39 Tips That'll Save You Hundreds on Your Next Trip

Becoming a loyal member of a hotel chain will get you lots of benefits, such as discounted prices, better service, and the ability to collect reward points toward a free hotel stay. And if you play your "I'm a loyal member" card and negotiate, you can even get a full refund on your money when you cancel your stay. I've had to do that a couple times and saved a ton of money in doing so.

Some of the more famous hotel reward programs include Marriott Bonvoy, Priority Club, and Hilton HHonors. And there is good news for those who prefer independent hotels. Turns out, boutique hotels group together to form their own loyalty programs; check out Stash Hotel Rewards and Voila Hotel Rewards.