No matter the price, a hotel should have fair booking policies, good customer service, and clean rooms. These tips will help you be sure to book a hotel room that meets all your needs.

Check out hotels on BBB.org. Read customer complaints and reviews. Keep a close eye on what problems other consumers identified and how they were resolved.
Plan ahead to get the best deals. Give yourself plenty of time to compare hotel prices. Consider their rates, amenities, and services. If you book far in advance, chances are you’ll score a cheaper hotel room than if you wait until the last minute.
If you book a hotel online, double-check the website. Make sure the site is secure before you enter your personal information. Pay with your credit card, just in case you need to contest any of the charges later.
Review the payment and refund policies before you book. Will your credit card be charged now or when you arrive at your destination? This will prevent any unexpected expenses after your hotel stay.

Should you book a hotel room through a third-party service?

When possible, it’s best to book your hotel directly with the hotel, motel, or resort. You will have peace of mind knowing your hotel reservation is legitimate. It will likely be easier to earn hotel loyalty points this way too. However, if you prefer booking through a third-party company, stay safe by keeping the following tips in mind:

Find the booking agency on BBB.org. Check if it’s a BBB Accredited Business and read customer reviews to determine its legitimacy.

Book your hotel room only through a secure website with a lock symbol in the web address and a beginning with “https.”

Ways to avoid hotel booking scams

Stay alert to some of the tell-tale signs of a travel scam.

Avoid broad internet searches like “best hotel deals” or “cheap hotels.” Broad search terms can sometimes lead you to websites that look official but aren’t.
Double-check websites before you book a hotel. Scam websites may use a hotel’s logo and copyrighted images, making the site look very real. Make sure the website address is correct, with no slight spelling differences, before you enter your credit card information.
If you receive unsolicited emails or text messages about free trips or travel deals that sound too good to be true, they probably are. Just hit “delete.”
Never pay for a hotel by wiring money or with prepaid debit cards. If someone asks you to pay using one of these methods, you’re probably dealing with a scammer.

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