There are hundreds of ways you can book accommodations from using smartphone apps to going online and planning your entire trip. Though each of these methods have their own benefits, there are a few secrets that you can use to add even more benefits to your plans. Here are four hotel secrets that you should know before you book your hotel and start your vacation.

Understand Hidden Terms of Third Party Booking

If you plan on using a third party booking agent for your hotel accommodations, then you need to consider the hidden terms. One of the most common relates to refunds on canceled reservations. If you book directly with the hotel you can usually upgrade or downgrade if your room is unavailable and if other rooms or available or receive a full refund if you need to cancel the room reservation.

If you use a third party booking service, then you may not be able to receive a refund for days or even weeks. You also will have to receive your refund from the third party rather than the hotel. This usually means that any accommodation changes or cancellations are out of the hotel owner's hands.

Get More Space for Your Money

If you are looking for a larger room then consider booking a corner room or a handicap room. These rooms generally offer more space for the same price as standard rooms. This is ideal if you plan on traveling with children and need some room to spread out or to house a portable crib.

Negotiate for Discounts

There are some things that a hotel can negotiate for you. For example, if there is a problem instead of asking for the moon and stars consider more comfortable options. If you have an issue, consider asking for the hotel breakfast option instead of the free breakfast that comes with all the rooms. You can also ask for things like free shuttle service if the shuttle service charges a fee. These types of options are easier to offer discounts on than giving a huge discount on a room or room free of charge to fix a problem.

Avoid Using Hotel Phone Services

If you have a cell phone, use it instead of the hotel phone services. The hotel phone services can be as much as double what you normally would pay. This is charged to your room and must be paid when you check out and settle any outstanding bill. If you don't have a cell phone, consider buying a prepaid option to use on the trip in order to save money. Also, ask which cell towers are in the area to ensure you get a phone that will have signal.

These are just four things that you should know before you book the accommodation. If you are ready to book your hotel, contact accommodations like Motel Travelway directly and begin the process.