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Free mini course Book a Cheap Hotel with a Discount on Booking.com
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Free mini course Book a Cheap Hotel with a Discount on Booking.com

by Rotterdam Balloon Company, 2024-09-11

Disclaimer: We receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Do you want to book hotels cheaply while taking advantage of attractive discounts? In this free minicourse, you'll learn how to save money on Booking.com through smart strategies and discount programs like Genius, Secret Deals, and End-of-Year Deals. Additionally, you'll discover how to save even more with discount codes and travel coupons, whether you're looking for a luxury hotel or a budget-friendly option.

Whether you're searching for a last-minute stay or planning your vacation well in advance, this minicourse will help you find the best deals and book hotels with significant discounts. Start today and learn how to easily save money on your next Booking.com reservation! Not only in Rotterdam but all over the world.

Module 1: Introduction to Booking.com

Welcome to this course where you'll learn how to book hotels cheaply with discounts on Booking.com. By making smart use of the Genius loyalty program, booking strategies, and seasonal discount codes, you can save a lot on your stay. Let’s begin with the basics of Booking.com and how you can take advantage of these discounts.

Book your cheap hotel with discounts on Booking.com

Module 2: Genius Discounts and How to Get Them

2.1 What is the Genius Program?

The Genius program on Booking.com is a loyalty program where the more you book, the more access you get to exclusive discounts and perks. Genius offers three levels, each providing additional benefits:

2.2 Genius Level 1

With Genius Level 1, you immediately receive a 10% discount on selected accommodations. This discount is automatically applied when you log in and search for hotels that participate in the Genius program.

2.3 Genius Level 2

After five completed bookings within two years, you qualify for Genius Level 2. This offers even more benefits, including:

  • 10-15% discount on selected stays
  • Free breakfast at selected stays
  • Free room upgrades, when available

2.4 Genius Level 3

Genius Level 3, the highest level, is reached after 15 completed bookings within two years. This offers the best perks, including:

  • 10-20% discount on stays
  • Free breakfast at selected stays
  • Free room upgrades
  • Priority Customer Service for all stays

Discover the best Genius discounts on Booking.com

Module 3: Smart Booking Strategies

In addition to using Genius discounts, there are smart booking strategies you can use to find cheap deals on Booking.com. Here are some key tips:

3.1 Use Flexible Dates

Hotel prices can vary greatly depending on your travel dates. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you can easily find the cheapest prices. Use Booking.com's "flexible dates" feature to see which days are cheaper.

3.2 Last-minute Bookings

Hotels often offer last-minute deals to fill their rooms. If you're willing to book on short notice, you can benefit from significant discounts.

3.3 Book Early for Seasonal Discounts

During peak seasons, prices can rise, but if you book well in advance, you can still take advantage of lower rates and cheap offers.

Save with last-minute deals on Booking.com

Module 4: How to Use "Secret Deals" and Partner Discounts

4.1 What Are Secret Deals?

Secret Deals are exclusive discounts available only to logged-in Booking.com users. These discounts can be significant and are usually applied to hotels trying to fill rooms without publicly lowering their prices.

4.2 How to Access Secret Deals

  • Always log in to your Booking.com account to access Secret Deals.
  • Look for hotels with the "Secret Deal" label. These offers are usually temporary and can disappear quickly, so book fast to take advantage of these discounts.

4.3 Partner Discounts

Booking.com partners with various companies, such as airlines and banks, to offer additional discounts. These could be special rates for customers paying with certain credit cards or through an airline program.

Find Secret Deals and partner discounts on Booking.com

Module 5: Practical Tips for Safe Booking

5.1 Always Check the Full Price

Make sure to check the total price of your stay before booking. Watch for additional fees like tourist taxes, cleaning fees, or parking charges. Booking.com usually displays this information on the booking page, but it’s important to read everything carefully.

5.2 Choose Flexible Cancellation Options

If you're unsure about your travel plans, choose a hotel with free cancellation. This gives you the flexibility to cancel or change your booking without extra costs.

Module 6: Practical Exercise and Booking

6.1 Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Hotel with Discounts

In this exercise, we will book a hotel with Genius discounts:

  1. Log in to your Booking.com account.
  2. Search for hotels at your desired destination and select the "Genius discounts" filter.
  3. Choose a hotel that participates in the Genius program and look for extra perks like free breakfast or room upgrades.
  4. Review the booking page and ensure all discounts are applied correctly before confirming your reservation.

In this case study, we’ll book a hotel in Paris, a popular destination where prices can rise quickly. We will use Genius discounts, flexible dates, and Secret Deals to get the best possible price.

  • Search for hotels in Paris with Genius discounts and compare prices.
  • Use flexible dates to see if prices are lower on other days.
  • Choose a hotel with free breakfast and try to find a Secret Deal for additional savings.

Module 7: End-of-Year Deals – How to Benefit from Seasonal Discounts

7.1 What Are End-of-Year Deals?

Every year, Booking.com offers special End-of-Year Deals, allowing you to save 15% or more on participating accommodations worldwide. These discounts are available for stays between October and early January.

7.2 How to Access End-of-Year Deals

End-of-Year Deals automatically appear in your search results when you search during the promotional period. You don’t need to enter a code; the discount is applied to the pre-tax price.

Book now and save with End-of-Year Deals on Booking.com

Module 8: Discount Codes for Booking.com

8.1 What Are Discount Codes?

Although Booking.com rarely offers discount codes directly, there are third-party sites that actively search for valid discount codes. These codes can give you extra savings on your booking and are typically shared through promotional websites or newsletters.

8.2 How to Find Valid Discount Codes

The easiest way to find valid discount codes is by searching online. A handy way to search is through Google with the query "Booking.com discount code". You can use this link to search: Search for discount codes on Google.

Discover discount codes for Booking.com

Module 9: Referring Friends – Program Ended on October 15, 2019

9.1 What Was the "Refer a Friend" Program?

The "Refer a Friend" program allowed users to invite friends to book through Booking.com. If both the referrer and the referred person completed a booking, they each received a reward.

9.2 End of the Program

The program officially ended on October 15, 2019. Bookings made before this date were still eligible for rewards, but bookings made after October 15 no longer received any rewards.

Module 10: Travel Coupons and Rewards via Booking.com

10.1 What Are Travel Coupons?

Travel coupons are a type of reward offered by Booking.com through their reward partners. With a travel coupon, you can save money on your next booking. These coupons have a monetary value and can be redeemed in your Booking.com Wallet.

10.2 How to Redeem Travel Coupons

  1. Receive your coupon code from a Booking.com reward partner.
  2. Log in to your Booking.com account and go to the Wallet section.
  3. Enter the coupon code to add the coupon value to your Wallet.
  4. Use the balance in your Wallet to pay for your next booking.

Redeem your travel coupons on Booking.com

Bonus Material: Extra Discounts

11.1 Save on Car Rentals with Genius

As a Genius member, you also receive a 10% discount on selected car rentals. This applies to all Genius levels. Use this discount when planning to rent a car during your trip.

11.2 Reward Points and Partnerships

Booking.com partners with various reward programs, such as frequent flyer programs. These partnerships can provide extra discounts or points, offering you even more savings on future bookings.

Conclusion: Save on Your Next Booking with Booking.com

Now that you’ve completed the free minicourse "Booking Cheap Hotels with Discounts on Booking.com," you’re fully equipped with tips and strategies to book cheap hotels and take advantage of the best discounts. By making smart use of programs like Genius, Secret Deals, End-of-Year Deals, and discount codes, you can save money on both budget and luxury accommodations. Don’t forget to redeem your travel coupons and rewards in the Booking.com Wallet for even more benefits.

Whether you’re planning a short city trip or an extended vacation, it’s now easier than ever to get the most out of your hotel booking and save on every stay. Start applying these techniques now and enjoy your next adventure while paying less for more comfort!

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Marcel Vermeer

About us

Because of our work with the Rotterdam Balloon Company, we have the privilege of visiting the most beautiful places in Rotterdam and in addition to wanting to be the balloon specialist of the municipality of Rotterdam, we decided in 2022 to share my love for the city with others and to write a blog about Rotterdam.

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