8 Strategies to Find a Hotel in Overbooked Destinations This Summer

This summer's travel season is shaping up to be hectic.

As reported by TPG in March, flight prices in 2024 are slightly lower than during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn't mean demand is dropping. In fact, travel numbers have already hit new highs: On Memorial Day weekend Friday, the TSA screened a record-breaking 2.9 million passengers. Airlines have responded by ramping up capacity and adding more frequent flights to popular spots like Spain and France.

While we've seen a variety of flight deals — both domestic and international — for summer travel and beyond, hotel discounts have been much harder to come by.

One possible reason is that hotels can't simply expand their capacity as easily as airlines can or quickly build new properties to meet surging demand. For instance, adding more seats to flights, like those to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, is much quicker than constructing new hotels.

"This year, European travel demand has surged, with more US travelers searching for trips there compared to last year," said Haley Berg, lead economist at the booking platform Hopper.

But there's good news. Here are eight strategies to help you secure a hotel room in crowded, sold-out destinations this summer.

Consider using a third-party booking website

While we usually advise against booking through third-party sites (since it can be harder to make changes directly with airlines or hotels), platforms like Expedia or apps such as HotelTonight might help you score last-minute deals or find savings.

"When booking through third-party platforms, travelers should be aware that they may forgo hotel loyalty benefits, and their stay won’t count toward earning points or stay credits," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel research firm Atmosphere Research.

That said, OTAs can still be a great option when hotel availability is low or prices are through the roof.

"Many airlines collaborate with sites like Booking, Expedia, and others for hotel options. These rates may come with discounts or offer bonus airline miles," Harteveldt explained. "It's worth checking these options to find hotels that match your needs in terms of location, quality, price, and amenities."

Before booking, always review the terms and conditions. If you’re reserving for a major event like the Paris Olympics, using an OTA could leave you without a room if something goes wrong. When you book through a third party, any issues must be handled by them, not directly with the hotel or airline, which can complicate things as they act as a middleman.

Call the hotel directly to confirm your booking and availability.

If you prefer booking directly with the hotel, consider calling the property if you can't find availability online — there may be rooms available that aren’t listed on the website.

"Search engines aren't always 100% accurate, and you might have room to negotiate a better rate if you're willing to put in the effort," said Ellie Nan Storck, TPG’s managing editor of hotel content.

If you're already in the city where you want to stay, visiting the hotel in person and speaking with the front desk could also be a viable option.

Explore other accommodation options

If you're struggling to find a room with your usual hotel brands, Harteveldt suggests exploring options outside the familiar chains.

"Accor Group has a strong presence across Europe, and NH Hotels, based in Spain, operates several brands with a wide range of properties from budget to luxury," said Harteveldt, who researched hotels for a recent two-week European trip. "StarHotels, an Italian-based chain, offers properties throughout Italy and other major European cities. Premier Inn, based in the U.K., provides affordable to midrange options in many cities."

If you're open to alternatives to traditional hotels, consider home rental platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, or Kindred, which is a members-only home exchange network.

"Vacation rentals can be a great option, especially for families or larger groups," Berg noted. "They can also provide unique experiences in different destinations."

Keep in mind that some destinations have set regulations for short-term rentals, which can affect minimum or maximum stay lengths, Harteveldt pointed out. While these services aren't always cheaper, prices vary by market, so it’s worth checking if you can find suitable properties in your desired location. Also, be aware that these platforms often charge additional cleaning and service fees per rental.

If staying at a hostel brings back memories of your college days, rest assured there are upscale options now, including private rooms. TPG recommends Generator Hostels, which offer boutique-style accommodations across Europe and the U.S., with both shared and private room options. Plus, you can sign up for its newsletter and get 10% off publicly available rates.

Similarly, travelers should consider apartment hotels — a concept more common in Europe than in the U.S., according to Harteveldt.

Also known as "aparthotels" or "serviced apartments," these accommodations combine the comfort of an apartment with hotel-style services, such as front desk support and professional housekeeping. If you’re planning for the 2024 Olympics, consider services like Paris Perfect.

Stay flexible

Managing your travel expectations and being flexible with your dates and destinations is key, especially during peak travel seasons.

"This summer, I’m focusing my European trip on Central Europe — specifically Poland, Austria, Slovakia, and Bavaria — to avoid the crowds in Paris, Spain, Italy, and Greece," said Matt Moffitt, TPG’s senior credit cards editor.

If you're set on visiting a particular country, Ellie recommends staying open-minded about which specific destinations to explore.

"If you’re set on the Amalfi Coast but find no available hotels, look into other stunning Italian coastal spots just one to two hours away," she suggested.

It may not be ideal, but if you're open to flexibility, consider booking a different hotel each night within the same city instead of staying at one place for your entire trip.

Similarly, look into accommodations near airports, which are often well-connected to the main city via public transport.

"Hotels near airports tend to be more affordable. See if there’s commuter service to a nearby suburb with lower rates," said Tanner Saunders, TPG’s senior hotels reporter. "You might have to take a 30-minute train ride, but the savings can be significant."

Keep in mind, just because you've flown into one city doesn’t mean you need to stay there for your entire trip, Berg advised.

"If hotels are scarce or expensive in one area, consider renting a car and exploring more of the country," she suggested. Berg also recommended searching for deals outside the city center. "You might find better options on the outskirts or in a nearby town."

If you haven't booked your flight yet and have flexible travel dates, consider adjusting your trip to the fall shoulder season. During this time, flights and hotels to certain destinations, including Europe, are typically cheaper than in peak summer.

"By traveling in September instead of peak summer months, you can take advantage of off-peak prices and avoid large crowds fighting for the same hotel rooms," said Berg.

Look for hotels with non-dynamic pricing

When hotel rates are excessively high, try finding a property that uses non-dynamic award pricing, meaning rates won’t fluctuate based on demand.

Wyndham and Choice offer points-based hotels with non-dynamic pricing. Hyatt also has an award system where deals can be found, though it’s increasingly shifting to peak and off-peak pricing. Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy tend to be more expensive on points when cash prices are high.

Earn points

This tactic works best if you have at least three to four months before your trip. Consider opening a new credit card with a sign-up bonus. Travel rewards credit cards often offer substantial welcome bonuses for meeting a spending threshold within the first three months of account opening.

Additionally, depending on the time you have, you can enroll in a hotel loyalty program to start earning points for future stays leading up to your big trip.

Look for deals

From organizations like AARP offering travel discounts on hotel stays to the annual $200 prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts statement credit provided with The Platinum Card® from American Express (requires a two-night minimum stay), there are several ways you might already be eligible to offset your hotel costs.

If you're not already using perks like these, a simple way to save is by staying at hotels that offer free breakfast, such as Embassy Suites. Another tip is to check into a hotel Monday through Thursday instead of over the weekend, as rates tend to be higher for Friday and Saturday check-ins, according to Berg.

Reserve a refundable hotel

If you find a hotel with availability but it’s priced higher than you want, consider booking a refundable room. You can then continue monitoring prices in the area to see if they drop.

"I’ve noticed that some hotels lower their rates anywhere from five days to two weeks before my arrival date. When this happens, I book the room at the reduced rate and cancel the original reservation," Harteveldt explained. "However, some hotels have extended their cancellation windows, sometimes up to seven days before arrival, likely to guard against this practice."

Unfortunately, there's no Google Flights-like tool for hotels that alerts you when a tracked property's price drops. However, you can set a reminder on your phone to check the rates every few days.

Final thoughts

While this summer is expected to be especially busy for U.S. airports (and hotel prices are reflecting that), these tips can help you secure a room while saving money.

Most travelers book their flights first and then their accommodations. However, it can be beneficial to book a refundable flight that you can cancel if you find a better deal later. Remember, U.S. airlines allow free cancellations within 24 hours of booking; after that, it depends on your fare type's conditions.

"If you haven't booked your flight yet, it’s just as important to shop around for hotel rates, given the high prices for both airfare and accommodations. Sometimes, shifting your flight by a day or two can lead to significant savings," Harteveldt explained. "Also, if you have flexibility in your itinerary, consider adjusting your hotel check-in and check-out dates to reduce costs. I did this for my trip to Italy and saved 20% on my hotel."

If you're planning to book during peak travel periods, like this summer, it’s a good idea to first check hotel availability in your destination to make sure there are options within your budget.