Misleading hotel ad prices banned – how to find genuine deals

Adverts from four major hotel and travel companies - Travelodge, Hilton, Accor and Booking.com - have been banned in the UK for using misleading ‘from’ prices.

Why were the ads banned?

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received complaints that these companies promoted unrealistically low ‘from’ prices, even though only a tiny number of rooms were actually available at those rates.

The ASA ruled that this misled customers looking for fair deals and prevented them from making informed choices.

Fortunately, there are ways to get genuinely cheaper hotel deals.

Here’s how:

1. Use comparison sites

Before making a booking, visit hotel comparison websites to find the most competitive prices. These platforms search multiple sites at once, helping you spot the best deal.

Popular options include:

• Kayak 
• Booking.com 
• Expedia 
• Hotels.com
• Trivago

2. Join loyalty programmes

Many hotel chains and booking platforms offer free loyalty schemes, similar to supermarket reward cards.

Sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com often offer perks such as:

• free nights after multiple stays
• exclusive member-only discounts
• priority customer service

Signing up is free and can lead to long-term savings.

3. Check the hotel's own website

Don't rely solely on third-party platforms. Visit the hotel’s official website to compare prices, as sometimes they offer exclusive deals, free upgrades or perks like complimentary breakfast for direct bookings.

4. Travel during off-peak times

Timing your trip right can save you a lot of money, as hotels often drop prices when demand is lower.

If you can, consider:

• booking mid-week instead of weekends
• travelling outside of school holidays
• avoiding peak tourist seasons

5. Use cashback and voucher sites

Websites like Quidco, TopCashback and VoucherCodes can offer cashback or discount codes when you book through certain platforms.

Be sure to:

• check the cashback percentage
• read the small print on eligibility
• combine cashback with discount codes if allowed

6. Choose budget accommodation

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, consider:

• budget hotel chains like Premier Inn or Ibis
• hostels are ideal for solo travellers and those seeking a social atmosphere
• guesthouses or B&Bs are often family-run and more affordable
• apartments on platforms like Airbnb can be cost-effective for longer stays or groups

7. Book early, but not too early

Timing your booking is key. You may find better deals by:

• booking 2 - 3 months in advance for popular destinations
• checking last-minute sites like LateRooms.com for spontaneous getaways
• setting up price alerts to track fluctuating rates

8. Try negotiating directly

Believe it or not, haggling still works! Call the hotel directly and ask for a better deal, especially if:

• you’re booking a long stay
• you're part of a large group
• you’re celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon or wedding

Mentioning competitive offers you’ve seen online can also give you leverage.

9. Follow hotels on social media

Many hotels post flash sales, last-minute deals or special promotions on their social media pages or via their newsletters. Follow your favourite brands and sign up for alerts so you never miss an offer.

10. Look for package deals

Sometimes, booking your hotel as part of a flight and hotel package can result in savings.

Sites like Lastminute.com or TravelSupermarket bundle offers that can work out cheaper than booking separately.

By using these strategies, you can stretch your travel budget further and enjoy more for less.