Black Friday is all about sales, but the key is knowing where to find the best ones. Read our ultimate guide on how to save big on Black Friday hotel deals.
Black Friday used to be associated with scenes of over-the-top consumerism. Think people lining up for hours in front of stores before they open, eager to take advantage of discounted prices.
If you’re a savvy traveler looking for a deal, this is your chance to visit your dream destination for less — whether that’s New York City, Mexico (Cancun, anyone?), London, the Caribbean, or the Maldives. But you’ll have to do some research first. Below, we explain how you find the best Black Friday deals when planning your next trip.
Do hotels offer Black Friday sales?
Black Friday promotions have gained significance in the travel industry. Major hotel chains have gotten in on the action in the past, offering Black Friday hotel deals.
Here’s a peek at past hotel deals that major chains offered:
- Accor provided up to 25% off stays booked over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period.
- Citizen M offered up to 33% off stays booked during the Black Friday window.
- Club Med advertised discounts of up to 60% off higher-tier room categories at various ski destinations during Black Friday.
- Marriott offered Marriott Bonvoy members up to 20% (15% for non-members) when booking during the Black Friday weekend (for stays through January of the following year).
- IHG offered deals and bonus points (up to 10,000!) on a two-night stay if booked by November 29.
- Hilton focused on Cyber Monday, offering up to 20% off advance purchases. They’ve also had property-specific deals, like the Hilton New York Times Square offering 25% off, plus breakfast! (Psst, check out some romantic NYC hotels).
- Viceroy hotels offered a whopping 35% off on certain resorts.
These names cover some of the most well-known hotels and inclusive resorts worldwide, from Canada to Punta Cana. It’s not just the big chains that offer great deals, even boutique chains like Rosewood are getting in on the action.
Your perfect stay awaits at the lowest prices on Skyscanner. That’s because we search for deals with the world’s leading hotels and let you compare them all in one place, with no added fees to book. You can count on a transparent search experience when using Skyscanner to find the best Black Friday hotel deals.
How to find the best deals on hotels for Black Friday
While deals and offers change every year, previous years show a trend toward savings around Black Friday. Here’s how you can find the best deals:
- Start doing your research early. Start scoping out hotel deals in early November — you’ve already got a head start by reading this article! You can get an idea of what offers might be available this year by seeing what was available in previous years.
- Join hotel loyalty programs. In the past, some chains have prioritized savings for members of their loyalty programs. For example, Marriott’s Black Friday discount was 15% for non-members versus 20% for members. Sign up for hotel loyalty programs in advance to maximize savings.
- Sign up for newsletter alerts. Make sure you’re getting notifications about deals by signing up for loyalty program newsletters. And you can get the latest deals with Skyscanner’s newsletter.
- Read terms and conditions. While Black Friday savings can be great, they often come with fine print. Reading terms and conditions is essential. Focus on details like blackout dates, resort fees, and cancellation policies.
- Bundle up offers. Make the most of savings by bundling offers. For example, special offers can be supplemented with promo codes for even more savings. That said, read the fine print. You can’t always use codes with pre-existing special offers.
- Use Skyscanner. Finding the best deals on hotels is made easy with Skyscanner. Learn more in the next section.
How to find hotel deals on Skyscanner
Simplify your hotel deal search this Black Friday with Skyscanner. How does it work? Head to the Skyscanner hotel deals page, enter where you want to stay and your travel dates to get started.
Let’s say, for example, you’re looking for a hotel in Las Vegas with a pool or perhaps parking. Once you’ve clicked “search hotels” you will be able to filter by hotels that offer specific amenities. For example, you can check “free cancellation” in the search controls at the top of the page to only see area hotels that offer free cancellation. You can also search or filter by neighborhood to make sure you’re staying exactly where you want to be.
Skyscanner’s comparison tool makes it easy to compare properties and prices. When you click on a hotel property, scroll down to see offers from all the major sites — Booking.com, Agoda, eDreams, Trip.com — so you can make sure you’re getting the lowest rate. Don’t let your dream trip to Miami, Riviera Maya, or Los Cabos pass you by.
Understanding hotel loyalty programs and their perks
Hotel loyalty programs provide perks and discounts to members. For example, Marriott Bonvoy members get free in-room wifi and special member rates. Higher-tier members (who stay more nights and earn more points) get perks like free breakfast, lounge access, and late checkout.
Being a member of a hotel alliance or group can mean being offered members only perks – such as bonus points – during the Black Friday sales period, or it might mean being first to know of discounted rates.
At Skyscanner, we understand the value of loyalty programs for frequent travelers. That’s why we’ve structured our service to ensure you don’t miss out on these benefits. When you search for hotel deals through Skyscanner, we compare prices from all major hotel providers to get you the best deal at no added cost.
Once you’ve found the perfect place to stay, we redirect you to the hotel provider’s website to complete your booking. This direct booking process allows you to enter your loyalty program details, ensuring you reap all the rewards and perks your loyalty affords. So, not only do you save big on your accommodation, but you also continue to build rewards for future adventures. It’s a win-win situation for every traveler who seeks exceptional value and worthwhile loyalty benefits.
Tips for smart ways to save on hotels over this sales period
While Black Friday hotel deals can help you save, they aren’t the only way you can cut travel costs. As you look at your options, consider these best practices as a way to save even more:
- Check out off-peak travel. Yes, everyone wants to go to Italy in the summer and hit the slopes of Aspen in winter. But going off-season will usually mean the best-available rate — and there’s still plenty to enjoy in beautiful locations even when it’s not peak season. Plus, you won’t have to deal with huge crowds, which can mean a more unique experience.
- Evaluate the entire package. Don’t always assume that the lowest price is the best deal. See what comes with each offer, such as resort credits, inclusive airport transfer or free breakfast. In some cases, you might come out on top paying more for a room but getting other perks that save you money elsewhere, like on food.
- Consider alternative locations. There are certain locations that unfailingly attract lots of visitors like Barcelona and Tokyo. As a result, they tend to cost more. Look for alternative options to the tourist highlights. For example, instead of Paris, you might look at Lyon. Or instead of Miami, Florida, try nearby Fort Lauderdale. Check out these underrated city trip destinations for inspiration.
Why you should consider researching flights and hotels together
Focusing on the comprehensive cost of your travel by researching hotels, flights, and car rentals together is a wise approach to ensure that savings made on hotel deals aren’t negated by expensive flights or car rental rates. A holistic view allows you to balance the costs and find the most economical combination.
Investing time in research is key to making the most out of potential deals and ensuring that each aspect of your trip is budget-friendly. Our platform simplifies this process by providing a one-stop shop for comparing prices on hotels, flights, and car rentals, making it easier to weigh your options and choose the most cost-effective arrangement for your adventure.
Tip: Our guide to Travel Tuesday flight deals is a good starting point.
Inspiration for where to go
Now the big question is: Where to go? The world is your oyster, and there are a lot of options to choose from. Our research into travel trends for 2024 found the cheapest places and top-value, five-star stays, including:
- Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Malaysia, this buzzy city features modern skyscrapers, beautiful parks (Butterfly Park is a highlight!) and bustling shopping streets. Leave plenty of time to sample the spicy street food.
- Hoi An. Jump back in time with a visit to Vietnam’s Hoi An, an ancient town full of historic sights. From the night markets to nearby An Bang beach, there’s lots to discover.
- Chiang Mai. Pass on Bangkok this time around and head to Chiang Mai instead. The Thai city is famous for its gorgeous temples and elephant rescue parks. The white temple is definitely a highlight.
Exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations
Sometimes the key to saving — and to seeing something new — is going off the beaten path. Skip Western European cities like Amsterdam and head east to destinations like Tirana, Albania, or Brno, Czech Republic. Take the famous cable car in Tirana and hike nearby Gamti Mountain. In Brno, visit the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and marvel at the Spilberk Castle.
There’s plenty to see in these less popular bucket-list destinations, plus you won’t have to deal with the crowds. Enjoy a more authentic experience by looking beyond the usual tourist highlights and exploring alternative options.
Ready to discover the unseen and save big on your accommodations? We’ve curated a list of hotel deals in these unique destinations just for explorers. Unveil exceptional hotel deals and start planning your next adventure to the lesser-known jewels of the world!
Use Black Friday hotel deals as gifts or for special occasions
With the holiday season on the horizon, use Black Friday hotel deals as unique gift opportunities. Give your loved ones an experience they’ll never forget — like a ski trip in Colorado or a tropical getaway to the Bahamas to escape the winter chill.
You can gift a Christmas or New Year’s stay, for example, or get a head start planning a romantic Valentine’s Day escape. Wellness retreats, spa hotels, and all-inclusive beach resorts can be a great option, allowing you to give someone the perfect relaxing vacation so they can rest and recharge.
Making the most of Black Friday hotel offers
Black Friday deals aren’t just for getting the latest flat-screen TV or household appliances. The travel industry also caters to value hunters, with hotels offering discounts and perks for globetrotters booking around this time. From discounts on rooms to free breakfasts and extra points, bargain-hunters have a lot to look forward to.
To make the most of hotel Black Friday deals, do your research and prepare in advance. Joining hotel loyalty programs can maximize discounts, while best practices like booking during off-season can get you even better deals.