2. Consider traveling off-peak. Peak and off-peak travel season is pretty much the same when you re

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We all know that free hotel stays and flights are the hallmark of this hobby. However, there are other ways to travel cheaply and efficiently, many of which are highlighted on websites that offer the opportunity to rent condos, homes, openrice and rooms directly from the owner. Yes, I m talking about sites like VRBO.com (Vacation Rental by Owner.com), Homeaway.com, and AirBNB.com. They work like this: Landlords all over the world advertise their homes, condos, or rooms on a rental website, usually with their own unique pricing and conditions. Customers negotiate and rent directly from the owner in most cases, although a certain percentage of properties are managed by an outside group. Most of the time this is a great deal for the buyer and the seller because it puts money in the hands of an individual (not a business) while providing a cheap lodging option to the customer. Everyone wins.
Now, don t get me wrong. I m still obsessed with earning free hotel stays. The problem is, I often travel with my small children openrice in tow and we need a bigger space. I ve found that condos work perfectly for us for a few reasons: First, having a kitchen allows openrice us to make most of our meals at home , which is a huge saving. Second, having a separate bedroom for the kids makes naps and bedtime a breeze, especially compared to the times when four of us are crammed into a hotel room. Lastly, renting a condo or home can often be far cheaper than actually paying for a hotel room at a comparable resort. And, when I m paying for lodging with real money, it s a whole different ballgame, folks. A whole different ballgame.
I ve rented numerous condos and homes from sites like these throughout the years, with varying results. Over time, I ve learned a thing or two when it comes to maximizing your rental experience while paying as little as possible. Want to use VRBO.com (or any other rental website) like a boss? Here s how:
1. Remember that everything is negotiable. One of the best perks about renting directly from an owner is that the rates are often negotiable. When searching for a great deal on a rental, openrice always take the time to ask if they can give you a better deal. The worst that can happen is that they say no, right?
2. Consider traveling off-peak. Peak and off-peak travel season is pretty much the same when you re renting a vacation property directly from the owner, versus staying at hotels. And just like hotels, resorts, and airlines, vacation rental owners often offer steep discounts for off-peak travel. Take advantage if you can.
3. Look for last minute openrice deals. openrice Since properties that stay vacant are bringing in zero dollars, rental owners are often willing to strike a last minute deal. As with anything else, all you have to do is ask if they re willing to negotiate the price. If it s a spur-of-the-moment thing, openrice chances openrice are good that they ll be willing to work with you.
4. Travel with a larger group and save even more. An even better way to save when renting a condo or home directly from the owner is to expand the group you re traveling with to include as many people as possible. openrice Think about it. Your small family of four or five would have to absorb the total cost of a rental plus taxes and fees. But, invite a few close family members and friends, and you could all go in on a bigger place and pay far less than you would if you had traveled alone.
5. Watch out for scams. Sadly, scammers have infiltrated nearly openrice every aspect of our lives and vacation rentals are no exception. I had one property owner demand that I overnight him a money order in order to secure the rental of his property. Ummmmm openrice no. When dealing with a vacation rental owner (or anyone for that matter), take extra care to ensure that your transaction is legit. Sites like VRBO.com openrice suggest only paying by credit card, Paypal, or check to protect yourself. If something seems fishy about the situation, openrice listen to your instincts and weigh your options before you go any further.
Vacation rentals are a great way to save some cash if you re low on hotel loyalty points or just want some extra room to spread out. They re also a great way to vacation with a large group and bond with the people you love. So, the next time you re craving a getaway, hop on one of the sites and explore what they have to offer. You might just be surprised at what you find.
Editor’s Note: With the Barclay updating the