Discount hotels, lodging and meals

• Check with the hotel if they have a frequent guest plan
• Ask about package deals
• If attending a conference, ask for the delegate rate

• Explore other options than hotels - homes, apartments, guest rooms and houses, B&B’s , sub-let or short-term ‘lease’-like agreements for example:
  
  Rent a Florida house for a month, staying with family or friends, relatives or business contacts, farmhouses, self-catering apartments, Monasteries and convents in Europe are also cheaper options
• Avoid big Hotel bills, try AAA memberships, family-friendly hotels, ask for a first floor room, as most have pools (if you are fearful for little children wandering around and falling in).

• For the budget conscious, select the neighborhood-friendly hotel that caters to the local crowd, not the pricy touristy options. You might be surprised at the value and hospitality you might find.

• Make the concierge your friend and information centre – they are the main link to the corner of the world you find yourself in. Get that special insider and local insights, tips and expertise at your disposal, waiting to make your trip and experience that more special and memorable.
  
  They can also offer some handy referrals and give ideas on what things might cost, book ground transportation and much, much more.

• There are always also hostels, YMCA, and YWCA’s that are clean, safe and reliable. If visiting multiple cities, picking one hotel chain might also be more convenient and save you time and money in the process.
• Ask about any reduced fares at hotels, consider last-minute check-ins – hotels are rarely really fully booked

Meals - reducing cost

• Continental buffet breakfasts are a great money-saver for large families.
• Eating in a supermarket deli-like counter proves to be much cheaper than fast-food locations or expensive restaurants