In a world where wanderlust often collides with budget constraints, finding ways to trim down travel expenses becomes an art form. You don’t have to rough it in tents, vans, or motels to save money. Booking.com offers more than just a wide array of accommodations. It is a trove of money-saving opportunities if you know where to look and how to book.

That is where I come in and that is why you are here!

After 3.5 years and counting of living life as an American expat, and booking 30+ hotels via booking.com, we’ve picked up on the best ways to save money and rack up points. When I book hotels for our trips, I always go through Booking. With its large hotel selection, map locator, filtering system, honest guest reviews, free Genius account memberships, and generous partnerships, this site has all the tools I need to find the perfect hotel for our travels. If we are traveling with family or a large group of friends and wish to stay together in one place, I may choose to look at Airbnb. But for everything else, I am booking on booking.com.

With more than 28 million listings in over 150,000 destinations worldwide, you’re guaranteed to find accommodations that are perfect for you. From Hotel Kempinski overlooking the Dead Sea to Villa Anica overlooking the Adriatic Sea, these were two of our favorites from our time traveling around Europe.

If you’re looking for 4 ways to Save Money on Your Next Booking.com Hotel, keep scrolling…

Step 1: Sign up for a booking.com genius account

Creating an account on Booking.com is a no-brainer. Becoming a Genius is the smartest choice for travelers looking to unlock exclusive benefits, including significant discounts and perks like complimentary room upgrades and late check-out options. With just five stays, users can elevate their travel experience, enjoying both savings and added luxuries through this rewarding membership program! The absolute best part is that it is free and your genius status never expires.

Step 2: Have you downloaded the Booking.com App?

In the age of smartphones, having the Booking.com mobile app is like having a personal travel agent in your pocket.

87% of travelers rated the mobile experience on Booking.com as number one for experience, in the travel industry.

The app not only provides a user-friendly platform for browsing and booking, but also comes with exclusive mobile-only deals. By leveraging these app-specific discounts, you can secure substantial savings that might not be available on the website. Some of the best hotel deals I have received have been on this app. If you book enough hotels, you even get credits added to your account. Influencer-girl math says the app gives you free money to go stay in a different part of the world!

Step 3: Check to see if you are a Miles & More member

If you're a frequent flier on Lufthansa and haven't explored the benefits of a Miles-and-More membership, now's the time to do so. Booking.com has partnered with Miles-and-More to offer exclusive discounts to its members. With Lufthansa’s Frequent Flyer program, you can earn 1 award mile for every 1 EUR you spend on hotel stays. Simply make your rewards booking through the dedicated Miles & More + Booking.com landing page. Once you add your Miles & More service card number to your booking, you will receive award miles credited to you automatically within a maximum of 60 days after your stay.

It's a win-win for those who are always on the move.

Step 4: Do you have an AMEX Platinum card?

If you do, you will be familiar with the 5x hotel points. What you may not know because AMEX doesn’t feature it on the travel benefits page is you get more discounts when you book a hotel through the dedicated AMEX + Booking.com landing page.

Possessing an American Express Platinum Credit Card not only exudes a sense of luxury but also unlocks perks, including substantial discounts on Booking.com. The partnership between Amex and Booking.com allows cardholders to enjoy special deals and promotions. Eligible Cardmembers in America get 30% off hotel bookings. Eligible Cardmembers in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East are to receive a 10% discount on select hotel bookings at Booking.com

For two more bonus tips, consider traveling in the off-season and booking in advance. A combo of these 6 tips will certainly save you the most money. Most hotels on Booking.com allow you to reserve and cancel up to a few days before. So when in doubt, just book to get the best rate. And if you need to cancel later, you can without any fees or hassle.

The image below shows how the prices vary across the various partnership pages and account levels using a hotel in Bastogne, Belgium as an example.

As a Non-Genius member using the desktop booking.com site, you’re going to spend €317
As a Booking.com Genius member using the Booking App, you’re going to spend €286
As a Non-Genius member using the Miles & More landing page, you’re going to spend €317 + receive 315 reward miles
As a Booking.com Genius member using the Miles & More landing page, you’re going to spend €286 + receive 284 reward miles
As a Non-Genius member using the AMEX landing page, you’re going to spend €293
As a Booking.com Genius member using the AMEX landing page, you’re going to spend €286 + receive 5X points

Booking.com with its array of partnerships and membership benefits, offers a unique opportunity to squeeze the most value out of your travel budget. So, whether you're a Miles-and-More enthusiast, an Amex Platinum cardholder, a mobile-savvy traveler, or aspiring to attain level 3 “Genius” status, the keys to substantial savings are in your hands.

If you take away just one thing from this post, it’s to sign up for a Genius account and book on their mobile app.

If you happen to sign up on Booking.com because of this post, I would love to hear from you. Please comment below or message me on Instagram if it you benefited from this post!