Travel is becoming a major expense in 2026, however you plan to get there.
Gas prices are up: As of May 22, a gallon of regular gas averaged $4.55 nationally, a 42% increase year over year, according to data from AAA. Costs are also up for those who fly: Domestic economy ticket prices were up 30.2% while international tickets were up 21.7% between May 2025 and May 2026, according to data from travel booking platform Kayak.
While you can't control these increases, you can find ways to reduce your travel budget through the price of your hotels.
While many brands offer affordable hotel accommodations, several also stand out for good customer experiences and excellent amenities.
Below, CNBC Select rounds up some of our top picks for affordable hotel brands across the U.S. (See our methodology for more on how we chose the best affordable hotel brands).
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The best affordable hotel brands
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Best for families: Wingate by Wyndham
Wingate by Wyndham Hotels
Loyalty program affiliation
Wyndham Rewards
Features
Wingate by Wyndham hotels often have free breakfast and WiFi. Additionally, mobile check in is available at some locations.
Amenities
Many properties have a pool, and all include a fitness center.
Who's this for: Wingate by Wyndham properties often offer more affordable rates than hotel brands with comparable amenities, including pools and free Wi-Fi. They also offer a free hot breakfast, making the morning easy.
Standout benefits: The Wyndham Rewards Earner credit cards from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts can help you earn points on gas and groceries, getting you free nights faster.
Starting rate near Chicago for July: From $149 per night
Starting rate near Atlanta for July: From $150 per night
Starting rate near New York City for July: $256 per night
Best for couples: Tru by Hilton
Tru by Hilton Hotels
Loyalty program affiliation
Hilton Honors
Features
All Tru by Hilton locations are pet friendly and feature a free, hot breakfast. Hilton's Price Match Guarantee can help you get the best price on your direct booking
Amenities
Lobby with board games and a market, as well as a fitness center.
Who's this for? Tru by Hilton has a modern feel with a low price point, and the rooms are just the right size for two adults. All locations are pet-friendly and the lobbies often include workspaces for those catching up on emails on the go.
Standout benefits: Hilton Honors members get discounted rates and can earn points on certain purchases that they can cash in for free nights.
Starting rate near Chicago for July: From $109 per night
Starting rate near New York City for July: From $183 per night
Starting rate near Atlanta for July: From $107 per night
Best for retirees: Microtel by Wyndham
Microtel by Wyndham Hotels
Loyalty program affiliation
Wyndham Rewards
Features
Free continental breakfast and WiFi. Some properties have suites with a kitchenette.
Amenities
Many properties include free on-site parking, a pool and a fitness center.
Who's this for? Selected as a top choice for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power, Microtel by Wyndham also offers a 10% discount for AARP members, a program geared toward people over 50.
Standout benefits: Members of the Wyndham Rewards program can earn 10 points for each $1 spent or 1,000 points per stay, whichever is greater. And, free nights start at 7,500 points.
Starting rate near Chicago for July: From $65 per night
Starting rate near Atlanta for July: From $156 per night
Starting rate near New York City for July: From $241 per night
Best for solo travelers: Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Express
Loyalty program affiliation
IHG One Rewards
Features
Free hot breakfast with coffee available 24/7.
Amenities
Many properties have fitness centers available all day, as well as a market and a pool.
Who's this for? Holiday Inn Express properties strike a balance between clean and affordable. At this hotel chain, you'll also be able to grab a complimentary breakfast, a plus if you're looking to save. Solo travelers can be on the move more frequently, according to the commercial travel platform Lighthouse Intelligence, which makes Holiday Inn Express' many locations a bonus. There are 2,900 Holiday Inn Express locations and more than 7,000 locations managed by its parent company, IHG Hotels and Resorts, worldwide.
Standout benefits: Holiday Inn Express is part of the IHG® One Rewards program, which can help you earn points to use at properties that span from affordable domestic hotels to luxury properties around the world.
Starting rate near Atlanta for July: From $87 per night
Starting rate near New York City for July: From $276 per night
Starting rate near Los Angeles for July: From $159 per night
Starting rate near Chicago for July: From $161 per night
Read more: The Best Hotel Rewards Cards for Beginners
Best for traveling with pets: Best Western
Best Western Hotels
Loyalty program affiliation
Best Western Rewards
Features
Over 1,200 Best Westerns are pet friendly. Plus, AAA, AARP and military discounts are available.
Amenities
Complimentary breakfast and WiFi.
Who's this for? Best Western has many pet-friendly hotels that welcome dogs up to 80 pounds. Additionally, the brand's pet fees are typically capped at $40 per day, making the chain more affordable than the $50 to $100 fees charged by many other hotel brands.
Standout benefits: This brand offers discounts for AAA and AARP members, as well as military members and people over age 55 — discounts that not all hotel brands offer.
Starting rate near Atlanta for July: From $90 per night
Starting rate near New York City for July: From $267 per night
Starting rate near Los Angeles for July: From $180 per night
Starting rate near Chicago for July: From $154 per night
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Cheap hotel FAQs
What is the best way to get cheap hotel rooms?
One of the best ways to find cheap hotels is to shop around. For example, aggregation sites like Google Hotels pull together prices from multiple sources, which can help you compare. Additionally, booking through the hotel directly could be the cheapest with some brands, but may not be at others.
Which cheap hotels have the best amenities?
According to our research, Tru by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, and Wingate by Wyndham properties tend to offer amenities such as pools and fitness centers while remaining affordable.
When is the best time to get cheap hotel rates?
Booking your hotel a week before your trip can help you save, as hotels don't always book up in advance. If you need to book months before your trip, signing up for loyalty programs and comparison shopping with an aggregator like Google Hotels could help you save. Some hotels also offer discounts for membership affiliations, like AARP or AAA.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best affordable hotels.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviewed more than two dozen top affordable hotel brands operating in the U.S., focusing on room cost, hotel availability, and discounts. We gathered price data from individual hotel brands' websites for a one-week trip in July 2026.
We also considered customer experience and satisfaction, using data from J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on these criteria, our picks for the best cheap hotel brands are:
- Best for families: Wingate by Wyndham
- Best for couples: Tru by Hilton
- Best for retirees: Microtel by Wyndham
- Best for solo travelers: Holiday Inn Express
- Best for traveling with pets: Best Western
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