Finding and booking the right hotel can make or break your trip's budget.
Your lodging is likely a big portion of your overall costs. After all, the average daily rate for a room in the U.S. was $168 per night in March, according to real estate data group CoStar. And costs are on the rise: hotel prices increased 4.3% year-over-year in April, according to the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Price Index.
Booking your stay through the right platform can help keep expenses down, freeing up more funds for adventures and experiences. And apps can give users a simple experience they can use on the go.
Below, CNBC Select looks at our favorite hotel booking apps that can help make your trip planning simple. (See our methodology for more on how we picked the best hotel booking apps.)
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Best for a last-minute hotel: Hotel Tonight
Who's this for: Hotel Tonight helps you find last-minute deals from a selection of curated hotels while also earning credit you can use with Airbnb, making it a great option for those who stay in both hotels and vacation rental accommodations.
Standout benefits: The brand's app has been highly rated in Apple's App Store for its ease of use and convenience, including earning an Editor's Choice award.
Hotel Tonight
Standout features
Book over 1,000 mid- to upscale hotels across the U.S. and the world that have been handpicked by the app.
Rewards
Offers a credit equal to 10% of every booking you make through the app to use on Airbnb.
App rating
4.9 out of 5 stars with 584,000 reviews on Apple App Store
4.3 out of 5 stars with 70,000 reviews on Google Play Store
Pros
- Each hotel booking earns credit with Airbnb
- Highly rated iPhone app
Cons
- Booking only available through the app
Best app for booking a surprise hotel: Hotwire
Who's this for? If you're not looking for a specific brand and are open to learning where you'll stay after you book, Hotwire's deals help you book upscale hotels affordably. These discounts could help you get an experience you might otherwise miss.
Standout benefits: While you won't know the exact name or address of your hotel, Hotwire's map feature makes it easy to narrow your search to specific areas, so you can be in the neighborhood of your choice.
Hotwire
Standout features
You can find upscale hotels at affordable prices with this app, which offers blind bookings. While you won't know specifically which hotel you'll get, you'll know several brands that it could be. The site states that it offers four-star hotels for the price of a two-star hotel, so you'll likely get a good bang for your buck. In addition to hotels, you can book cars, flights and packages.
Rewards
No traditional rewards program, but does offer app-exclusive deals and exclusive discounts.
App rating
4.8 out of 5 stars with 145,000 reviews on Apple App Store
3.9 out of 5 stars with 16,000 reviews on Google Play Store
Pros
- Easily choose neighborhoods and locations in the app to narrow your search
- Hot Rates deals can make upscale hotels affordable and accessible
Cons
- Must download the app for best prices
Best app for booking cheap resorts: Costco Travel
Who's this for? Costco Travel can help members find deals on a variety of resorts, including luxury and all-inclusive properties. You can even book full travel packages including flights and rental cars to make planning easy.
Standout benefits: Those with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can earn 3% cash back on airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruise lines booked with Costco Travel.
Costco Travel
Standout features
While only available to Costco members, Costco Travel is a travel agency that allows you to book hotels, resorts, flights, cruises and other experiences. All-inclusive options are available, and travel packages are handpicked by Costco's travel experts.
Rewards
Some vacations allow you to earn digital shop cards that can be redeemed at Costco Wholesale or online at Costco.com, and Executive Members who purchase directly from Costco Travel earn a 2% Reward after travel is completed.
App rating
4.9 out of 5 stars with 1.2 million reviews on Apple App Store
4.7 out of 5 stars with 407,000 reviews on Google Play Store
Pros
- Earn rewards you can spend on everyday essentials with Costco
Cons
- No travel-specific app, but you can browse and book trips within the Costco app
Read more: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Review
Best app for international hotels and resorts: Agoda
Who's this for: Based in Singapore, Agoda is a standout booking platform for travel throughout Asia. However, it has a wide variety of accommodations available around the world, including destinations in Europe and the U.S.
Standout benefits: You can also earn Agoda Cash to put toward future stays on some properties that have partnered with the booking site. Agoda also offers discount codes in the app for additional savings.
Agoda
Standout features
Agoda searches over 3.9 million hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and even villas and homes worldwide to help you find the accommodation that's perfect for your trip. The platform offers low rates on monthly stays and package deals that include flights.
Rewards
Properties with the Agoda Cash symbol in their listing allow you to earn funds you can put towards future stays on the platform. Unlocking AgodaVIP status can also help you save more on select properties.
App rating
4.8 out of 5 stars with 175,000 reviews on Apple App Store
4.6 out of 5 stars with 2.2 million reviews on Google Play Store
Pros
- Can allow you to earn cash towards future stays
- Booking is available via the app and web browser
Cons
- Shows prices per night before taxes
Read more: The best international phone plans
Best app for variety: Booking.com
Who's this for? If you also want to compare Airbnbs or VRBOs, Booking.com shows hotels, vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts all in one place.
Standout benefits: Booking.com's Genius rewards program can help you earn 10% off at some properties just for signing up.
Booking.com
Standout features
Booking.com searches hotels, guest houses/vacation rentals, and other types of accommodations worldwide to help you save on travel.
Rewards
Booking.com's loyalty program, Genius, allows you to get up to 10% discounts on stay (before taxes and fees) at it's most basic tier. And, those who complete 15 bookings in 2 years can save up to 20%.
App rating
4.8 out of 5 stars with 2 million reviews on Apple App Store
4.8 out of 5 stars with 4.9 million reviews on Google Play Store
Pros
- Rewards program's 10% discount is automatically available just for signing up
- Can help you search a mix of properties quickly
- Lists total prices including fees when you search
Cons
- Prices shown don't include tax
How to book an affordable hotel
Booking a hotel that fits your budget is possible, but you might need to do some work before you find the best deal.
Checking a comparison site or aggregator, like those listed above, can help you see a wide variety of options. Trying a few apps can help you see many price points, accommodation types and possible properties.
Once you've found a few options that fit your criteria, check the hotel's site directly. Sometimes hotels offer lower prices on their own websites than elsewhere, so it's worth a look.
Use the right credit card to book your hotel
Use travel credit cards to your advantage when you book, from getting your trip insured to earning rewards and free nights.
In fact, some credit cards will cover your bookings with travel insurance. This can help in certain situations, like if you have to cancel your trip due to an unexpected illness or injury in your family, or if you're injured or ill abroad and need to seek treatment. CNBC Select has previously named the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as two of our top picks for credit card travel insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
You might be able to earn free nights and other extra rewards with hotel-branded credit cards. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a free night award every year after your card renewal month.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium hotel card that gives you high-level elite status, dining credits and a Free Night Award every year.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months and an extra 50,000 bonus points after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
And, The World of Hyatt Credit Card also offers one free night award on each account anniversary, as well as one additional night after you spend $15,000 during a calendar year (terms apply.)
Hotel booking FAQs
What's the best way to book a hotel affordably?
Using an aggregator tool to browse options in your price range is a good way to start. For domestic U.S. travel, we recommend using tools like Hotel Tonight and Booking.com to see a variety of options. Then, compare prices, including the cost of booking with points or miles, as well as the price of the hotel when booked directly through the property's website.
Is it cheaper to book directly through a hotel?
It can be cheaper to book a stay directly through a hotel or resort's website, but it's always a good idea to shop around before you pay for a stay.
How can I save money on my hotel booking?
A great way to save money on your hotel booking is to be flexible: If you're not tied to a certain property or neighborhood, using a tool like Hotwire can help you get a deal on a property you might otherwise not consider. While you won't know before you book which exact property it is, you'll get information on the general area, hotel reviews and ratings and cost (including any fees) to help you decide if it's a fit.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviewed more than a dozen top travel aggregator apps with hotel availability in the U.S., focusing on room site functionality, discounts, the ability to earn rewards, and pricing transparency.
We assessed based on the following features:
- Site functionality: Ease of use on desktop, as well as mobile app features. We considered the star rating and number of reviews for each app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Discounts: We reviewed the discount opportunities available through each app, including frequency of coupon codes and additional, stackable discounts.
- Rewards programs: We looked at the ability to earn rewards on these apps and websites, prioritizing those that let you accumulate rewards over time.
- Pricing transparency: We prioritized apps that showed transparent pricing, prioritizing those that included a trip's total cost including fees in search results.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on these criteria, we chose the best hotel booking apps and sorted our picks by:
- Best for booking last-minute: Hotel Tonight
- Best for a surprise hotel: Hotwire
- Best for cheap resorts: Costco Travel
- Best for international travel: Agoda
- Best for variety: Booking.com
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For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, click here.
