Whether you are traveling for business or for pleasure, saving money wherever possible is always important. Travel expenses can add up quickly, but there are easy ways to reduce the costs associated with hotel stays. It takes very little time and effort to locate discounted hotel rates - you simply need to know where to look.

1. If you are traveling by plane, the first thing you should do when attempting to locate discount hotel rates is to check with your airline. Many airlines offer discount packages that include airfare, hotel, and rental cars. It is important to remember, however, that a rate is not necessarily a good deal just because it carries a discount label. Compare prices before you agree to any package, and do not sign up for service you do not need simply to get a discounted rate on your hotel room. If you will not need a rental car at your destination, it makes no sense to pay for one simply to save a few dollars on your hotel bill.

2. If no decent discount packages are offered through your airline, you can search online for special deals and coupons. Entering your destination and travel dates into the major search engines is likely to bring up websites offering deals. Additionally, many websites cater to travelers who wish to save money on their next vacation or business trips. A number of these websites have useful tools that enable you to sort your results based on travel dates, location, price range, and hotel extras.

3. Another simple way to locate cheap and discounted hotel rates is to call the hotel directly. Certain times of the year are more competitive than others, and if you are booking your room during an offseason, you can often find very affordable rates at both small and large hotels.

4. Although travel agents can be expensive, they often have access to the best deals before the public is even aware of them. If you are already using a travel agent for other aspects of your trip, be certain to ask about discount hotel rates. Agents are often motivated to sell packages that include hotel stays, and may even be willing to negotiate with you for a lower price.

5. The easiest way to find discounted hotel rates is to keep your travel dates as flexible as possible and to book your trip in advance. Advanced planning might not be possible for business trips, but it can save you a lot of money when you are planning your next family vacation.