There is no doubt that you get the best hotel discount by being a member of a loyalty program. However, there is little point of becoming a Starwood Preferred guest, for example, if you don't travel very often. If you are one such individual, there are other ways of guaranteeing a good hotel discount. Odd as it may sound, if you avoid booking your accommodation through online travel agencies such as Travelocity or Expedia, you might actually save some money. Always visit the hotel chain website. Most hotel chains are doing well now, and this means they don't have to rely on travel sites as much as they once did. In the endeavor to entice clientele to their own website, some hotel chains currently offer online top rate pledges. If you can find cheaper rates elsewhere, various hotel chain websites will not only match the price, they will also provide an additional discount. Be smart when booking your hotel. To get the best possible hotel discount, shop around and compare rates before you make a decision.