Money

Expert trick to save on your hotel bill with one email

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Ahron Young

Travelers are constantly seeking ways to cut costs without compromising on comfort.

Enter a savvy trick that could save you a significant chunk on your next hotel booking – all with just one email.

Jason Higgs, the Senior Deals Strategist at Bountii, unveils a simple yet effective strategy to score a discount on your hotel stay.

What Happens When You Use An Official Booking Website

Booking accommodations through popular platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com has become second nature for many travelers.

These platforms offer convenience, a plethora of deals, and secure booking processes.

However, what many may not realize is that hotels pay a commission fee, typically between 15% and 20% of the booking amount, to these booking websites.

Hotels embrace technology amid rising infestations

Who You Should Email And What You Should Ask

After making your reservation through a booking website, Higgs advises reaching out directly to the hotel via email. Inquiring whether they can offer a lower rate if you book directly through them could yield surprising results.

Hotels, keen to avoid paying hefty commissions, may be inclined to offer a discount, often around 10%.

The Implications For Your Cancellation Policy

Booking directly with the hotel might not only save you money but could also lead to a more favorable cancellation policy. Some hotels extend more lenient cancellation terms, potentially allowing for a full refund if canceled within 24-48 hours of your stay or even within 24 hours with a valid reason.

Draft Email Template You Can Adapt

To simplify the process, Higgs provides a template for the email you can send to hotels:

[Template]

*Dear Sir or Madam,*

*On [date], I made a booking using [the website you used, e.g., Booking.com]. Here are the details:*

*Booking Reference No.:*

*Check-in and check-out dates:*

*Name/s:*

*No. of guests:*

*Room/s booked:*

*Reservation status: [confirmed or pending]*

*Total reservation price:*

*Additional information:*

*I would like to know whether I could secure a discount if I book my stay directly through you, rather than [booking website]. If this is possible, please provide the new price and instructions on how to proceed.*

*I look forward to hearing from you shortly.*

*Best regards,*

*[Your Name]*

Higgs emphasises that there’s nothing to lose by sending the email, and the potential benefits for both parties are significant. So, next time you’re gearing up for a trip, don’t forget to hit ‘send’ on that money-saving email – it could make all the difference.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

19 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

19 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

2 days ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker