HotelPlanner CEO Henschel reveals strategies to save on travel costs

Favoring corporate hotels and secondary airports

According to Henschel, the best savings come from targeting corporate hotels, especially Marriotts and Hiltons located near office parks. With business travel slowing dramatically during the holidays, these properties face historically low occupancy and offer the best deals. Meanwhile, high-demand resorts—whether beach, mountain, or luxury brands like the Breakers or Boca Raton Resort—will be close to sold out and priced at seasonal peaks.

He says the same logic applies to air travel: “Avoid major international hub airports. Look for secondary carriers flying out of secondary airports. Those corporate commuter routes are where you can snag a better airfare,” he told.

When asked which destinations are seeing the biggest holiday surges, Henschel pointed directly to the nation’s major hubs—JFK, LAX, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago O’Hare. All of them rely on hub-and-spoke networks, drawing heavy international and domestic traffic and driving up prices.

But quieter airports, such as Palm Beach International or San Diego, often offer lower fares because carriers are trying to attract travelers. Surprisingly, Las Vegas also remains affordable in December. “It’s not high season—those big pool parties are closed. Then you can still catch great entertainment and better hotel rates,” he said.

For travelers hoping to score extra savings, Henschel recommends booking packages rather than standalone hotel rooms. Corporate hotels often discount inventory through third-party package sellers to protect their public pricing. Loyalty points may also stretch further during the holidays, and “name-your-own-price” tools can deliver significant deals.

One thing travelers can’t count on: price adjustments after booking. “Most people choose nonrefundable fares,” he noted. “Once you book those, you’re locked in.” Henschel’s message is clear: choose the right airports, look for corporate hotels, and take advantage of discounted package deals.

To watch the video, click on this link.