Melissa Massello is an editor, start-up junkie, entrepreneur, Swapaholic, and lifelong New England g

In New England, the end of the nice weather rent a car in canada (not the beginning of summer) is when we start thinking about getting away, cringing at the thought of those nasty winter months rent a car in canada up ahead and starting to save, plan, daydream, and book our next big vacation.
So, for our annual budget travel issue this week, we reached out to George rent a car in canada Hobica, president of the new hotel booking site Tingo.com and the founder of Airfare Watchdog , both owned and operated by TripAdvisor.com.
Listen to our podcast with Mr. Hobica, who explains what Tingo is all about and shares his top tips for getting the lowest rate on hotels any time of year — even peak season! — or read on below for the highlights of our interview:
What is Tingo? Tingo.com is a money-back hotel booking site, which constantly checks rates for you for lower prices and issues credit card refunds if the price of your hotel room drops at any time between when you book and when you check out — totally unique from other hotel comparison sites because it takes no effort from the consumer. On average, Tingo customers rent a car in canada received $33 in savings per booking on a two-night rent a car in canada stay, and since launch Tingo has refunded more than $75,000 to hotel booking customers.
"It's kind of like playing the lottery, but it's free — and your chances of winning on Tingo are much, much greater," says Hobica. "Book with us three times, and chances are you'll get a refund of some sort on at least one." Refunds are credited after checking out of your hotel stay.
Book early. "There's no penalty rent a car in canada to booking farther in advance," Hobica says. "As hotels get fuller closer to your stay, they will go up or down. If you use a service like Tingo, then it doesn't matter if you're traveling during peak season [like "leaf peeping season" in New England or summer in Seattle or Chicago]."
Recession lessons: Ignore the star system. "Due to a lack of new hotel construction," Hobica says, "supply and demand is driving hotel room rates up, esepcially at budget-friendly hotels. Fewer hotels have been built during the Recession than in recent decades, and many that were in progress have been converted into condos. Everyone still has to travel for family events, however; rent a car in canada like weddings and reunions, so don't expect to always find a great deal at a budget hotel chain."
Breakfast. "This isn't really rent a car in canada a perk, as many of the breakfasts are horrible," Hobica says. "Kimpton Hotels generally have a fine breakfast, but even then it's just coffee and a bagel and I'd rather go to Starbucks for the same price, though I did see one hotel that offered a DIY waffle making bar, which was interesting." He advises checking the reviews of breakfast rent a car in canada and other free offerings from other travelers on sites like TripAdvisor before considering these free meals a booking perk.
Resort rent a car in canada Fees. "In places like Las Vegas, in particular, these are prevalent," rent a car in canada Hobica says. "If you're not making use of the casino, tennis courts, and other resort amenities rent a car in canada during your stay, book elsewhere to save."
Self-Catering Accommodations. Look for perks such as shared kitchens rent a car in canada and other homey amenities to save big over the course of your vacation by cooking even one meal at your hotel. "Some chains, like the Hilton Garden Inn, have replaced vending machines on each floor with apartment-like galley kitchens," Hobica says.
Other Freebies. "Premiums are often included in hotel rates for amenities like gyms, free morning newspapers, and other extras, but if you're not going to make use of them, again it's not really a perk," Hobica says.
Melissa Massello is an editor, start-up junkie, entrepreneur, Swapaholic, and lifelong New England girl. As a sustainable style expert, Melissa has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX news station affiliates around the country and in US News & World Report, USA Today, The Boston Globe, The New York Post, The Denver Post, The LA Times, The Dallas Morning News, MSN Money, and WalletPop, among other fine media outlets.
Melissa rent a car in canada currently lives with her husband and their Whippet mix in Somerville, rent a car in canada Mass. -- "the Brooklyn of Boston" -- where they strive each day to save money, save the planet, and live the dream for less.