How to Score the Best Last-Minute Hotel Deals for the Republican Convention

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If you’re still planning to attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland next week but haven’t booked your trip yet, hotel experts say you’d better act fast.

Just 24% of the city’s accommodations are listed as still available on Booking.com from July 18-21. The highest-rated available property is Stone Gables Bed and Breakfast, according to the site, which is conveniently located 7 minutes from the Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention will take place.

“Demand for accommodation within the city limits remains extremely high,” Booking.com spokesperson Joseph Moscone said via email, so it may be worth it to check venues outside the city proper for availability.

More Ways to Score a Room

If you’ve exhausted your options online or don’t have time to search around the web for the most affordable accommodations, don’t panic. You may be able to lower the price of a room by applying for your deserved discounts, like AAA or AARP.

You may also be able to put your travel rewards credit card to use by redeeming miles you’ve accumulated for a hotel room. Similarly, hotel rewards credit cards can help fund your stay. The Starwood Preferred Guest credit card from American Express (see a full review here), for instance, allows cardholders to earn double points at Starwood properties, such as the Westin, which can be redeemed for award nights starting at just 3,000 points per night. And Hilton’s HHonors Surpass Card, also from American Express, gives cardmembers access to room upgrades, which may nab you the type of room that you need if you’re traveling with a large group. (You can learn more about the best hotel rewards credit cards in America here.)

If you’re considering applying for a travel rewards credit card or something similar, it’s a good idea to check your credit score first, as this will help determine what kind of rates you may qualify for. You can view two of your credit scores, updated each month, for free on Credit.com.

At publishing time, The Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express is offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.

Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.

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Image: Arpad Benedek

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