Save: There are cheaper rates if you book early at Best Western Premier Hotels Source: National Features Locals can often get good deals at hotels such as Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. Picture: Supplied Source: National Features WITH hotel occupancy rates across Australia soaring, it has never been more important to find a good deal. We've consulted the experts to find out their secret tips on how to get the best hotel price. 1 Join a loyalty program Most major hotel groups and many booking websites offer loyalty programs that allow members to earn points for future bookings when they stay. Booking website hotels.com's loyalty program Welcome Rewards, for example, allows customers to earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 65,000 hotels worldwide. Accor spokesman Peter Hook says members of the group's LeClub loyalty program, which is free to join, also receive advance notice of sales three to four days before the general public. Members of Advantage Plus, which has a membership fee, also receive an extra 10 per cent off. Mantra Hotels and Resorts also offers members of its Club. CuSoon up to 50 per cent discount off rates at its brands Peppers, Mantra and Breakfree across Australia and New Zealand. Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program for Hilton Worldwide's portfolio, offers the chance to earn and use points at nearly 4000 hotels globally. 2 Take advantage of best-rate guarantees In a bid to encourage guests to book direct, many hotels offer guarantees