The 5 best affordable hotel brands for your next trip

Travel is becoming a major expense in 2026, however you plan to get there. Gas prices are up: As of May 22, a gallon of regular gas averaged $4.55 nationally , a 42% increase year over year, according to data from AAA . Costs are also up for those who fly: Domestic economy ticket prices were up 30.2% while international tickets were up 21.7% between May 2025 and May 2026, according to data from travel booking platform Kayak . While you can't control these increases, you can find ways to reduce your travel budget through the price of your hotels. While many brands offer affordable hotel accommodations, several also stand out for good customer experiences and excellent amenities. Below, CNBC Select rounds up some of our top picks for affordable hotel brands across the U.S. (See our methodology for more on how we chose the best affordable hotel brands). Talk to us Are you living paycheck to paycheck, or do you have a financial success you're comfortable sharing with a reporter? Please fill out this quick form . The best affordable hotel brands Best for families: Wingate by Wyndham Information about Wingate by Wyndham Hotels has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. Loyalty program affiliation Features Wingate by Wyndham hotels often have free breakfast and WiFi. Additionally, mobile check in is available at some locations. …