Whether you’re planning a trip to celebrate the holidays, or need to head out of town for business, it’s always nice to know where you’ll be staying.

When you travel, the last thing you want to do is wait until you arrive at your destination to book a hotel or accommodation. This can be problematic if you’re visiting an area that’s popular with tourists or if there are special events happening during your trip.

Thankfully, it’s easy to pre-book a hotel room in advance of your departure date. Here are 12 things to keep in mind when pre-booking your accommodation before a trip: