1. Book accommodations in advance (our youth club booked three AirBnB houses in April at reasonable rates, a good coaching staff knows who's going to qualify based on talent)
2. Craigslist - A lot of students will sublet their apartments on the down low since they will be empty during summer. I essentially paid some kid's rent for a month during Worlds and got 10 days lodging for $1500 and stocking his beer fridge vs. $5000+ for hotel room.
3. If you wait, then you are at the mercy of market pricing.
4. PLANNING and COMMITTING. I am sort of surprised how many people are not familiar with these concepts. It's not like JO, Trials, Olympics, or Worlds are suddenly announced two weeks before they happen.
5. If you truly love it, then it is a priority. People will overpay for a college degree from Name Brand University, a status car, impressive homes, fancy furniture, a wedding, etc. to impress total strangers but the complain that their passion costs too much to enjoy.