“I never book through a third-party channel,” Panchal said. “There is nothing worse than showing up to a hotel to check in only to learn that they have been oversold, and most likely it’s the third-party bookings that will be walked first.”
“Third-party online travel agency rates are also ineligible for extra perks and hotel loyalty points, so although they may be slightly discounted, the lack of additional amenities often outweigh booking through those channels,” he added.
That means you’re more likely to get an upgrade or have a specific room request honored if you book directly with the hotel.
“I have also noted that the OTA room blocks are often the less desirable inventory of the hotel,” George said.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use these services to your advantage.
“I start by checking rates on popular third-party OTAs, but I never finalize my booking there,” DeLucca said. “After identifying the best rate using VPN or incognito browsing mode, I call the hotel directly. Often, hotels are willing to match or beat the third-party rate to avoid paying commission fees and secure the booking directly.”
They don’t consider only the busiest travel seasons.
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