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Started By
Message
Should I get away from using websites like hotels.com?
Posted on 5/4/17 at 2:51 pm
Posted on 5/4/17 at 2:51 pm
Hotels.com has treated me right over the years, but am I losing out on a ton of rewards by not breaking it up? I'm not a heavy traveler but I am trending upwards in that regards. TIA
10
Posted on 5/4/17 at 3:46 pm to jmarto1
You do a lot better with the rewards through the hotels. And when you use hotels.com or any other web booking site the staff at the hotel doesn't care at all if you have a bad experience.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 6:01 pm to Ham Malone
I've always noticed how they make it a point to say that I booked through a third party. What hotel chain is wide spread and has great rewards? I love Sofitel but I do not always want to pay Sofitel prices.
Posted on 5/4/17 at 6:32 pm to Ham Malone
quote:
You do a lot better with the rewards through the hotels. And when you use hotels.com or any other web booking site the staff at the hotel doesn't care at all if you have a bad experience.
I seriously doubt that most hotel staff give a shite.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 8:21 am to Ham Malone
quote:
You do a lot better with the rewards through the hotels
False. Hotels.com Rewards gives you a free night stay after every 10 nights, worth the average price of those 10. This is especially great if you often travel to places where you can't typically stay at a specific chain of hotels, which is usually my case. I've already redeemed two free nights and have another banked. That's hard to beat.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 12:17 pm to jmarto1
j,
I was talking to a guy in the Caribbean who owned the hotel I was staying at, he told me the amalgamators like hotels.com charge the hotels a fee for handling the bookings. He said in the future to call him directly for the cheapest rate. He didn't advertise the cheap rate because contractually he'd then have to honor it through the amalgamators and pay them the commission.
I was talking to a guy in the Caribbean who owned the hotel I was staying at, he told me the amalgamators like hotels.com charge the hotels a fee for handling the bookings. He said in the future to call him directly for the cheapest rate. He didn't advertise the cheap rate because contractually he'd then have to honor it through the amalgamators and pay them the commission.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 1:31 pm to speckledawg
This post was edited on 11/8/20 at 2:27 pm
Posted on 5/5/17 at 2:39 pm to jmarto1
Entirely depends what you get hotels for. For work? May as well stick to one brand for rewards. For fun? Depends. I do blind booking. I've gotten Le Pavillion twice for $68, 4 star hotels in Los Angeles and Chicago for $80, etc. But blind booking is paid and full and nonrefundable and nontransferable.
The only time I don't do blind booking is when I want a specific place or if there's a chance I'll need to cancel.
I don't really do the brand loyalty thing because boutique and locally owned hotels are a major preference of mine. And those can be obtained through blind booking. They also run specials during certain times of the year. Almost all New Orleans hotels are 25%+ off throughout September. So I book direct if there's a certain one I want there.
The only time I don't do blind booking is when I want a specific place or if there's a chance I'll need to cancel.
I don't really do the brand loyalty thing because boutique and locally owned hotels are a major preference of mine. And those can be obtained through blind booking. They also run specials during certain times of the year. Almost all New Orleans hotels are 25%+ off throughout September. So I book direct if there's a certain one I want there.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 2:43 pm to soccerfüt
Hotel staff have been saying that for years but I've never had a bad experience through blind booking (which I do through Hotwire). I've been upgraded 3 times total, actually. Last time I was in L.A., I had a this view for $80/night
When I was in San Francisco and realized all floors except the first didn't have AC, they moved me to a first floor handicap room without me even asking.
Last year in New Orleans I paid $50 per night and I was upgraded to a suite with a living room, bedroom, and two bathrooms.
When I was in San Francisco and realized all floors except the first didn't have AC, they moved me to a first floor handicap room without me even asking.
Last year in New Orleans I paid $50 per night and I was upgraded to a suite with a living room, bedroom, and two bathrooms.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 3:49 pm to LouisianaLady
I was upgraded to a king suite at The Reach in Key West (Waldorf Astoria) and my rate was knocked down $50 per night.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 5:59 pm to Paul Allen
I really do not care about the view. Upgrades are nice but I just need a place to shower and sleep. I'm looking to reduce costs on trips as much as possible.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 10:59 pm to jmarto1
Same for me. That's why I like knowing I have a free (or mostly at least) night after every 10.
Posted on 5/5/17 at 11:03 pm to Kraut Dawg
quote:
Certain credit cards also offer discounts if you link through them when booking. For example, with Discover, I can log in & go to Rewards. Click on the hotels.com link & book that way. You'll get 5% back on Discover Cash Back. You'll also get credit for the number of nights toward your tenth (know the restrictions). It's essentially 15% off of the hotel price.
Hadn't thought about checking on booking through certain CC portals. I just always use a CSP, so 2% there for travel and like you said basically 10% for the hotels.com rewards = 12% on every night.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 1:26 am to jmarto1
Many hotels will match your third party price.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 4:40 pm to jmarto1
I always go through a place like Air BNB, Home Away or VRBO, if we will e staying in one place for 4 nights or more. I can usually get a much nicer and bigger place for the same cost as a smaller hotel room. My wife and I traveled all over Italy that way, getting Condos and homes for what a hotel room cost.
It also allows you to cook in the room, if you want. I have NEVER had a bad experience going like that.
It also allows you to cook in the room, if you want. I have NEVER had a bad experience going like that.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 6:06 pm to jmarto1
quote:
I really do not care about the view. Upgrades are nice but I just need a place to shower and sleep. I'm looking to reduce costs on trips as much as possible.
I agree. Unless it's an anniversary or special occasion trip my only preference is cleanliness and safety. I don't spend a ton of time in a hotel room when traveling.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 6:10 pm to DawgsLife
Do fees like cleaning, parking, and service add up on those sites?
Posted on 5/7/17 at 6:46 pm to jmarto1
quote:
Hotels.com has treated me right over the years, but am I losing out on a ton of rewards by not breaking it up? I'm not a heavy traveler but I am trending upwards in that regards. TIA
If you're not traveling enough to gain status through one of the major brands, the only other option would be to play the credit card game. Chase sapphire reserve and the Hyatt credit card has been beneficial to me.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 7:17 pm to jmarto1
I'm perfectly fine paying half price for a hotel and not have the guy at the front desk give me a few extra smiles.
Posted on 5/7/17 at 8:41 pm to 632627
I have the CSR. So it sounds like I just need to stick with the package sites. I do wish Air B&B would come out with a bad arse credit card
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