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Booking Sites vs Booking Direct - Thoughts?
Posted on 9/8/25 at 10:25 am
Posted on 9/8/25 at 10:25 am
Anyone have any issues with booking sites vs directly with the airlines? Historically, I've always booked direct, but I have seen some price differences up to $500 on an upcoming trip. Any tips?
14
Posted on 9/8/25 at 10:35 am to TD422
I never use booking sites, I always book direct.
Some people are comfortable with it and deal with that, but I like to deal direct and accumulate points etc.
Some people are comfortable with it and deal with that, but I like to deal direct and accumulate points etc.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 10:40 am to TD422
I use booking sites to search then will contact directly.
I started doing this with airbnb too. And that saves a ton on fees. Most people name the property and then you search by that name.
Though many times you'll get a better deal from an aggregate site. I've also booked and showed up only to find out that property didn't get the info from booking.com so i prefer to book direct unless I'm saving a good bit.
I started doing this with airbnb too. And that saves a ton on fees. Most people name the property and then you search by that name.
Though many times you'll get a better deal from an aggregate site. I've also booked and showed up only to find out that property didn't get the info from booking.com so i prefer to book direct unless I'm saving a good bit.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 11:15 am to TD422
Personally I think it depends on where you are and what type of trip it is
If I'm just going to Houston for a weekend, I'll book through a 3rd party. If the worst case happens, and I show up and the hotel has no idea, I'll just hop to one of the many other options around and figure it out later
When I took the family to Europe for 2 weeks last year, I damn well booked everything directly through the airlines and hotels. I had no desire to be sitting in a foreign country and trying to figure out a flight issue through Expedia or whatnot
If I'm just going to Houston for a weekend, I'll book through a 3rd party. If the worst case happens, and I show up and the hotel has no idea, I'll just hop to one of the many other options around and figure it out later
When I took the family to Europe for 2 weeks last year, I damn well booked everything directly through the airlines and hotels. I had no desire to be sitting in a foreign country and trying to figure out a flight issue through Expedia or whatnot
Posted on 9/8/25 at 11:18 am to TD422
I have only booked direct for 20 years, with the exception of VRBO for beach trips. I've watched too many people trying to check into a Marriott brand and having problems. You can see the inevitable retreat from the front desk, sit in the lobby, and pull out the phone to call Priceline/Expedia/Travelocity/Booking and try to sort out a problem.
I frankly don't give a damn about the price difference, I want to be in the room I booked, when I booked it, without issues.
I frankly don't give a damn about the price difference, I want to be in the room I booked, when I booked it, without issues.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 11:20 am to TD422
Always book direct.
When something goes sideways on your trip and American tells you to "call Priceline" because it's their ticket, you'll see why.
When something goes sideways on your trip and American tells you to "call Priceline" because it's their ticket, you'll see why.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 11:21 am to TD422
We book direct since I had an issue with a cancellation
Posted on 9/8/25 at 12:18 pm to ecb
Usually book direct, but if I'm using my Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I'll sometimes book through that to maximize points use.
I'm going to Chicago in a few days, booked my SWA flights with points transferred to my SWA account, booked my hotel with points in my Chase account.
I'm going to Chicago in a few days, booked my SWA flights with points transferred to my SWA account, booked my hotel with points in my Chase account.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 12:56 pm to TD422
Just depends. I check both to see which one has the best price.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 2:11 pm to TD422
I book direct, both for any issues that I come across with the airline + points/status accumulation through my United CC.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 2:59 pm to OldManRiver
quote:
If I'm just going to Houston for a weekend, I'll book through a 3rd party. If the worst case happens, and I show up and the hotel has no idea, I'll just hop to one of the many other options around and figure it out later
Exactly this. I used to travel from Houston to San Antonio often and did Priceline and Hotwire for rooms in the 281/410 area. You can almost figure out exactly which hotel you will get. I saved a ton of money.
I'm taking my mom to NYC in October and looked at rooms on booking . com for rates and then contacted the hotel directly. They gave me a cheaper rate than the 3rd party. It doesn't always happen that way, but I won't go 3rd party unless I'm familiar with the area and pretty much know what I'm getting.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 3:33 pm to TD422
I have used Expedia a number of times, for example when my research indicates that the best flights for me involve multiple airlines. I have never had a problem with them.
I book direct whenever possible.
I have had hotels tell me that they would give me a better deal if I did not use a middleman.
I book direct whenever possible.
I have had hotels tell me that they would give me a better deal if I did not use a middleman.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 4:15 pm to H2O Tiger
quote:
When something goes sideways on your trip and American tells you to "call Priceline" because it's their ticket, you'll see why
This is my fear. But booking sites are a good bit cheaper, in some cases. I wonder if I can haggle with the airlines based on pricing found on booking sites?
Posted on 9/8/25 at 4:25 pm to TD422
quote:
I wonder if I can haggle with the airlines based on pricing found on booking sites
Good luck with that.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 5:26 pm to TD422
I always book direct with airlines. There really isn't enough rate difference these days to take the chance of something going wrong. If you book though a booking site or a travel agent, the airline will not work with you at all. You have to deal with your booking site or travel agent.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 5:43 pm to TD422
I always book flights direct. I rarely book lodging direct. It has never been a problem over many years and trips.
Posted on 9/8/25 at 10:39 pm to TD422
quote:
I wonder if I can haggle with the airlines based on pricing found on booking sites?
I mean this sincerely, it sounds like you don't travel much. With that being the case, you definitely should be booking direct.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 6:20 am to TD422
quote:
This is my fear. But booking sites are a good bit cheaper, in some cases. I wonder if I can haggle with the airlines based on pricing found on booking sites?
You need to look closer. 3rd party “Outside Travel Agents” make a percentage on top of what the direct company has to offer, usually that’s in the 14-20% range. So while you may occasionally find some sort of special offer, this is not going to be routine. If you are routinely finding the price cheaper you have to be doing something wrong when trying to book direct.
I went to Europe once and found Flights plus hotel for cheaper than just the flights. So I understand it does happen. But that’s extremely rare. Again, the 3rd party is adding someone to the party that has to make money also.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 6:34 am to TD422
Like must everyone else, I’ll do it for domestic travel but learned my lesson the hard way with international.
There is too much consolidation of flights leading up and the third party websites don’t have the a flight options to get you rebooked.
Had an itinerary change that required a change in booking for a trip to Greece. The Priceline/expedia or whatever option was fly home 4 days later. That was the only option. I ended up having to reroute through another city and book a ticket myself from Newark. All this to say, if you’re going international, as painful as it is, book direct.
There is too much consolidation of flights leading up and the third party websites don’t have the a flight options to get you rebooked.
Had an itinerary change that required a change in booking for a trip to Greece. The Priceline/expedia or whatever option was fly home 4 days later. That was the only option. I ended up having to reroute through another city and book a ticket myself from Newark. All this to say, if you’re going international, as painful as it is, book direct.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 7:14 am to TD422
Never had any issues using third party sites when I used to book hotels that way. Never had enough confidence to put my air travel in a third party’s hands though.
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