What travel booking site do you use?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always booked flights through Orbitz but now I'm nervous reading the above posts!

For accomodations, I did know that hotels don't value third-party sites, so I always do it directly (although, I'm sure a place like Costco would be fine)

It just costs them money since the third party takes a cut; that's why they prefer you go directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That, apparently, gives the lowest status/priority and makes you the first one to bump in an oversell.

It's not just flights. I worked in the hotel industry and guests who booked through a third party site such as Expedia are not valued as much as those who book directly through the hotel. I've had instances where we'd have to walk guests to the closest property because the hotel is completely booked. Hotels give favoritism to those who book directly.

Agreed.
I will use Orbitz for hotel and rental car availability and I use Google Flights for airline availability but I always go directly to the provider’s site to actually book the reservation. If you ever have to make a change to an existing reservation and you used a 3rd part site the actual provider will not deal with you. They will push you off to the 3rd party that you booked with. At least that was my experience and once was enough to convince me to book direct. Also, I never have to pay more than the price I find online to book direct.
Third party sites are great for seeing what’s out there but always book direct with the actual provider.

Currently google flights sends you to the airline site to buy so checking them for airfares is still the best and safest.

[Anonymous]

I just used momondo for some overseas flight and local flights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That, apparently, gives the lowest status/priority and makes you the first one to bump in an oversell.

It's not just flights. I worked in the hotel industry and guests who booked through a third party site such as Expedia are not valued as much as those who book directly through the hotel. I've had instances where we'd have to walk guests to the closest property because the hotel is completely booked. Hotels give favoritism to those who book directly.

Don’t they pay for the room when you get walked? That’s fine by me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sight of the company I am actually going to use.

Yes always book direct. For searching I use a variety of sights until I’m convinced I have the best deal.

[Anonymous]

Kayak is my go-to and then directly thru airline site.

For hotels - depends on the type of trip. For a weekend tournament in Richmond, I might go through Booking.com, but our annual vacation - I'm going thru the hotel's website.

[Anonymous]

Depends. Google flights to get the best price, and then the airline itself if the deal (or something near to it) is available through them, otherwise whatever site it’s available through.

Hotels usually booking.com or Hotwire depending on how confident I am with the city I’m visiting. I really like booking.com for international hotels.

[Anonymous]

I also only book direct for hotels and plane tickets. I booked a hotel room through expedia once and received ZERO marriott points because I didn't book directly through marriott. I'm all about my points, so this hurt.

If there's a cheaper price on Expedia or another site, book through marriott and then file a claim informing them that you found a cheaper price. Marriott will match the price AND give you a 20% discount! I'm familiar with Marriot's policy and assume most hotel chains do this.

[Anonymous]

I use https://travelsites.com/ mostly, the only advertising free service with the most complete and comprehensive navigation, contains detailed list of sites for booking, cheap flights, car rental, travel blogs and forums, currency converters, etc. I used booking.com before, but since I discovered TravelSites there is no need to check it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Chase sapphire travel site or direct with hotel if that's not possible.

[Anonymous]

I check so many websites when booking flights, hotels, and cars and then book w/whoever has the best deal or directly w/the company if there’s no price difference. My most frequented travel sites are Southwest, Expedia, Amtrak, Costco, ihg rewards, vrbo, and Airbnb.

[Anonymous]

kayak and google flights to search flights - usually buy directly from airline's site;
booking.com, airbnb, tripadvisor to search/book lodging - sometimes hotels.com too

[Anonymous]

I never book flights through airlines unless SWA. I use orbitz or Amex if using points.

Hotels: always through hotel website

[Anonymous]

I book direct. I don't want to be trapped anywhere and having the travel site and the vendor both shrugging their shoulders and not claiming responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never book flights through airlines unless SWA. I use orbitz or Amex if using points.

Hotels: always through hotel website

So what do you use for airlines?