I had my reservation cancelled when I walked in to check in once (%$# off, Casa Monica Resort in St Augustine...) -- the hotel was overbooked and I fought like hell (and even offered to throw a lot of money at it) but got nowhere. The manager told me that this is a reason to never book with a third-party site. He had to boot all of us first.

They got us a reservation at some dirty old motel several miles away from the cute downtown area and I was so irritated we literally went right back to the airport.

This doesn't bear on rewards, which you asked about but is still something to bear in mind.

Depends where it’s cheaper for same room and cancellation policy. I prefer to book direct with hotel but sometimes the price difference is significant. Also, sometimes the refund conditions can be better on 3rd party sites.

Interesting thread. I have read many warnings about booking direct.

I have had no trouble using www.booking.com both in the US and elsewhere. I hope that continues. I like the cancellation policy clarity. I like the clarity on price. I like the ability to include breakfasts and I like having multiple hotels for one trip on a single app.

Once an airport to hotel taxi ride was added free. What is not to like?

If I want an extended stay--I will go direct and try to wranlge a discount.

Also I have never yet stayed in an airbnb or vrbo. I like hotels and having someone at the desk. And cleaning--although daily cleaning is good for good in the US.

I travel frequently but have never found hotel points useful or usable. I prefer to select hotels in a brand-agnostic way with an emphasis on locations and reviews.

I like TripAdvisor reviews but have never booked through TripAdvisor.

Is this really a question in 2025

Then you didn’t get the same room type as what’s on the direct channel.

I work for a major hotel company with online travel agencies (otas). We have a dedicated team that watches our hotels prices and confirms that the OTAs are not undercutting the direct channel price, so as to be in compliance with their contract with us. Our hotels are 99% compliant. (Big local chain).

The only reason these channels exist is for people who don’t know any better to comparison shop across multiple brands. Google can tell you the same thing. (But then, book direct)

PP here. I am actually talking about better price for the same room category. I am well aware that everyone on DCUM insists you get better price on hotel website, but I haven't seen that to be the case in my personal experience.
As it happens, I booked 2 hotels just yesterday - one major chain and one luxury boutique - and both times 3rd party site had noticeably better price than hotel website, for same room category. In the case of the boutique hotel, there was a -20% offer, and the 3rd party price was still better!

Probably it's because I have certain member level on the 3rd party sites that I tend to use, so I get extra discounts.

Always direct. And we try to keep to 2 hotel brands to get loyalty points.

Anonymous wrote:I always get a better price through 3rd party, so I almost always book through them.

Wait, actually, ONE time in 20+ years of travel booking did the hotel website have the best price.

Then you didn’t get the same room type as what’s on the direct channel.

I work for a major hotel company with online travel agencies (otas). We have a dedicated team that watches our hotels prices and confirms that the OTAs are not undercutting the direct channel price, so as to be in compliance with their contract with us. Our hotels are 99% compliant. (Big local chain).

The only reason these channels exist is for people who don’t know any better to comparison shop across multiple brands. Google can tell you the same thing. (But then, book direct)

Always book everything direct. Airlines, hotels, cars.

There are edge cases where you may want to book through a third party but it hardly ever is worth it.

I always get a better price through 3rd party, so I almost always book through them.

Wait, actually, ONE time in 20+ years of travel booking did the hotel website have the best price.

Always direct. As everyone else has said it’s maddening dealing with a 3rd parry when things go wrong. You also get the dregs of the rooms with a 3rd party booking.

Basically, shop on the Online travel agents but always book direct. Even for bundled flights and hotels, it is cheaper and easier to manage directly.

Always go direct. Better prices, better service, upgrades given.

I only ever book directly through the hotel or the airline. When things go wrong, having booked through a third party can make your life hell when it comes to refunds or exchanges. Or even just checking in at the front desk- I’ve had family members say the hotel couldn’t honor their reservation because expedia claimed they had a suite available when they didn’t, or even that something got messed up between booking through expedia and the hotel and the reservation isn’t even in the system.

Direct, because…

Usually the lowest rate.
More guarantee of bed type (king vs two doubles)
If you need any changes to the booking, you have to deal with the third party and there’s no guarantee they can execute.
If you’re doing a road trip, you may get to status sooner than you think.

We always book hotels though 3rd party website because of the flight and hotel bundle booking making my life easier. For road trip hotel bokong, do you book through 3rd party website or direct hotel website? I see that you can earn rewards points directly booking through direct hotel website. And, sometimes we book like 3-6 multiple nights. Do earning those points or rewards points better deals? I travel only 1-2 times a year, and we go to different cities using mostly different hotels. I don't see the point earning those points or rewards if they normally expires in certain time?