Hotelclub.com

[tforrestr]

The context for my support is that I'm not an active hotel chain rewards member and I'm aware there are many, many options for hotel bookings. Also, I noticed most of the posts about them I found in the search of AFF were old and mainly in reference to bonus points for using AMEX (no longer relevant I believe).

However, I've become happy user of Hotelclub.com (division of Orbitz) for the following reasons:
- good rates (often with free cancellation up to the day of the booking and immediate refunds if you do)
- what you see is what you pay (no credit card, FX or any other fees for that matter)
- 5-7% rebate on spend to use on future bookings
- best deals (some mobile only promotions) and highest rebate level available when using their smartphone app
- regular additional discounts of 10-15% via promotion codes (such as BREAK15)
- good coverage in most cities and useful ratings/ reviews

So, essentially, it provides we with reliable and convenient access to good rates.

 

[whughes3]

Seconded! I also use them quite a lot, for the reasons you outline above.

 

[featheast]

They are good most of the times, but for small cities and regional towns the number of available hotels is still significantly fewer than Agoda, Expedia/Wotif.
Another thing need to watch out is the awards dollars are expired 18 months after. I was hit by this last month, lost about $80 altogether from my previous bookings. (I used to laugh those guys whose QF points expired, now I feel the pain myself...)
These days, my strategy is searching everyone (discount code, of course) and find the best rate, sometimes there are also promotions only applicable to certain websites. For example, I searched yesterday, DoubleTree @ Flinders St is only $99 for the next few weeks on Hotels.com and another one, but $129 on Hotelclub.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Perhaps I will give them another go based on the OP's recommendation... but unfortunately every time I have looked previously they have been more expensive than their competitors. It wasn't worth using hotel.club even with rebates and discounts.

 

[tforrestr]

Fair points all of them - for me it works as an excellent first point of inquiry, backed up through TripAdvisor vetting and comparison pricing to get through the process in a reasonable time. Probably 80% of the time I end up booking with them. The rebates are nice but, it is the availability of free cancellations (have used this to rebook at lower rates as the trip was locked in), no + (or ++ or +++) and functionality of their website/ app that really won me over.

Probably 10% of the time I use Expedia and 10% of the time Wotif (often due to coverage in smaller places mentioned above), with 5% falling to Qantas when the points earn is compelling.

 

[codash1099]

Perhaps I will give them another go based on the OP's recommendation... but unfortunately every time I have looked previously they have been more expensive than their competitors. It wasn't worth using hotel.club even with rebates and discounts.

I agree. I used to use them alsmost exclusively, but lately they have become uncompetitive, presumably in part because of all the discounts they are offering. I'll always check them out but I'm using them less and less.

 

[Blackswan]

Hotelclub currently have a $40 off $200 spend through Amex Connect - https://network.americanexpress.com/connect/au/en/doe_offer_detail.html?offer=GCOR_52920

You can still sign up and use the offer through bank issued Amex's. My $40 credit to my Amex came through within 3 days.

 

[tforrestr]

Thanks Blackswan! I have just registered and (re)made a qualifying purchase.

 

[burmans]

These days, my strategy is searching everyone (discount code, of course) and find the best rate, sometimes there are also promotions only applicable to certain websites.

Unfortunately I agree, no one site has all the best deals and discount codes vary week on week so you do need to check multiple sites.

 

[Mal]

Also Hotelclub and hotels.com (which is similar) do pop up on cashback sites, so this adds to the perks available.

 

[Renato1]

I've used Hotelclub in the past and thought they were pretty good, but for some strange reason, on one occasion I got a much cheaper price on Hotel Torino in Rome using Booking.com than what Hotelclub was giving. So I've tended to use Booking.com ever since.

That said, more recently I've found that my local travel agent has always given me a better deal than what Booking.com has offered for the same dates for the exact same hotels. So I've used my travel agent for where I fly into, and used Booking.com for the hotels where I'm driving to - as it's a bit of a needle in the haystack problem finding good hotels where I can park my car without paying lots for car parking.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Pleb Status]

I use hotelclub.com for all bookings which are not for Hilton hotels (which I have to book direct to keep my status). I have generally found their prices are pretty good (even before the 7% rebate) but I also do a quick check on other sites prior to confirming a booking. Never had a problem with refunds either when cancelling a prepaid booking.

 

[JohnK]

I have been using HotelClub and RatesToGo for a number of years.

They are not always the cheapest and their 40% off, 50% off, 60% off and 70% off deals all yield the same room rate.

They are good for certain hotels in smaller cities.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Also Hotelclub and hotels.com (which is similar) do pop up on cashback sites, so this adds to the perks available.

I tend to use hoteclub a lot because qwibble gives me nearly 10% on every booking cash back, then there's the 5% cash back with the site's own clubrewards.

cashrewards also does cashback and lets you use discount codes as well, so can be a good way to triple dip, so to speak.

I don't like hotel.com rewards because you're locked into using it for just a single night's accommodation which is not always convenient.

 

[Blockers]

Just had a hotelclub deal email sent through if of any interest - 72 hour sale up to 70% they say...... link here

 

[JohnK]

LoL! 70% off is their normal sale price.

A 70% off sale with a further 15% off just finished.

There must be a bunch of comedians that work there. I have ~USD21 or USD22 in my account and received an email today they have topped up my account to USD25 but the top up is only valid for 20 days. Gee, thanks.

 

[wandering_fred]

I always check prices on booking and agoda. I gave up on hotelclub (and a couple of others) a while ago.
OTOH accor usually has good prices for their own hotels, which are typically reasonable but not the cheapest.

Happy wandering

Fred