Interesting Article On Booking Sites

[Renato1]

I thought this article on booking sites was interesting.
Especially why ringing hotels directly doesn't often get you a lower price - since the booking sites have their own people doing just that, to make sure the hotels don't undercut the prices advertised on the booking sites.
'We can never beat them': How Expedia and Wotif are strangling hotels | The New Daily How Expedia and Wotif are strangling hotels

Regards,
Renato

 

[tdimdad]

I actually have had the reception or hotelier thank me a few times for booking direct. It's quite a sign how much at least they appreciated you dealing with them instead of the middle-men. At the same time, when you look at some of the frequent-sleeper programs, they award points only if you've booked through their own channels. Even getting e.g. Qantas Hotels booking into your frequent-sleeper profile has been impossible, with or without the award points.

But the portals serve well when you search for options, be it for accommodation or flights.

 

[Ausbt]

Agree ringing direct hasn't always paid dividends, however I can report after booking a trip to Japan next January I've ended up going direct with two properties and got better rates than offered with the booking sites. I worked my way through every aggregator and even some of the specialist ski tour companies (who I never use, but they actually lock-up a lot of the accom so for certain properties you have no choice). Anyway, direct contact with the properties won the day for once.

Interesting article though. If Labor can get the pay-parity claused banned (slightly ironic!) then it could lead to cheaper deals direct.

 

[Renato1]

I actually have had the reception or hotelier thank me a few times for booking direct. It's quite a sign how much at least they appreciated you dealing with them instead of the middle-men. At the same time, when you look at some of the frequent-sleeper programs, they award points only if you've booked through their own channels. Even getting e.g. Qantas Hotels booking into your frequent-sleeper profile has been impossible, with or without the award points.

But the portals serve well when you search for options, be it for accommodation or flights.

I never heard of frequent-sleeper programs until you mentioned it above.Good to see you've had some success booking direct.
Regards,
Renato

Agree ringing direct hasn't always paid dividends, however I can report after booking a trip to Japan next January I've ended up going direct with two properties and got better rates than offered with the booking sites. I worked my way through every aggregator and even some of the specialist ski tour companies (who I never use, but they actually lock-up a lot of the accom so for certain properties you have no choice). Anyway, direct contact with the properties won the day for once.

Interesting article though. If Labor can get the pay-parity claused banned (slightly ironic!) then it could lead to cheaper deals direct.

Good to see another example where going direct has worked.

I suppose the other issue is when one becomes a member of the hotels' loyalty schemes - their prices are meant to be better than at say Booking.com. But Booking.com more often has the better deals and genius discounts that the hotels do.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[serfty]

I suppose the other issue is when one becomes a member of the hotels' loyalty schemes

An accomodation chain's loyalty scheme can provide things like free wifi and free nights.

If you can get 'status' with a accommodation chain's loyalty scheme you can get better benefits such as complimentary breakfast, club/executive lounge access, free upgrades, gauranteed late check out etc.

You generally don't get those if booked via sites such as booking.com.

Some of those can tip the balance in how you book.

 

[serfty]

Things have not changed much; see this episode of ABC's "The Checkout" from 2016:

 

[albatross710]

Another issue is that booking site hotels are a subset of the available hotels. By using the multiple brands in their strategy ir Agoda, Experdia, Traivago they crowd out the more direct or local providers.

And another issue the dispute resolution processes are coughe.

Alby

 

[drron]

And even if you are paying the same price booking direct at a hotel that has no loyalty program you often do better-ie better room,breakfast thrown in etc that we have experienced in Japan-though occasionally a little hard as their website has no English.

 

[Renato1]

An accomodation chain's loyalty scheme can provide things like free wifi and free nights.

If you can get 'status' with a accommodation chain's loyalty scheme you can get better benefits such as complimentary breakfast, club/executive lounge access, free upgrades, gauranteed late check out etc.

You generally don't get those if booked via sites such as booking.com.

Some of those can tip the balance in how you book.

Good points, thanks. My Doctor keeps telling me to pay the $350 at Accor for the big perks. Though I find their prices on the high side, and tend to get the luxury stays through Luxury Escapes (cheaper prices for breakfast and lounge access)

When I think about it though, some of the best deals price-wise (better than Booking.com), or where I've gotten unexpected upgrades, has been when my travel agent has given me options for various cities, and I chose some of them.
Regards,
Renato

 

[daft009]

Good points, thanks. My Doctor keeps telling me to pay the $350 at Accor for the big perks. Though I find their prices on the high side, and tend to get the luxury stays through Luxury Escapes (cheaper prices for breakfast and lounge access)

When I think about it though, some of the best deals price-wise (better than Booking.com), or where I've gotten unexpected upgrades, has been when my travel agent has given me options for various cities, and I chose some of them.
Regards,
Renato

Accor plus can be had for heaps cheaper via another country like I did for the last few years. Or free with the Amex charge card

 

[Renato1]

Accor plus can be had for heaps cheaper via another country like I did for the last few years. Or free with the Amex charge card

Thanks. Interesting. How does one join it via another country please?
Use a VPN?
Regards,
Renato