Difference between revisions of "TravelStrategies: *Book Hotels Directly"
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{Title|book direct}}}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:{{Title|book direct}}}} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{seo|description=Learn why booking hotels directly on their own website often gives you better rates and benefits (than you would get from general travel booking site like Expedia.)}} |
{{Page|article|Hotel Strategies}} | {{Page|article|Hotel Strategies}} | ||
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<ul class="bulletlist"> | <ul class="bulletlist"> | ||
| − | <li>'''Special rates for loyalty club members'''. Most hotel chains offer | + | <li>'''Special rates for loyalty club members'''. Most hotel chains offer less expensive rates to members of their loyalty program. These member rates are lower than the "best available rate" found on third party travel websites like Expedia. You'll need to join the loyalty program to access these rates, but joining is free, doesn't take much time, and provides a number of additional benefits. By taking advantage of a tool called AwardWallet, you won't need to remember your loyalty account information between trips. {{Link|AwardWallet}}.</li> |
| − | <li>'''Packages and promotions, which are often a better deal than the regular rates'''. | + | <li>'''Packages and promotions, which are often a better deal than the regular rates'''. More than likely, the hotel’s website includes some additional promotions or packages, which can often be a better deal than the standard rate (and which aren't available elsewhere). For example, you might be able to get a free night or discounted rate on a multi-night reservation, a well-priced package that includes parking, breakfast, or other benefits, a discount on an extra room for the kids, or a special promotional rate.</li> |
| − | <li>'''Access to AAA, | + | <li>'''Access to AAA, senior, corporate, government, military, and other discounted rates'''. Most hotels offer discounts for AAA and AARP members, as well as special rates for members of the military, veterans, and government employees. There is usually no way to access these discounts when you book through a 3<sup>rd</sup> party travel booking site.</li> |
| − | <li>'''Valuable loyalty program benefits'''. If you book through a 3<sup>rd</sup> party site, you usually aren’t entitled to whatever benefits you get from being a member of the hotel’s loyalty program—such as free Wi-Fi, free room upgrades, or free breakfasts. | + | <li>'''Valuable loyalty program benefits'''. If you book through a 3<sup>rd</sup> party site, you usually aren’t entitled to whatever benefits you get from being a member of the hotel’s loyalty program—such as free Wi-Fi, free room upgrades, or free breakfasts. If you book elsewhere, some hotels may still wind up giving you some of these benefits, but there are no guarantees.</li> |
| − | <li>'''Earn reward points for your stay'''. If you book through a 3<sup>rd</sup> party site, you usually won’t earn points with the hotel’s reward program | + | <li>'''Earn reward points for your stay'''. If you book through a 3<sup>rd</sup> party site, you usually won’t earn points with the hotel’s reward program and you won’t earn any credit towards elite status.</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
| − | '''The main disadvantage of booking directly is that it can take a few minutes longer to make your reservation'''. However, if | + | '''The main disadvantage of booking directly is that it can take a few minutes longer to make your reservation'''. However, if you are making a reservation at a chain hotel and you’ve previously signed up for its loyalty programs, all you need to do is sign in and you’ll have access to all your previously entered information. |
{{Box|Links to Hotel Programs}} | {{Box|Links to Hotel Programs}} | ||
Latest revision as of 02:53, 13 February 2021
There are several benefits to booking directly with a hotel, rather than through a 3rd party travel booking site.
- Special rates for loyalty club members. Most hotel chains offer less expensive rates to members of their loyalty program. These member rates are lower than the "best available rate" found on third party travel websites like Expedia. You'll need to join the loyalty program to access these rates, but joining is free, doesn't take much time, and provides a number of additional benefits. By taking advantage of a tool called AwardWallet, you won't need to remember your loyalty account information between trips. Use AwardWallet to Easily Manage Your Loyalty Program Information.
- Packages and promotions, which are often a better deal than the regular rates. More than likely, the hotel’s website includes some additional promotions or packages, which can often be a better deal than the standard rate (and which aren't available elsewhere). For example, you might be able to get a free night or discounted rate on a multi-night reservation, a well-priced package that includes parking, breakfast, or other benefits, a discount on an extra room for the kids, or a special promotional rate.
- Access to AAA, senior, corporate, government, military, and other discounted rates. Most hotels offer discounts for AAA and AARP members, as well as special rates for members of the military, veterans, and government employees. There is usually no way to access these discounts when you book through a 3rd party travel booking site.
- Valuable loyalty program benefits. If you book through a 3rd party site, you usually aren’t entitled to whatever benefits you get from being a member of the hotel’s loyalty program—such as free Wi-Fi, free room upgrades, or free breakfasts. If you book elsewhere, some hotels may still wind up giving you some of these benefits, but there are no guarantees.
- Earn reward points for your stay. If you book through a 3rd party site, you usually won’t earn points with the hotel’s reward program and you won’t earn any credit towards elite status.
The main disadvantage of booking directly is that it can take a few minutes longer to make your reservation. However, if you are making a reservation at a chain hotel and you’ve previously signed up for its loyalty programs, all you need to do is sign in and you’ll have access to all your previously entered information.
Links to Hotel Programs
View quick links to the loyalty programs for dozens of hotel chains, including direct links to the hotel program's sign-up page.
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