Erin
I work for a major hotel franchise. I agree with all of these ceonmmts, definitely good information. Third party websites take upwards of 20% commission on bookings for our hotels when you book through their website. These are high cost bookings for hotels whereas if they get a booking through their brand website or over the phone is costs them little or nothing. I would always call a hotel and ask for a better rate than what you see on a third party website and if they are smart they will give you a discount which would be less than the commission to the website which is better rate for you and more money for them. Plus they gain brand loyalty this way. Win Win. With that said, in this market some hotels are stupid and are offering crazy deep discounts through third party websites while undercutting their brand websites in desperation. Always good to check rates everywhere, sites like kayak and sidestep are great to do this.
Erin I work for a major hotel franchise. I agree with all of these ceonmmts, definitely good information. Third party websites take upwards of 20% commission on bookings for our hotels when you book through their website. These are high cost bookings for hotels whereas if they get a booking through their brand website or over the phone is costs them little or nothing. I would always call a hotel and ask for a better rate than what you see on a third party website and if they are smart they will give you a discount which would be less than the commission to the website which is better rate for you and more money for them. Plus they gain brand loyalty this way. Win Win. With that said, in this market some hotels are stupid and are offering crazy deep discounts through third party websites while undercutting their brand websites in desperation. Always good to check rates everywhere, sites like kayak and sidestep are great to do this.