We're 'fair weather' motorcaravanners and although we use our van all year round, we usually fly and stay in hotels over winter.
I've just been looking at hotel bookings using a well known site and checked prices for a possible late break. Having chosen a hotel, I looked at its own website and was surprised at how much cheaper it was to book it directly. Even allowing for foreign currency payment fees, it was about £60 cheaper for the same room, same facilities, free cancellation etc.
When it comes to actually booking a break (hope there's no more nasty bugs around), I'll certainly be careful about comparing prices.
(I hate these sites that tell me "only one room left at this price" or "100 people are looking at this hotel" etc..)
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
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Yup, I do that for booking hotel rooms as well as flights, find something I like, and book directly if the prices are cheaper.
Flights tend to be the same, however, booking direct means I could choose my seats and other extras at the same time.
DK
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Same for campsites - there’s a website that you can book pitches through (not UKCS, of course) but you pay more for the privilege. We always book direct, especially as the Directory here has so many sites on it.
What amuses me is the number of websites that compare websites, and even a website that compares comparison websites. I have a favourite hotel booking site that I use, and I then look at the hotel’s own website. They’ll usually match a cheaper website price because they’re not paying a fee. Or they’ll include something extra.
I always book direct with the hotel. Apart from being cheaper it also reduces the chance of any mistakes with the booking, and in the event of a complaint you can make a claim against the hotel.
Over the last few months I have read of so many issues with people booking through the main consolidator websites for hotels, flights and holidays they are all best avoided.
Examples include turning up at hotels and no booking being made or confirmed, even worse the hotel being permanently closed, flights with connections which were separate flights and not a single booking, leaving delayed passengers stranded and phantom bookings where you get a 'confirmation' but all it is a an email confirming the company will now try and find flights for the price offered. No flight they just refund any deposit, a mkdern day version of the kbucket shop' travel agents. Business class flights advertised, but when payment made its confirmed by the airline as an economy flight.
Use the consolidators for research and book directly with the provider as you have no idea where the consolidator is based so UK laws won't apply in a dispute.
I must admit that I've had no problems with various booking sites for hotels, although I've always booked flights, ferries etc. direct with the company. In this particular case, I was surprised by the price difference - even allowing for possible changes in the exchange rate.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
We always use booking.dot.com for this country, due to the free cancellation offered. (and had to use it a time or two recently). However, usually, vis aeroplane hols, we'd normally book the lot through such as Jet2. But this time, we've booked a hotel direct (we've been a few times before), and just used Jet2 for the flights. While the flights are dearer than the package because we've no free luggage thrown in, we are still about 200 euro up on the deal. And, we dont get the inferior rooms usually allocated to the travel companies.
With a package holiday, you’re covered if one component (flight, hotel, transfer etc) is cancelled. Nothing wrong with saving money by buying separately, many do, but if (say) the flight moves back a day, you’re the one looking to change the hotel booking at the last minute. Hopefully that won’t happen & I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Bit swings and roundabouts I think, you can save money on direct bookings BUT you leave yourself open to losses if other aspects of trip impact your booking. My cousin was off to USA with BA on a family trip, booked very expensive hotel and car hire independently, then BA shifted BOTH out and return dates, effectively loosing them 3 days on their hotel and car hire bookings! Took some strong arguing with BA to get new flight deal that didn't cost them a LOT of money on lost hotel/car days, but still involved travelling to different airport and driving more!
I think we've only had one glitch with one of the hotel booking agencies, the booking 'disappeared' altogether when making an on line alteration, got sorted eventually with a phone call or two.
Think a lot of the hotel chains have now got their on line booking systems well sorted, so less need to use the agencies.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 23/8/2022
With a package holiday, you’re covered if one component (flight, hotel, transfer etc) is cancelled. Nothing wrong with saving money by buying separately, many do, but if (say) the flight moves back a day, you’re the one looking to change the hotel booking at the last minute. Hopefully that won’t happen & I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
As we are going out of season, im hoping it will be a runner. And Jet2 are one of the few airlines that havent scrapped huge numbers of flights. Them and - unbelievably, Ryanair. Where i would rather walk than use this outfit. There are only 2 more elements; the hotel and transfer. And the transfer is part of the hotel deal. So one other element in reality.
We are familiar with the hotel having been a few times previously, and are pretty sure they would still accommodate us if we were a day late. Theres nothing this end to impact either. So its a calculated risk.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Hotel bookings
via mobile 20/8/2022 at 3:50pm
