For years, many a travel writer has suggested, "buy your Airfare and Hotel direct with the provider” versus on the net; yet your cruises and land tour packages (Ex. All-Inclusives), be sure to purchase from a “specialist”, rather than directly !
Strangely, statistics prove that 50% consumers have this ALL backwards. They're not taking advantage of the expertise of the specialist at their finger times, and they're under the wrong assupting that they are treated equally when they opt to buy Hotel and Airfare from the net !
In the New York Times, Stephanie Rosenbloom writes an article and asks, “Should travelers assume that the best deals always come from online ? Direct bookings may result in higher profits for hotels and airlines, but there are benefits for consumers, too.”
Please NOTE, insight below is in reference to buying hotel nights, not hotel packages, such as All-Inclusives, etc.
“More hotels are following suit. Last year, InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts and Holiday Inn, introduced a “best price guarantee” for anyone booking on IHG.com and its other brand Web sites. And this year, Wyndham Hotel Group — which includes brands like Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson and Travelodge — introduced a Web site for all of its brands, which, according to the company, is “designed to recapture business by driving more bookings through the company’s own channels.” The site guarantees rates and offers tools to sort results by categories like price and amenities.”
Airlines are actually beginning to make these same type claims.
Her article mentions Frontier Airline’s latest announcement: “Travelers who do not book directly with the airline will pay higher fees, receive half as many frequent flier miles and will not be allowed to select a seat in advance of check-in.”
“A spokeswoman for JetBlue said that its Web site is its preferred booking option and that it has a best-fare guarantee. Delta Air Lines also has a best-fare guarantee. If travelers buy a ticket on Delta.com and then find a fare for the same itinerary that is at least $10 lower on another site, Delta will refund the difference — and provide a $100 Delta travel voucher. Alternatively, travelers can simply accept a refund. Other airlines, including American and United, have also made low-fare pledges. In addition to price guarantees, companies are using social media to dangle exclusive deals.”
MYTH: YOUR ROOM OR PLANE SEAT WILL BE THE SAME WHETHER OR NOT YOU BOOK DIRECT
NOTE: “Executives at hotels and airlines said they can deliver a more personalized experience when travelers book directly. That means guests may have a better chance of getting the bed or room type they want. Passengers who book directly with airlines can select a particular seat or buy priority boarding.”
NOTE: “Meanwhile, a site like Expedia allows you to request seats, but as the site notes when you choose a seat: “We will share your seating requests with the airlines, but we cannot guarantee your request will be honored.” There is no option for add-ons like priority boarding or more-legroom seats either.”
Another thing that’s not going to happen with a third-party site? Racking up loyalty points.
What about booking Airfare or Hotel through a Travel Agency ?
From Vivian: It’s great with only one phone call to an agent, if you must make a change to your Airfare or Hotel stay; however, honesty, agents can not get you a better rate, though they too, basically are booking directly for you; and you most often pay fees to receive these services. My suggestion is, just book these on your own. It is better to personally have access to these records yourself, allowing you make changes as many times as you want !
I think of all the corporate travel and the employees unknowingly continuing to buy online; or companies paying all these fees when they could have someone in house buy for them !
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