Today, there are many third-party websites via which you can book a hotel room. However, it is always best to book via these third-party websites. Probably Not. We discuss why & when it makes sense to direct hotel room booking.
What are direct and indirect Hotel Bookings?
Firstly, let us know how direct & indirect hotel booking works.
Direct hotel bookings are the room bookings you make directly with the hotel. It can be via a website, an app or by calling. Indirect hotel bookings are the room bookings you make via a third party or simply a broker. However, these two ways of booking are essential for the hotels. Direct bookings bring & come with loyalty, whereas Indirect bookings are to reach the nook and corner where the hotel’s brand isn’t known.
Why does direct hotel booking make sense?
There are several reasons why making a direct hotel booking makes sense. Here are some of the reasons why direct hotel bookings make sense:
- Economies of Scale & Brand Loyalty
- Best Price Guarantee
- The hotel is Sold Out.
- Elite Status & Points Earning
- Early Check-in & Late Check-out
- Personalized Stay
- Reservation Guarantee
- Flexibility on Cancellation
- Transparency
Economies of Scale & Brand Loyalty
Suppose a hotel has several hotels within the same country or internationally. In that case, you are most likely to get better deals while booking directly with them since they have economies of scale & would want to consider this as a part of making a customer loyal to their brand.
Best Price Guarantee
Bigger hotel chains have the Best Price Guarantee on all direct hotel bookings. That means you will get the lowest price for a hotel with them than at third-party websites. If you find lower prices for your stay, you can always ask for a refund. However, such cases would be rare.
The hotel is Sold Out.
If a hotel is sold out, contact directly with them. There is a chance to get a room. Third-party websites don’t have access to 100% inventory.
Elite Status & Points Earning
Many major hotel chains have their hotel loyalty programs. These loyalty programs incentivize the customer for their stays & charges. The more you stay, the more you will likely get value from your spending. For Example, the hotel’s elite members are eligible to earn points, which they can use to book an award night. In contrast, you would mostly get what you paid while booking at third-party websites.
Early Check-in or Late Check-out
Hotel elite members will have more relaxed check-in and check-out rules. However, the same may not be accurate for indirect bookings.
Personalized Stays
To make personalized stay arrangements at the hotel, you must have a room booking first. You can get your stays personalized and book all simultaneously by calling the hotel directly. And, a possibility exists where you may not get customised arrangements for indirect hotel bookings.
Reservation Guarantee
Indirect hotel bookings are routed via third-party websites. So, hotels will receive your booking details via these websites, and you will be asked to wait till your bookings appear. It may take more than 30 minutes for your booking to appear. The same goes for direct hotel bookings. However, cases of booking not showing at the hotel would be very rare.
Flexibility on Cancellation
For all third-party bookings, your point of contact is the website or app from where you book the hotel. And, they would be strict on cancellation policy. However, for direct hotel bookings, hotels can make a case for a refund even though your booking was non-refundable.
Transparency
While making a third-party booking, you need to know the rules of hotels and third-party sites. And there could be a grey area where these third-party booking sites may play around. Meanwhile, there would be transparency on your bookings for direct hotel bookings.
Popular Options for Direct Hotel Bookings
- Accor Hotels
- Hilton Hotels
- Hyatt
- IHG Hotels
- ITC Hotels
- Marriott Hotels
- Taj Hotels
- Wyndham
When does Indirect Hotel Bookings make sense?
Indeed, Direct Hotel bookings are better, but there are some exceptions. Here are some of the reasons why indirect hotel bookings make sense:
- Booking a room at a Non-Chain Hotels
- Card Discounts
- Access to Lots of Options
- better interface for better decision
- Remote Destinations
Non-Chain Hotels
Non-Hotel Chains doesn’t have the resources to handle all bookings directly. Plus, they are also prone to competition. So you can get discounts on such hotels at third-party websites. However, if you have a group booking, call them and ask for a group discount.
Card Discounts
Today, third-party websites have tie-ups with all major card issuers where you can get a discount for your stay using these cards. However, these discounts usually do not include five-star properties of hotel chains.
Access to lots of options
Third-party websites don’t show you 10-20 hotels when you search for a hotel in the city. You get to choose from almost all the hotels in the city.
Better Interface for better decision
Third-party websites invest heavily in their interfaces to give a better user experience. They have provided several options to users to filter out the hotel based on their needs.
Remote Destinations
Bigger hotel chains are not available at remote destinations. You must book an Airbnb or stay via online travel agencies at these destinations.
Popular Online Travel Agencies [OTA’s] in India
- MakeMyTrip
- Booking.com
- Yatra
- EasemyTrip
- ClearTrip
Bottomline
Direct hotel bookings are always better at hotel chains to get the benefits of the best price & personalized stays. Indirect hotel bookings also work primarily at non-chain hotels.
