In general: Unless you are going through a rewards program, the booking sites are almost never worth using. Or, more pointedly, use them to find the popular hotels in the area. And then go to that hotel chain’s website to book it.
Ignoring that said booking sites will often steal your hotel chain points (and you can get the low tier which gives you early/late checkout REALLY easily), they don’t even have the special deals that the old travel agents had. So you are actually paying more.
Currently booking travel for a Japan trip and have consistently gotten MUCH cheaper prices just by going to the actual chain website.
And speaking of rewards program booking: I have found Hilton hotels are great for letting you just transfer that to your actual account. They seem to HATE all the booking sites and rewards programs. So if you just call them up asking if you can confirm your reservation and “get it in your app” so you can use mobile check in: you pretty much get the nights while still getting to use your credit card points.
In general: Unless you are going through a rewards program, the booking sites are almost never worth using. Or, more pointedly, use them to find the popular hotels in the area. And then go to that hotel chain’s website to book it.
Ignoring that said booking sites will often steal your hotel chain points (and you can get the low tier which gives you early/late checkout REALLY easily), they don’t even have the special deals that the old travel agents had. So you are actually paying more.
Currently booking travel for a Japan trip and have consistently gotten MUCH cheaper prices just by going to the actual chain website.
And speaking of rewards program booking: I have found Hilton hotels are great for letting you just transfer that to your actual account. They seem to HATE all the booking sites and rewards programs. So if you just call them up asking if you can confirm your reservation and “get it in your app” so you can use mobile check in: you pretty much get the nights while still getting to use your credit card points.
I had a $1,000 booking.com gift card. :)