Which Hotel Booking Engine Should YOU Use?

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In this video I will reveal which hotel booking engine you should be using. I take an 11 night sample spread across 4 stays in hotels on 3 continents, and price those stays up four ways:
- Directly with the hotel
- Through Hotels.com
- Through Expedia.com
- Through Booking.com
I then overlay the benefits you can earn by booking through these booking sites to produce a net cost of booking the 11 nights. The results are pretty interesting...
I also look at one of the highest profile price aggregator sites - Trivago.
A couple of distractions creep in - are resort fees a complete rip-off? YES! And how does booking a chain hotel through an intermediary will you earn status nights with the hotel's own scheme, and will you receive the benefits you might otherwise get through previously earned status? No and probably no...
My Video on Picking a Hotel: • How To Choose The PERF...
My Video on BA Holidays: • Should You Book With B...
Sites covered: hotels.com; expedia.com; booking.com; trivago.com
Hotels.com Avios Earning Booking link - uk.hotels.com/page/avios/
Booking.com Avios Earning Booking link - booking.com/britishairways
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Booking Directly
6:10 - Hotels.com
9:29 - Expedia.com
12:01 - Booking.com
13:57 - Trivago
15:55 - Wrapping Up

Опубликовано:

25 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 73

@MattsPlanet Год назад

*** UPDATE *** Hotels.com has announced they will be gutting their loyalty programme at some point in the future. I talk about it in this update video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l6ZGjitEnkM.html

@richardstreet7518 Год назад

Don't know how I missed this vlog Matt... very helpful

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks Richard - better late than never!!!!

@stephendalton6339 2 года назад

Good stuff Matt. I would not worry about video length when the subject is complicated and interesting

@MattsPlanet 2 года назад

Cheers Stephen - I've learned that the video determines the length of the video, not me!!!!

@joenorton2552 3 года назад

Another great video Matt, I had Gold status with Expedia before the pandemic but not really sure that I ever gained much from that!

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

I was silver with Expedia for a while and the occasional benefit that gave me always came as a complete surprise!

@bowman7296 3 года назад

Another good video Matt, it certainly is a mine field when booking hotels, I use the Accor group if possible as they have a good selection of hotels from What mid range to top end you also get points which add up to free stays when you have enough points.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks for that. Yours is a very sensible strategy - I just don't like feeling compelled to stay in a certain subset of what's available in a city

@makoivanidze8346 Год назад

I'm so happy that you mentioned Georgia. Greetings from here 🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks - Dennis Bunnik has been there in the last few days and loved it - I'm sure I'll get there before too long... Bit cold in the winter though?

@peterrussell2887 3 года назад

Great video again Matt. I Had no idea about the Avios on booking.com, so thank you for that :-)

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

It's well hidden and was quite fiddly when I was playing around with it to research the video but it should work!

@geoff544 3 года назад

@dianad.5312 Год назад

A good example of excess fees is the Harrahs Casino hotel in Atlantic city, the will have special rates of $56 and when you go to the checkout phase that amount becomes more than $100 because of resort fees and other fees.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

They must think their patrons are dumb... Or they don't care about repeat custom as most people experiencing this when checking out will probably think "never again!"

@yank196101 Год назад

@@MattsPlanet thanks for posting.

@GLAFly 3 года назад

Great stuff Matt - another really good comparison between the different booking engines and some of the hidden costs. Thanks for highlighting the point about most of the bookings made through these not being eligible for points or stay credits with a lot of the big chains (Hilton, Hyatt, etc), but I just wanted to call our that - even if you ARE booking direct with those hotels on their own sites, it's always worth checking any special offers are still going to earn those. I was recently stung by Hilton on a stay my wife and I made at the Glasgow Hilton. This is a property we have stayed at a few times over the years, and I tend to like to use Hilton properties whenever I can, due to having gold status with them (which isn't much, but usually scores us an upgrade to a slightly better room). Booked directly with Hilton via their app (as usual), but after the points failed to credit I queries it with the honors online support and was told the rate wasn't eligible. I did throw my toys out of the pram a little, as there was zero notice anywhere to advise this rate wasn't an earning rate, and the points were credited as "a goodwill gesture". Will be checking in advance before I book any other non-standard rates (this was a leisure rate targeted at couples - listed with all the other standard rates they publish), but worth keeping an eye out.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks - last time I was in Glasgow I ended up at the Citizen M hotel which was quite possibly the weirdest hotel I'd ever stayed in. Still can't decide if I liked it.

@GLAFly 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet we stayed in the Citizen M once a couple of years back - liked the quirkiness, but didn't like the lack of opening window in such a small room. Have been in plenty where windows don't open - but something about the small size made it feel claustrophobic.

@mrbutch308 Год назад

Bravo, Matt. I too believe "resort fees" are a rip off. It's not only in effect in Vegas but in places like Miami and Atlantic City too.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks Mr Butch. Since I made this, I believe there have been some legal challenges against resort fees... No plans to get back to a resort-y area in the States but when I do I will be looking into it eagerly!

@steveworobec5034 Год назад

Another informative video 👍🏼

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks Steve!

@maril1379 Год назад

Great thumbs up

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks!

@tasmeena 3 года назад

Interesting video! Can’t wait for the next one. Are the Expedia rewards in addition to Nectar points or is it one or the other?

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Great question. When researching, I saw reports that the Expedia / Nectar relationship was ended in 2018 so I didn't mention it. It looks like the ability to use Nectar to buy Expedia vouchers has ended but you can still accumulate a very small number of nectar points for an Expedia booking if you use a specific link. It's a pretty pathetic amount though.... I don't know for sure but I suspect you can stack them.

@tasmeena 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet oh that’s unlucky! Really enjoy your videos. I always learn something new! 🤓

@j2simpso 3 года назад

Great summary of the various hotel booking options available. I'd be curious to hear your take on HotWire and some of the "mystery" booking services.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

I think a follow up video will be in order! A few sites have been suggested. Do you have a specific "mystery" site in mind? I used Hotwire once when I was living in the States - it went ok but I'm not sure I loved not knowing where I was booking

@j2simpso 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet three that spring to my mind are HotWire's hotel deals that don't tell you the hotel brand/location but rating and price, and ammenities. Another one to consider would be PriceLine as I think they also have a similar mystery hotel thing. I'd be curious too whether it's possible to determine which hotel you are booking with these opaque booking services (e.g. some travel vloggers have suggested comparing ratings on TripAdvisor to narrow down which hotel is being listed). Aside from those two there's also SnapTravel (formerly HotelsTonight) which gives you last minute hotel deals.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks - that's quite an interesting idea - reverse engineering hotels... Might not be one many people want to watch but it might be fun! I know on Lastminute you can work out that the 4 star property in terminal 5 is the Sofitel there and save yourself a chunk if you have a layover there - done that a couple of times now. Thanks again for the thoughts!

@j2simpso 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet call me old fashioned Matt, but I much prefer the Premier Inn in T4. It's hard to beat £30/night when staying directly at the airport and Premier Inns aren't too bad. Basic, yes but they have all the amenities you need if all you car about is a clean hotel room and comfy bed.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

I don't mind a Premier Inn and I don't mind £30!!!

@scottprice4813 2 года назад

I’m too cheap for those websites . In the US I use Hotwire. By cross referencing pictures and number of reviews I know which hotel I’m in. Examples ? Downtown Denver in October $158 compared to $275 on booking sites . This is a name brand four star brand anyone would recognize . How about San Francisco ? Also October . A very well located boutique hotel . Minimalist but clean and perfect location by Union square . $ 80 versus $250 on the booking sites .

@MattsPlanet 2 года назад

Thanks Scott. Good insight. I used Hotwire a couple of times when I lived in the US, I think for Vegas where I was pretty good at identifying the locations being offered. I could be wrong, but I don't think Hotwire is anything like as big in Europe where I was primarily focussed when I made this video... $80 for Union Square is outstanding and I will take a look next time I'm stateside! Lastminute.com has a decent footprint in the UK and I have also decoded properties around Heathrow and saved a few quid through them too... Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

@simath74 3 года назад

What about Hotelscombined.com? I heard you can set up price alerts on that site.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Interesting - I'll take a look

@George-ps5 Год назад

Thank you, I like you

@MattsPlanet Год назад

I like you too!

@George-ps5 Год назад

@@MattsPlanet thank you 👊

@speedendurance Год назад

Excellent video, I'm sure it took a lot of time to compile. Can you do a video on Car rentals? Direct vs 3rd party? The most confusing is the CDW insurance options. Has anyone had a horror story with declining insurance, and using their premium/Curve card for the excess, and having an accident?

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks - good question. I find car rental can very country to country so its tough to be specific... And I hate insurance - its just one of those necessities I have no patience for! But it is a topic I need to grit my teeth to cover!

@geoff544 3 года назад

It may be worth looking at the BA eStore www.shopping.ba.com/ which shows all of the booking engine/avios links and often has bonus avios periods eg up from 4/£ to as much as 12/£ at times - although, as you say, fewer avios if taking advantage of the reward night option with h.com. In my experience, booking.com tends to be 'book now, pay later' whereas hotels.com is more often pay up front - which has the advantage that you pay in your own currency. Both have good cancellation/refund service (as long as you book a cancellable room!) and I have been known to cancel and rebook when the prices go down, and even when the bonus avios rate goes up! Also, keep an eye out for 'new customer/first time booker' deals with the likes of rocketmiles and kaligo, some of which are direct avios bonuses and some you have to do via heathrow rewards.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks Geoff. The cancel and rebook trick can really pay off as waters remain choppy!

@solweiser Год назад

Hotels and Expedia still ends up $50 more Canadian. Booking is still cheapest for my domestic Canada travel. Sometimes if you use a VPN you can find better deals.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

I am finding I stick with hotels.com even if I can scrape a few bucks off a booking as the 10% reward element makes up the difference... This video may need a 2023 edition!

@solweiser Год назад

@@MattsPlanet I don’t travel as often so… c’est la vie

@paulinekaplin6039 10 месяцев назад

What about booking into accommadation in Israel? Lotan Israel?

@MattsPlanet 10 месяцев назад

I still go through hotels.com for everywhere I go...

@dianad.5312 Год назад

The so called "resort fees" are also being charged at every casino based hotel in Atlantic City. I was trying to book a room for a New Jersey shore motel and noticed that multiple motels had the audacity to charge a $10.00 " linen fee" have you ever seen that?. They are charging for having sheets on the bed, this is a cash grab. There are also cleaning fees and property fees added.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Thanks Diana. I wonder what would happen if you showed up and asked for the fee to be removed as you brought your own sheets?

@mrbutch308 Год назад

Not just AC but Miami and Fort Lauderdale too are charging "resort fees."

@RandomLifeProductions Год назад

Matt, if you book from a USA it’s cheaper, but the resort fees are shocking…

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Good to know.... VPNs are inexpensive these days so that could tip pay for itself!

@jacksparow421 Год назад

I use agoda 😎

@MattsPlanet Год назад

I used them when I lived in Singapore but I think they're a decent global option these days?

@rsforthewin 3 года назад

Getting close to 1k subscribers 👍

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Inching ever closer... 3.7k hours of watchtime so looks like I'll hit that goal first...

@DarrenAndHisCruises 3 года назад

I do find you videos fascinating, but one thing that does get me is the sudden fading to a black screen and then full brightness every few seconds. I’m not epileptic or anything like that, but it’s making want to be. Anything you can do about that?

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks Darren - great question and thanks for taking the time to ask it. I tend to use a fade in/out whenever I change subject but I also use it if there's an ugly jump between clips. I try quite hard to be precise in the info I am giving so stick fairly tightly to the script - I'm still not great at getting long sequences on film in one take so do end up making quite a few cuts. I will have it in mind going forwards and will use that tactic more sparingly! Thanks again.

@peterhastings703 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet Can I add my own very subjective agreement to Darren's comment? I can see you use some snap cuts in other places, but I have to say that I find the dips to black distracting, especially when they come in bursts! Otherwise, an interesting video! I'm in a couple of hotel loyalty schemes, but have used booking.com if I've been wandering around a country with little or no pre-planning. I've no complaints about them, but I'll try hotels.com in future.

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

Thanks Peter. Tomorrow's video is cued up to publish at 3pm. I've been more sparing with the fade in and outs and I've doubled the length of the ones I've kept in so they're less abrupt. Would love your feedback - and Darren's!

@GLAFly 3 года назад

Oh, and as a beardy bloke myself - booooo for shaving - bring back the chin warmer! :-)

@MattsPlanet 3 года назад

I do miss the occasional nice surprise a beard will yield an hour or two after eating!

@GLAFly 3 года назад

@@MattsPlanet 🤣🤣🤣

@wessexTim Год назад

Agoda? Often better prices than the others.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

They don't have such a big profile in the UK but I'll certainly keep them in mind... Pretty hooked on the hotels.com reward scheme right now though...

@well-blazeredman6187 2 года назад

Resort fees? Yep - a complete rip-off. Part of the attraction of booking hotels, as a package, through either Tui or BA is being spared these fees. Well, at least as an unwelcome add-on.

@MattsPlanet 2 года назад

Thanks Nicholas. I don't recall seeing a resort fee outside of the US, but I have seen some packages to the US where resort fees are payable locally and aren't included in the package. Stick to Asia!

@1337placeholder Год назад

It should be illegal for them to even exist... they have a mafia business practice. They demand middleman payment for hotels... they destroy the system so they can charge people for it.

@MattsPlanet Год назад

Interesting perspective - how would people know about small independent hotels without using a booking engine?