Securing a cost-effective hotel room can significantly reduce travel expenses, potentially saving hundreds of dollars. While booking directly through a hotel’s website is straightforward, it may not always yield the best price. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and metasearch engines offer alternatives, but which platform provides the most value? This comprehensive guide explores the best websites and strategies for booking hotels at the lowest prices, detailing their features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you make informed decisions.
Why Booking Smart Matters
The cost of accommodations can be one of the largest expenses in travel planning. With numerous platforms available—ranging from hotel websites to OTAs and metasearch engines—each offers unique advantages. Some platforms provide loyalty rewards, while others focus on price comparisons or last-minute deals. Understanding these options ensures you maximize savings while securing the perks most relevant to your travel needs, such as elite status benefits or flexible cancellation policies.
Booking Directly Through the Hotel’s Website
Benefits of Direct Booking
Booking directly on a hotel’s website, such as those of Marriott, Hilton, or IHG, is often the preferred choice for travelers enrolled in loyalty programs. Direct bookings allow you to earn loyalty points and elite night credits, which are critical for maintaining or achieving elite status. Many hotel chains offer exclusive promotions, such as bonus points or discounted member rates, which are only available when booking directly.
For example, a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member booking directly can access perks like lounge access and complimentary breakfast. However, booking through an OTA like Orbitz may result in the hotel not recognizing your elite status, potentially forfeiting these benefits.
Considerations
Pros:
- Earn loyalty points and elite night credits.
- Access to member-only rates and promotions.
- Elite status benefits are typically honored.
Cons:
- Prices may not always be the lowest compared to OTAs.
- Limited price comparison without visiting multiple hotel websites.
Hot Tip: If you hold elite status with a hotel chain, booking directly is usually the best option to ensure you receive all associated benefits, including points and elite perks.
Exploring Online Travel Agencies and Metasearch Engines
Kayak: The Metasearch Powerhouse
Kayak operates as a metasearch engine, aggregating deals from multiple websites to display the best prices. Its standout feature is the interactive map, which shows hotel locations alongside popular areas for dining, sightseeing, and nightlife. This tool helps travelers visualize affordable options in desirable neighborhoods.
Kayak also offers Pricebreakers, opaque deals where the hotel’s identity is revealed only after booking. These deals display three possible hotels and can offer significant savings for flexible travelers.
Pros:
- Comprehensive map feature for location-based searches.
- Pricebreaker deals for budget-conscious travelers.
- Robust filtering options for tailored results.
Cons:
- May not always display the hotel’s direct website price, which can be cheaper.
- No loyalty program for frequent users.
Hot Tip: Use Kayak’s map and price slider to narrow down budget-friendly hotels in your preferred area.
Expedia: Rewards and Bundling Benefits
Expedia is a well-known OTA with a user-friendly interface and the One Key Rewards program, shared with Hotels.com and Vrbo. This program allows members to earn and redeem OneKeyCash on travel bookings, offering flexibility across multiple platforms. Expedia also provides members-only deals, which can lower costs for registered users.
Pros:
One Key Rewards program for earning and redeeming points.
- Members-only discounts on select bookings.
- Option to bundle flights and hotels for additional savings.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
- Some bookings are nonrefundable, so review terms carefully.
Hot Tip: Use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, such as the American Express® Green Card, to maximize rewards on Expedia bookings.
Priceline: Deep Discounts with Opaque Bookings
Priceline is renowned for its Express Deals and Pricebreakers, both opaque booking options that hide the hotel’s identity until after purchase. Express Deals are prepaid and nonrefundable but come with a generous best-price guarantee for VIP members, offering a 200% refund of the price difference if a better rate is found before travel. Pricebreakers provide three hotel options, ensuring one of them will be your booking.
Priceline’s VIP program offers additional perks, such as best-price guarantees and exclusive discounts, making it appealing for frequent travelers.
Pros:
- Significant savings through Express Deals and Pricebreakers.
- Priceline VIP program with escalating benefits.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
- Opaque bookings require flexibility due to nonrefundable terms.
Hot Tip: If your travel plans are flexible, Priceline’s Express Deals can offer substantial savings, especially for last-minute bookings.
Momondo: Simple and Effective Price Comparisons
Momondo is another metasearch engine that compiles hotel prices from various websites, redirecting users to the booking platform for completion. Its clean interface makes it easy to compare prices, though it lacks advanced filtering options compared to competitors like Kayak.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for quick price comparisons.
- Aggregates deals from multiple sources.
Cons:
- No loyalty program.
- Limited filtering capabilities.
Hot Tip: Use Momondo for a quick overview of prices, then cross-check with the hotel’s website for potential savings.
Booking.com: Flexible Options and Loyalty Perks
Booking.com stands out for its extensive inventory, including hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and vacation homes. Its Genius Loyalty Program offers discounts and perks like free breakfast or room upgrades based on the number of stays completed within two years. The platform’s low-price guarantee refunds the difference if a lower public rate is found within 24 hours of check-in.
Pros:
- Genius Loyalty Program with escalating benefits.
- Generous price-match guarantee.
- Wide range of accommodation types.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
Hot Tip: Log in to Booking.com to access Genius discounts, which can save 10% or more on select bookings.
Hotels.com: Rewarding Member Savings
Hotels.com shares the One Key Rewards program with Expedia and Vrbo, allowing users to earn and redeem OneKeyCash. Members can access exclusive pricing, saving an average of 15% on select bookings. However, reward nights include taxes and fees, which can reduce overall value.
Pros:
- One Key Rewards for earning and redeeming points.
- Members-only pricing for significant savings.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
- Taxes and fees apply to reward nights.
Hot Tip: Always log in to Hotels.com to check for member pricing before booking.
Orbitz: Bundling and Loyalty Rewards
Orbitz offers the Orbitz Rewards program, where users earn Orbucks on prepaid hotel stays, redeemable exclusively for hotels. The program includes elite status tiers, with benefits like Wi-Fi and breakfast after four stays and TSA PreCheck credits after 12 stays annually. Orbitz also excels at bundling, with flight and hotel packages often saving significant amounts.
Pros:
- Orbitz Rewards with escalating benefits.
- Savings on flight and hotel bundles.
Cons:
- Orbucks only earned on prepaid stays.
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
Hot Tip: Check Orbitz for vacation packages to save on combined flight and hotel bookings.
Hotwire: Last-Minute and Package Deals
Hotwire’s Hot Rate Hotels are opaque bookings that reveal the hotel only after purchase, offering deep discounts for flexible travelers. The platform also provides savings through vacation packages, combining hotels and flights for reduced rates.
Pros:
- Hot Rate Hotels for significant savings.
- Competitive vacation package deals.
Cons:
- No visibility of hotel-specific rates.
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
Hot Tip: Hotwire is ideal for last-minute travelers willing to book Hot Rate Hotels for the lowest prices.
AmexTravel.com: Premium Benefits for Cardholders
AmexTravel.com operates like an OTA, offering exclusive benefits for American Express cardholders, particularly those with The Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card®. Prepaid hotel bookings earn 5x points, and cardholders can access The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts for premium perks. However, using Membership Rewards points for bookings typically yields poor value.
Pros:
- 5x points on prepaid bookings for select Amex cardholders.
- Access to exclusive hotel programs.
Cons:
- Account required to view final pricing.
- Poor redemption value for Membership Rewards points.
Hot Tip: Avoid using Amex points for bookings; transfer them to partners for better value.
Agoda: Diverse Accommodations and Rewards
Agoda excels in offering diverse accommodations, including hostels and private homes, alongside traditional hotels. Its AgodaCash and AgodaVIP programs provide discounts and perks, with additional savings after completing just two bookings in two years.
Pros:
- AgodaCash and AgodaVIP for rewards and discounts.
- Extensive accommodation options.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
Hot Tip: Use Agoda’s map feature to find unique accommodations in your desired location.
Travelocity: Member Discounts and Packages
Travelocity offers member discounts on select hotels and savings on flight and hotel packages. While its interface is comprehensive, the savings from member rates may be minimal, and the platform doesn’t support hotel loyalty programs.
Pros:
- Member discounts on select hotels.
- Savings on travel packages.
Cons:
- No hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.
- Limited savings from member rates.
Hot Tip: Always compare Travelocity’s package deals with separate bookings to ensure savings.
Tripadvisor: Reviews and Price Comparisons
Tripadvisor is renowned for its user reviews but also functions as a metasearch engine for hotel bookings. It displays prices from multiple OTAs, allowing users to compare and book through partner sites.
Pros:
- Extensive customer reviews with real traveler photos.
- Price comparisons across multiple platforms.
Cons:
- Prices exclude taxes, which vary by website.
- No loyalty program.
Hot Tip: Use Tripadvisor to gauge hotel quality through reviews before booking.
Google Hotel Search: Simple and Informative
Google Hotel Search is a metasearch engine that aggregates prices and displays them alongside a map and price trend data. It’s ideal for quick comparisons but doesn’t support direct bookings or a loyalty program.
Pros:
- Price trend data for informed booking decisions.
- Intuitive map-based search.
Cons:
- No loyalty program or direct booking capability.
Hot Tip: Check Google’s price trends to time your booking for the lowest rates.
Skyscanner Hotels: Straightforward Price Aggregation
Skyscanner’s hotel search is simple, displaying the lowest prices from various websites. Its map feature aids location-based searches, but filtering options are limited.
Pros:
- Clear display of lowest prices.
- Map-based search functionality.
Cons:
- Limited filtering options.
- No loyalty program.
Hot Tip: Use Skyscanner for quick price checks before exploring other platforms.
HotelTonight: Last-Minute Deals
HotelTonight specializes in last-minute bookings but also supports advance reservations. Its app offers exclusive deals, and price alerts help track savings opportunities.
Pros:
- Excellent for last-minute bookings.
- Price deal alerts for proactive savings.
Cons:
- Limited filtering options.
- Some deals exclusive to the app.
Hot Tip: Download the HotelTonight app for access to exclusive last-minute deals.
Hopper: Predictive Pricing
Hopper’s mobile app uses predictive analytics to suggest the best times to book hotels, with a claimed 95% accuracy. Its price freeze feature allows users to lock in rates for up to 21 days, protecting against price increases.
Pros:
- Predictive pricing for optimal booking times.
- Price freeze option for flexibility.
Cons:
- No desktop booking.
- Automatically added fees require manual removal.
Hot Tip: Use Hopper’s color-coded map to identify the cheapest travel dates.
Trivago: Comprehensive Price Aggregation
Trivago, owned by Expedia, aggregates hotel prices from multiple websites. While easy to use, its featured price may not always be the lowest, so careful comparison is needed.
Pros:
- Broad price comparisons across websites.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Featured price may not be the lowest.
- No rewards program.
Hot Tip: Double-check Trivago’s featured price against other platforms for accuracy.
Price Comparison -A Case Study
To determine which platform offers the best value, we compared prices for a 7-night stay at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in the least expensive room, including taxes and fees:
Google Hotel Search: $1,803.70
Kayak: $1,808.90
Trivago: $1,808.90
Skyscanner Hotels: $1,843.31
Momondo: $1,875.81
Hotel’s Own Website: $2,009.87
Expedia: $2,046.70
Hotels.com: $2,046.70
Hotwire: $2,046.70
Orbitz: $2,046.70
Travelocity: $2,046.70
Tripadvisor: $2,046.70
Agoda: $2,046.71
Booking.com: $2,046.71
Priceline: $2,046.73
AmexTravel.com: $2,046.70
Hopper: $2,107.29
HotelTonight: N/A
Google Hotel Search offered the lowest price, followed closely by Kayak and Trivago. Hopper had the highest price, and HotelTonight did not provide a quote for this specific stay. Direct booking through the hotel’s website was more expensive but offered loyalty benefits.
Strategic Tips for Booking Hotels
Leverage Loyalty Programs: If you’re loyal to a hotel chain, book directly to earn points and elite benefits. OTAs typically don’t support hotel loyalty programs.
Use Metasearch Engines: Start with Kayak, Google, or Momondo to compare prices across multiple platforms.
Consider Opaque Bookings: Platforms like Priceline and Hotwire offer significant savings through opaque deals, ideal for flexible travelers.
Bundle for Savings: OTAs like Orbitz and Expedia often provide discounts when booking flights and hotels together.
Check Cancellation Policies: Ensure flexibility by selecting bookings with favorable cancellation terms.
Use Travel Rewards Cards: Maximize rewards by using cards that offer bonus points on travel purchases.
Monitor Price Trends: Tools like Hopper and Google Hotel Search provide insights into the best times to book.
FAQ’s
Is it better to book a hotel directly through their website or use an OTA?
Booking directly through a hotel’s website is ideal if you’re part of their loyalty program or hold elite status, as you’ll earn points and access perks like free breakfast or room upgrades. However, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com often offer competitive prices and additional rewards programs, making them better for travelers without hotel loyalty.
What are opaque bookings, and are they worth it?
Opaque bookings, like Priceline’s Express Deals or Hotwire’s Hot Rate Hotels, hide the hotel’s identity until after booking, offering significant discounts. They’re worth it for flexible travelers who don’t mind uncertainty about the exact hotel, but they’re typically nonrefundable, so ensure your plans are firm.
How can metasearch engines like Kayak or Google Hotel Search save me money?
Metasearch engines aggregate prices from multiple websites, allowing you to compare and find the lowest rates without visiting each site individually. Features like Kayak’s map or Google’s price trends help identify budget-friendly hotels and optimal booking times.
Can I earn hotel loyalty points when booking through an OTA?
Generally, no. Booking through OTAs like Hotels.com or Orbitz typically doesn’t earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits. If loyalty benefits are important, book directly with the hotel to ensure you receive points and perks.
What’s the benefit of booking a flight and hotel package?
Bundling flights and hotels through OTAs like Expedia or Orbitz can save money compared to booking separately. For example, a test booking showed savings of over $100 for a 7-night stay in San Francisco when bundled with a flight, making it a smart choice for combined travel needs.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best hotel deal requires balancing price, flexibility, and loyalty benefits. For travelers with hotel elite status, direct bookings ensure access to points and perks. For others, metasearch engines like Kayak and Google Hotel Search offer a quick way to find the lowest prices, while OTAs like Expedia and Orbitz provide rewards programs and bundling options. Opaque bookings on Priceline or Hotwire can yield significant savings for those with flexible plans. Always compare prices, check for hidden fees, and use a travel rewards credit card to maximize value. By strategically navigating these platforms, you can secure the best hotel deal for your next trip.
