Travel Sites Online...watch Out (hotel, hotels, airlines, price)

[azloafer]

I was planning a family reunion to take place in California. I needed two suites. I went to two large travel sites online and was quoted prices that were the same from each. I decided to call the hotels directly. I found that both travel agencies had booked blocks of rooms that were non-view, lesser type rooms and that is what I would get. I asked for the price of view suites and got a price $20.00 less than the online sites. When we got to the hotel we saw the rooms that we would have gotten with the travel sites, not nearly as nice as the ones we got thru the hotel. My advice is to use the online sites for information about the hotel only, then book directly with the hotel.

[Scholar]

Good advice! I always get better prices by dealing directly with the hotel or hotel chain, and I have always had the same experience when dealing with airlines and car rental agencies.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Yes, there are a lot of hotel booking sites out there, and the general rule is to book direct, but if you are looking internationally, sometimes the sites work out okay. I usually deal direct, but have done all right with a site here and there.
There are several trustworthy hostel-booking sites.
I would never download any travel site software, though.
It really depends on what you are looking for; my favorite source of information is word of mouth.

[SouthBayTodd]

I use Expedia.com almost always for travel within the US and the rates are almost always the same or cheaper than if I book direct...maybe I'm lucky??

[azloafer]

Expedia and Travelocity were the two companies that gave me non-view rooms at a price higher than the hotel gave me for view rooms. My son-in-law travels a lot and he uses the online sites for information and pictures of the hotels and then calls them direct to get a better price. I do the same now.