Hotels: where do you book yours?

Afternoon,

I'm interested to hear where you recommend as the cheapest website for booking hotels?

I've always used Hotels.com (6 miles/£1 through VS online shopping link) and with the price match I've always shopped around to ensure i'm paying the cheapest rate whilst securing the miles.

Opodo is always cheaper, but obviously doesn't offer any miles!

Thanks,

Cal

I use Booking.com as generally it offers a rate with free cancellation. Otherwise I have been known to use our company's travel service...

That said, 6 miles to the £ has swung me to Hotels.com and I have rebooked using that route...

Usually book through Expedia through the link on VS for online shopping

[Neil]

Usually direct on the hotels website (or through PTS for FHR hotels). I never book non-refundable rates until a few days before as I like to keep my options open.

[mitchja]

I also book direct with hotel. Many hotel chains now offer a book direct for the best price guarantee anyway these days.

Thanks for your responses everyone, great to hear the different approaches.

The great thing i've found with hotels.com is they will always match the rate, i've had around £70 refunded just from price differences between hotels.com and Opodo.

I've been unable to find any hotels cheaper than Opodo, but like to price match with hotels.com.

Like Neil I only ever book directly with the hotel and only on a fully refundable rate or no prepayment required - I like having the freedom to change my plans if needed. 8D

I always book direct and go for the cheapest nonref rate if I have status with the chain so that I can have the points/upgrade amenities. If I don't have status, usually use hotels.com.

It varies -- I shop around.

I always check:

1. expedia (gives you a rough idea of what many sites will be offering)
2. the hotel's own site (but often I can find better rates elsewhere)
3. amex -- occasionally it throws up some brilliant surprises
4. priceline -- I had to book a hotel at late notice last week in New York and was AMAZED at how much it saved me, when everyone else was quoting the same (horrific) rates.

Worth adding that if you go through quidco.com you can get an extra discount with most of the big chains, and Expedia and hotels.com. Currently 10% for hotels.com.

A variety of sources -sometimes with the hotel (or their managing group) directly (often using their price guarantee promise). Amex FHR can offer some good options too with their added benefits. In the main I use hotels.com (through Quidco)- not only do you get the cashback (eventually) but if you register an account with hotels.com you can accumulate one free night for every 10 stays (the free hotel night is an average of the 10 paid nights). Sometimes the Quidco cashback runs to 13% so can be quite a saving (a nice amount is tracking from my recent junket and a couple of free nights to boot ).
DL

One note though with hotels.com, I used them a bit for booking business stuff for my limited company. They don't seem to charge VAT, so if its business, you won't be able to reclaim the VAT.

I did a few bookings at an IBIS, the hotels.com bill mentioned no tax, the IBIS refused to give a receipt which covers the VAT because it reveals the margin they give to third party, so I was left stuffed and lost out about 80 quid of VAT to be refunded for 2 weeks stays..

I didn't even get the points, because I gave an a-club number at the desk after booking, which seems to knock out the virgin FF number. Guess being a newbie there... It was 4 per pound points at that point though...

Strangely, when I used them for a personal hotel booking the other day, hotels.com did have tax listed on the form. Bookings.com does.

I use skyscanner for searches and usually book hotels.com with a 10% discount code that always appears to be around

We book direct (through quidco where poss) and book cancellable. We have often then pre paid a cheaper rate a few days before. This way we know we have a room but we can often then get a better rate.

I use skyscanner for searches and usually book hotels.com with a 10% discount code that always appears to be around

A mix of sites like expedia and hotwire plus also look at the hotels own sites too.

If I spot a hotel on trip advisor I will use their price checking facility too - saves having to enter dates on loads of seperate sites

Always good to get a range of prices and see the reviews.

If possible also use links via quidco.

Research to find the best price for the hotel you want and then book direct. Quote the price you found and the hotel will always match it. Never pre-pay just to get a a few £'s off coz you'll loose the flexibility when the price drops.

When I stayed in San Franscico in 2010, our original 'room reserved' price dropped four times before we arrived and in the end we paid $200 less than expected for the TAJ hotel

We have always found the best prices from Trivago.

I'd made a reservation directly with Radisson for this week, using all the sites mentioned here, with the exception of looking at the Radisson site via Frequent Flyer. Just looked with that route and it's £20, so I thank you all! Like most of you, I prefer to have the option of cancelling with no penalty in case something better comes up - and this time it did

Happy bunny

Anyone know if I'll get the 500 miles though, as I made the booking online and, also, it mentions bringing along your FF card - not sure I even know where mine is....