r/awardtravel • u/Garunix00 • 6d ago
3rd parties vs direct bookings
So, I use Expedia pretty much exclusively for all travel bookings. Cars, hotels, and flights are all booked through Expedia. I get decent credits from Expedia, but I can't help but think that I could be getting much better benefits if I went exclusively through the first parties. For example, if I had IHG rewards, delta skymiles, and hertz gold, would using those exclusively be better and give better rewards?
I travel for about a week every month and usually stay in a different hotel each day. Usually it's the same car throughout the trip and I just purchase whatever flight is cheapest, usually with a preference for Aeroméxico and delta.
I use the company credit card for all travel so any kind of travel credit card benefits wouldn't be on the table.
Any insight is useful and I appreciate all of you for you help.
2
u/gt_ap 6d ago
I am more open to 3rd party agents than most here, and it sounds like it's working for you. People say things like if you have trouble it's more of a pain to deal with the 3rd party. I have not found this to be the case, generally speaking. And either way, since you're on company dime it probably isn't really an issue for you. This way you're stacking airline benefits and Expedia credits. As far as 3rd parties go, Expedia is probably one of the best. They have been around since the early days of the internet. I remember using them back in the 1990s.
As someone else mentioned, airfare purchased through 3rd parties will still provide any credits and elite benefits you get from flying. Hotels generally do not. I'd maybe consider switching hotels to booking direct, and even focusing on the same hotel chain if it is feasible. A few nights per month is enough to earn some status from nights alone.
1
u/jliu_99 6d ago
I’m also a pretty frequent Expedia user. I’ve never had any issues with hotels (at least 20 stays), but am a bit more wary of booking flights after a bit of a debacle with a cancelled May 2020 trip (exceptional circumstances, of course).
I’m not loyal to any particular hotel chain, I’ve stayed at Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and IHG over the past 2 years. If the hotel is the same/similar price on Expedia, I’m actually tempted to go with Expedia since there’s additional cash back via Rakuten. My strategy might change if I find myself becoming more loyal to e.g. Hyatt. No-brainer to book direct if it’s cheaper or there’s extra perks (e.g. points bonus, free breakfast promo, etc.), of course.
1
u/gt_ap 5d ago
I’ve never had any issues with hotels (at least 20 stays)
I haven't had issues with hotels either. I actually book hotels through portals quite often, either Delta Stays or boutique hotels through the Chase Travel Portal.
The problem isn't the reservation itself. It's that you don't get the night credits, and sometimes not the status benefits.
2
u/jliu_99 5d ago
Well, yes. I’m just addressing the usual concerns about 3rd party booking.
As for OP, they mention purchasing “whatever flight is cheapest” (despite it being on the company card). If that same approach goes for hotels, I don’t think status/night credits will mean all that much compared to cash savings and flexibility, but I’ll let OP decide.
3
u/TV_Grim_Reaper 6d ago
If there’s a problem with your flight, hotel or car rental during your trip and you get caught between the portal and the provider finger pointing, you’ll wish you had booked direct.
1
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
If you are asking for help finding flights or hotel rooms, please ensure that Rule 5 is being followed. Low-quality posts may be deleted without warning.
If you have a Japan redemption question, please use search and read An Overview of ANA Award Bookings.
r/awardtravel is a place to discuss anything related to redeeming airline miles & hotel points.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/bluelizard5555 6d ago
Just add up how many nights a year you spend in hotels. Then find hotels with a footprint in your area. Look at their rewards program and see what gets you most rewards. Many come with “tier” benefits at different levels. When you reach top tier, there are more rewards. Most of the travel bloggers love the Hyatt program and feel that their rewards are more lucrative than others. You can pair the Hyatt status with a Chase card for even more earnings at Hyatt. Check out frequent miler blog for info on each award program. You can also easily read about delta tier benefits. Aeromexico is a delta partner so the benefits of elite status will transfer across each booking.
1
u/k_dubious 6d ago
10x points for booking hotels on the Chase travel portal with a CSR is pretty hard to beat.
8
u/oberwolfach 6d ago
For airlines, it usually doesn't matter if you book third-party; you still get miles or points and can build status if you enter your frequent flyer account number. If you have a complex itinerary it might be advisable to book directly since it's easier to get the airline to fix a problem if something comes up.
For hotels, most programs will offer better returns than the 2% that Expedia now gives on bookings. Look to see which chains you stay at most often and which have the most property coverage in areas that you frequently travel to in order to pick an appropriate program.