Book hotel direct, or through agent?

Savvy_Sue

There is probably a very obvious answer to this question, but I haven't been able to find it with a quick search ...

I want to book a holiday in a particular hotel in Fuerteventura. If I book direct, it looks as if I can save about 30 euros over booking through an agent which specialises in this kind of holiday.

But am I missing out on any protection if I book direct? I've looked at the agent's site, and I can't see that I am, although presumably if there were serious problems with the hotel either before or during our stay they'd help us find an alternative.

I don't think there's any way of booking flights and this hotel through the same company to get the ATOL protection.

mandi

Hi Savvy ,

I always book my hotel directly when I can and never had any problems .

P.s I love Fuertuventura where are you looking to stay ?

Doshwaster

What "protection" will the travel agent give you? Is the hotel likely to go bankrupt?

€30 is a significant amount of spending money for your holiday. Better in your pocket than an agents.

ferf1223

We would always book direct with the hotel...I can't really see any benefit in going via an agent (particularly if doing so is more expensive)...we have been known to pay more to book direct...just prefer our relationship to be with the hotel and not have to worry about any communication issues we are not a party to.

How many posts here have there been about booking via an agent/3rd party where at some point the poster receives notice that the hotel is oversold and they're being moved or out of luck?

How many of those posts have there been when the booking has been with the hotel directly?

Savvy_Sue

mandi wrote: »

I always book my hotel directly when I can and never had any problems .

P.s I love Fuertuventura where are you looking to stay ?

I'm not anticipating any problems, and we've done it various ways in the past, but it's only this time I've thought "what ARE we paying for?"

Gran Natura, Corralejo. We know Corralejo reasonably well, and know where and what it is.

Doshwaster wrote: »

What "protection" will the travel agent give you? Is the hotel likely to go bankrupt?

€30 is a significant amount of spending money for your holiday. Better in your pocket than an agents.

I have no reason to believe the hotel will go bankrupt, I know someone's who's used it, it has excellent reviews on tripadvisor, so ...

We have insurance, and I'll be paying on visa, so if there IS a problem we'll have to sort it ourselves.

ferf1223 wrote: »

We would always book direct with the hotel...I can't really see any benefit in going via an agent (particularly if doing so is more expensive)...we have been known to pay more to book direct...just prefer our relationship to be with the hotel and not have to worry about any communication issues we are not a party to.

How many posts here have there been about booking via an agent/3rd party where at some point the poster receives notice that the hotel is oversold and they're being moved or out of luck?

How many of those posts have there been when the booking has been with the hotel directly?

This isn't one of my 'regular' boards so I wouldn't really know!

I think I'm getting my answer: I've read the full t&c on the agent's website, and apart from 'help' if we need it there doesn't seem to be any legal protection. to admit it, I think I've always assumed there WAS some legal protection from using an agent.

rustyboy21

I always try and book hotels abroad direct with themselves. I have never had an issue and most of the time, I have been given better rooms than I booked.


Remember, they have no sales commission to pay out, so everything they get, they have themselves. Your holiday insurance should cover any issues. I normally pay for the hotel at the end of the stay too, so no up front costs.


Don't worry, it will be fine.

Savvy_Sue

Well, I have been and gone and done it.

Hotel booked, flight booked, car hire initiated.

If it all goes wrong, I shall know who to blame!!!

But yes, you can get quite a lot of good ice cream for the saving I've made!

stephb34

The main problem would be if we had something like the ash cloud again, you would have to pay for the extra nights accommodation until the airline could get you home, if it was a package you would stay for free. The other thing is if your airline goes bust are you stuck with the hotel paid for and not able to get there or do you pay for the hotel when you get there?

gingerdad

For me it's always book direct and if possible through a local site. Often cheaper to book on the national site for a large co than the global one.

I've avoided travel agents and tour operator since the early 1990s when I worked in the airline industry.

PeacefulWaters

ATOL protection is provided if you book flights and hotels (or flights and car hire) together with a UK supplier.

Sometimes the package holiday is cheaper than DIY.

If you book direct via credit card you will have Section 75 protection (unless total cost is less than £100).

I tend to book my hotels via Top Cashback and Hotels.com. That way I get around 8% commission on every stay and a free night for every 10 nights booked. I suspect this breaks the chain that gives S75 cover but feel adept enough to recover if it hits the fan on arrival (it never has).

A half decent travel insurance policy is probably a no brainer too.

Doshwaster

stephb34 wrote: »

The main problem would be if we had something like the ash cloud again, you would have to pay for the extra nights accommodation until the airline could get you home, if it was a package you would stay for free. The other thing is if your airline goes bust are you stuck with the hotel paid for and not able to get there or do you pay for the hotel when you get there?

The airlines which have gone bust in recent years are the ones operated by tour operators themselves. The odds on the likes of Easyjey or BA going bankrupt are about the same as your holiday being ruined by an asteroid impact.