Alternative to booking.com

Bonking_Mad

Can anyone recommend a reputable online agency for booking a hotel with and paying upfront

2 reasons for booking through 3rd party

a) Prices on hotel website much higher than online agencies.

b) Prefer to pay upfront rather than check-in at hotel (helps us manage our money easier)

Stevie_Palimo

Hotels.com
trivago.com
cheap-rooms.com

I could go on but all the website engines that look at hotel costs are about the same sort of costs and I did find booking.com cheaper on numerous occasions but not by a lot. Most would take a deposit I believe and balance on the stay, Move the money to another account for now or try to control the spending urges.

Voyager2002

I use Agoda and Hotels.com. For both of them, you pay the full price at the time of making a booking.

Don't forget to use a cash-back site. Let me know if you would like a referral to TopCashBack.

PompeyPete

Agoda and Booking.com offer basically the same products...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Priceline_Group

...but market them differently, and it pays to be careful before pushing the BUY/RESERVE button. Sometimes their prices are the same but sometimes they're not, ditto with cancellation policies which vary widely from hotel to hotel.

I prefer to use Agoda and pay up-front for the same reason as the OP, but it makes sense to do as many comparisons as possible, especially if a lot of money is involved.

If the cost of booking direct with the hotel is very close to Booking.com [or whoever], then I'd book direct with the hotel as you'll have created a direct link which might come in handy if you have any problems.

paddyrg

ebookers - try looking through their app using promo code 'app15' or 'app18', their initial prices are similar or higher, but those codes can make a big dent.

One thing you can always try though is finding a price on trivago (which compares the sites) then calling the hotel directly and asking if they will let you book direct? It saves them platform fees, and they may upgrade you ahead of an agency booking if space gets limited.

Kernow666

booking.com is always my 1st choice as you have an option for free cancellations second would be hotels.com as they have a free nights promo and both you can get cashback via TCB or quidco

Bonking_Mad

Handy info cheers, Booking.com prices doesn't include taxes, so, I'll still have a bill to pay at the hotel.

eclipse2015

I have often found Expedia to be cheaper than Booking.com as they include all taxes in the price
They often do 10% off days if you sign up to their newsletter, and offer great cashback on Quidco

PompeyPete

Bonking_Mad wrote: »

Handy info cheers, Booking.com prices doesn't include taxes, so, I'll still have a bill to pay at the hotel.

Which hotel and what dates?

Bonking_Mad

PompeyPete wrote: »

Which hotel and what dates?

Not decided yet, just trying to find a reputable company before narrowing down my search.

Doshwaster

I tend to use Expedia + Quidco. The cashback typically varies between 8-12%.