When booking a hotel, travelers are often faced with a choice: go directly to the hotel’s website or use an online travel agency (OTA) like Expedia, Hotels.com, or Priceline. While OTAs promise convenience and comparison shopping, direct booking has grown increasingly competitive—offering perks and discounts you might not expect.
So which option really gives you better value? The answer depends on what kind of traveler you are and what you’re looking to get out of the stay.
Here’s a breakdown of how direct booking compares to third-party platforms when it comes to price, perks, and flexibility.
Price: Are OTAs Really Cheaper?
OTAs like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Priceline often highlight slashed rates and last-minute deals. They excel at price transparency—letting you compare rates across brands, locations, and dates in one place.
However, many hotel brands now offer “member-only” pricing when you book directly, especially through their loyalty programs. These discounted rates aren’t listed on OTAs, meaning you may actually pay less by booking direct.
Check these loyalty programs for direct booking discounts:
Perks: What Do You Get With Direct Booking?
When you book directly with the hotel (and are signed into your loyalty account), you typically unlock benefits such as:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Digital check-in and mobile key
- Late checkout (when available)
- Complimentary upgrades
Most of these perks are not offered when booking through OTAs. In fact, many hotels don’t recognize loyalty benefits for third-party bookings, meaning you may miss out on points, upgrades, or stay credits.
Flexibility and Cancellation Policies
Direct bookings generally offer more flexible cancellation and modification policies. Many hotel chains allow free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before check-in when booked directly.
By contrast, OTA bookings may be non-refundable or subject to stricter terms. Changing a reservation often requires going through the OTA’s customer service—not the hotel—adding friction to your travel plans.
Reward Stacking: More Value With Direct Booking
Booking direct also allows you to stack rewards using loyalty programs, travel credit cards, and cashback platforms. For example, with Fluz, you can earn cashback with a Hilton gift card, get rewards with a Hyatt gift card, or earn cashback with a Marriott gift card—then apply the gift card at checkout through the hotel’s website and still earn loyalty points.
This layered approach means you’re saving upfront and earning future rewards—something OTAs typically don’t allow.
When OTAs Might Make Sense
There are still times when using an OTA can be worthwhile:
- Booking less-common or boutique hotels not part of a loyalty network
- Planning multi-stop itineraries with bundled deals (hotel + flight + car)
- Finding last-minute rooms in overbooked cities
- Using OTA-specific reward programs like Expedia One Key
Conclusion
While OTAs offer convenience and price comparisons, booking directly with a hotel often gives you more in return: better rates, flexible terms, loyalty perks, and reward stacking opportunities. For travelers who want maximum value—especially when using platforms like Fluz—direct booking is the smarter, more strategic choice.
