Do hotels prefer direct bookings?

Reality is, hotels tend to offer the best rate when guests book directly with them. At the same time, hotels are very clear about their prices in order to avoid any misunderstandings that might affect the guests' experience. Because of this, when you book directly with a hotel, prices are final and free of hidden fees.



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Direct booking can be more profitable for hotels because it eliminates the commission fees that are typically charged by OTAs. These fees can range from 15-30% of the room rate, which can significantly impact the hotel's bottom line. By encouraging guests to book directly, hotels can increase revenue and profitability.

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In 2019, only 11.8% of bookings were made directly. In 2021, this figure climbed to 21.5%, an increase by 82% in two years. In the first quarter of 2022, the share of direct bookings was on average 19.3%, which indicates that booking directly remains significantly more popular than was the case in 2019.

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“Throughout the day of check-in, prices keep decreasing,” says Shank. “If there are still these empty rooms by 4 p.m. the day of arrival, the hotel will have a lot of certainty that they are not going to get filled otherwise. That's when they're really willing to put a really, super good deal on it.”

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You may get an upgrade because the type of room you booked is unavailable or there's an issue with your room and the hotel staff want to go out of their way to make things right. If you don't luck into an upgrade, you may be able to sweet-talk your way into one.

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Most travel agencies agree that the cheapest days to book hotels are Fridays and Saturdays. While these are the most expensive days for actually checking in and out, the best hotel rates are on the days when most people are traveling.

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In short, remember that getting the best deal on a hotel room comes down to a few basic rules: Make your bookings on a more favorable day of the week (try Tuesday or the weekend), try for last-minute bookings if you can (maybe make a back-up booking with a flexible cancellation policy and check back for any last-minute ...

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According to HotelTechReport's rankings, which are based on real user reviews and software specs, the best hotel booking engine is Cloudbeds, which was voted #1 at the 2021 HotelTechAwards. Other top booking engines include Bookassist, SiteMinder, NetAffinity, and Avvio.

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On average, the same-day rate of a hotel room is 10% cheaper than booking in advance. But this comes with a caveat. Don't rely on this strategy if you're traveling to a busy tourist city or a town where a large event is happening. You might be fortunate, but most people book rooms well in advance.

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Is it rude to ask for a free upgrade at a hotel? When it comes to a hotel room upgrade, ask and you shall receive. That's right, a polite request can sometimes do the trick, which surprises frequent guests like Allan Jordan.

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Even if you don't have status, here are five tips that may help you snag a free upgrade to a more luxurious room:
  1. Join one or more hotel loyalty programs. ...
  2. Avoid travel sites and book directly with the hotel. ...
  3. Ask staff for a hotel room upgrade. ...
  4. Let staff know if you have an issue. ...
  5. Plan your stay during the off-season.


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If the desk clerk is not helpful, politely ask to speak with the hotel manager. Do not be afraid or intimidated to complain and ask for a change of room. YOU are the paying customer and it is their job to make you happy.

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“Actually, hotel prices decline the longer you wait,” says Shank, “so if you haven't made plans yet, you can be rewarded for that with a better deal.” Same-day rates on HotelTonight are, on average, 10 percent less than if you book the day before, according to Shank.

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Most extended stay guests book accommodations for at least one week. This is because the average nightly rate is discounted when guests stay longer.

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Many business travellers use this option when they need a place to rest before their next meeting or flight. While this can be a more expensive option, it is often worth it for the convenience and comfort it provides. Another option is to find a hotel that offers hourly rates.

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