Holidaymakers who book through third-party websites may be increasing their chances of getting a less desirable hotel room, according to travel experts. While some dispute the claim, evidence suggests that direct bookings often come with perks and better room allocations.
Paul Scott, travel expert and founder of My Budget Break, explained that third-party sites can charge up to 25% in commission, incentivising hotels to prioritise direct bookers. 'Booking through a third-party website could lead to getting a worse room than if you had booked direct, but this isn't necessarily a deliberate act,' he said.
Hotels often offer incentives for direct bookings, such as discounts, extras, and room choices. For example, Hilton Hotels allows Hilton Honors members to select their room when booking directly, meaning better rooms may already be taken by the time third-party bookings are processed. Ben Firth of Gold79 added that direct bookings also grant access to packages and room categories not available through third parties.
Data supports these claims. An analysis of 500 hotel stays booked through third-party sites found guests were five times more likely to be assigned rooms near elevators or ice machines. A 2023 survey of hotel managers revealed that 62% prioritise direct bookings when assigning rooms. Additionally, a study showed that 78% of travellers who booked through third parties could not secure their preferred room type, compared to 23% of direct bookers.
However, Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner.com, pushed back, stating that room quality depends on availability, not booking method. 'Hotels rely heavily on third-party bookings, with approximately 36% of room bookings made via OTAs. They simply couldn't afford to treat these guests poorly,' he said.
