Finding Cheaper Hotel Prices Outside of Comparison Sites

Freshie on 16/07/2022 - 01:47
Last edited 16/07/2022 - 10:07

Hey OzB family,

I had a look through the wiki but couldn't find further info on tips to secure cheaper prices/deals on hotels.

Does anyone have any additional strategies/resources/tips for finding better value hotel reservations outside of comparison sites and loyalty programs?
e.g., are there notable sites with exclusive deals/*deals you wouldn't find through comparison sites? Sites that sometimes have prices below what's shown on sites like Google Travel, Momodo, Skyscanner, Kayak etc.? My assumption and hope are that there may be sites like Groupon, Scoopon etc. that offer rare/unlisted deals that I'm unaware of as a rookie traveller.

I had come across www.classictravel.com/ which offers bonuses like F&B credit, early check-ins, and room upgrades when avail - on top of direct booking rates.
And I recently secured a 2-night stay at Radisson Blu Uluwatu for 40% less than any price I found through comparison sites, booking directly - via a club1hotels membership (often promoted on OzB by their team).
To my surprise, AirAsia had some hotels way below other prices too.

My final leg of an upcoming trip to Bali is in Ubud, and I'm hoping to find an accommodation deal that doesn't overstretch my budget, so am hoping to discover a few extra ways to get better value!

Check out all the latest Hotels Coupons & Deals
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Comments

  • Mechz on 16/07/2022 - 07:57
    +1

    If you found a site that showed a 'rare or unlisted deal' it would, by default, not be unlisted anymore.

    IME, find the best deal on a comparison site then contact the place asking if they have a better price if you go directly through them.

    • temporiser on 16/07/2022 - 08:26
      +3

      I would be interested in your success rate? My experience is they have never offered cheaper prices and only about 10% of the time do they match the price. This is across Accor, Hilton and IHG brands

      • capslock on 16/07/2022 - 08:54
        +5

        It's a myth. People who say they get better rates by calling direct never share actual examples because it is just not true. Plenty of stories though where the hotel refuses to beat online prices, the hotel just laughs at you and tells you to go ahead and book online if you want the cheaper price.

        • Mechz on 16/07/2022 - 09:00
          +1

          Most often it's AirBnBs, Booking.com places etc.

          The people I interact with tell me, next time you want to stay, contact us directly for a better rate. Which makes sense cutting out the booking platforms.

        • 87percent on 16/07/2022 - 09:46
          +1

          I do this and can confirm it works. Recently booked a weekend stay at The Windsor in Melbourne. Comparison sites had it at about the $200 mark, but calling direct got it for $195

        • Gaz1 on 16/07/2022 - 20:59

          Typically it works with the smaller places where you are dealing with the owners & they are aware of the very high commissions taken by booking.com, etc.

    • Freshie on 16/07/2022 - 10:14

      My bad. Worded that incorrectly.
      I meant deals that are exclusively offered through a website and so *wouldn't be listed on comparison sites - which is where I'm searching for prices atm.

      I'll give a crack at asking hotels directly! Will report back. Cheers

    • scottishdave on 16/07/2022 - 11:25
      +2

      This is a good website http://www.hotelscomparison.com/

      Its search engine gives similar results to classictravel.com but includes less luxurious hotel too.

  • 87percent on 16/07/2022 - 08:39
    +1

    I normally use comparison sites, and then call up the accomodation directly to match

  • capslock on 16/07/2022 - 08:50
    +2

    12% cashback through CR/SB works for me.

    • Freshie on 16/07/2022 - 10:16

      Nice. Didn't realise the increased cb!

  • Gaz1 on 16/07/2022 - 20:58
    +2

    Many of the big hotel chains have best rate guarantees & I've been quite successful with Hilton, Marriott, etc in the past. You just need to carefully follow the rules & if they require you to book before lodging a price guarantee request make sure you don't book a non-cancellable rate in case they find a loophole in your rate.

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