Hotel loyalty schemes - not as cheap as you may think

Tom Dunne

Just thought I would pass on this little nugget.

I signed up on the Marriott and Radisson hotels websites some time back. Over the past couple of years, I have booked quite a few nights away on both sites.

Only last night, I was booking two nights in Berlin in the Radisson, when my Better Half suggested looking at Yeego.com. There it was, the same Radisson hotel for a lot less, despite the hotel's website claiming the best possible rate was available there. I was full sure that the respective hotel chains' websites would be cheaper than intermediaries, how wrong I was.

So if you are booking a hotel, especially on the hotel's own website, make sure and shop around before you part with your hard-earned cash.

Ruu_Old

I normally book through Trip Rewards (includes a number of hotels) and avoid the hotel chain website for some reason. There ya go, learn something new every day, didn't know that.

jdivision

you're right to shop around but as far as I know Radisson will refund any difference you can find so might be best to book through them to get the rewards and then highlight the alternative. I'm a member of Intercontinental Hotels and there's usually some sort of free upgrade available when you show up at the hotel and show your membership card.

mikedragon32

With the Six Continents group (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Intercontintal etc), they still award you the points even if you book with another website, once you produce your card at check-in.

Our man in Havana

I have found hotels.com to be consistently cheaper than the hotels own websites. I think out of 50 bookings I have only found 1 to be cheaper booking direct.