I’ve always used platforms like MakeMyTrip and Booking.com to book my flights, but I have never really booked hotels through them. Now, I have a trip coming up in November to Bangalore from Indore, and I am wondering if it’s better to book my hotel directly through the hotel’s website or continue using these third-party platforms. From what I’ve seen, both options have their pros and cons. On platforms like MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, and even Goibibo, there are usually tons of deals, cashbacks, and offers. You can also see a lot of reviews, compare prices easily, and even earn points. But then I wonder, does that always guarantee the best price?
On the other hand, booking directly through the hotel’s website might offer more flexibility. I’ve read that hotels sometimes give exclusive offers, like free upgrades, early check-in, or even discounts for direct bookings. However, this doesn’t always seem to be the case, especially with larger chains where third-party platforms might have negotiated better bulk pricing. But here’s the thing – I want to make sure I’m not missing out on any hidden discount codes or exclusive offers that might only be available directly through the hotel. Do hotels in Bangalore offer better deals on their own websites? And is the experience of managing bookings, cancellations, or modifications easier when dealing directly with the hotel?
Has anyone had experience booking through these platforms versus going directly to the hotel’s site? Which option has better customer service, or cancellation policies? I would love to hear from anyone who’s dealt with this, especially for hotels in Bangalore. I want to make sure I’m getting the best value for my stay, as I plan to book in the next few weeks. Looking forward to your suggestions.
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I’ve booked hotels both ways—sometimes through Booking.com and MakeMyTrip, and sometimes directly from the hotel’s website. From my experience, it depends on the hotel. For large hotel chains (like Taj, Marriott, or Hyatt), booking directly often gives you perks like free breakfast, early check-in, or loyalty points. They also tend to have price-match guarantees, so if you find a cheaper rate on a third-party platform, they might match it. For smaller hotels and budget accommodations, third-party platforms tend to offer better deals. Sites like MakeMyTrip and Goibibo usually have exclusive discounts and cashback offers that the hotel itself won’t provide. One major advantage of booking directly is that it’s easier to modify or cancel a booking without extra charges. If you book through a third-party site, you often have to deal with their customer service instead of the hotel directly, which can sometimes be a hassle. For Bangalore specifically, I’d recommend checking both options. Try searching for your hotel on MakeMyTrip and Booking.com, then visit the hotel’s website to compare. If the price is similar, book directly for better service and perks. Otherwise, go for the platform with the best deal.
That’s really helpful! I didn’t know that bigger hotel chains offer price-matching and perks for direct bookings. I am looking at mid-range hotels, so I will compare both options before booking. Also, flexibility is important to me in case my plans change, so that’s a good point about cancellations. Thanks a lot!
i always use make my trip coz they have crazy cashback offers and discounts sometimes the price is much lower than the hotel website but yeah if you want to change or cancel your booking it’s easier when you book direct so depends on what’s more important for you
Yeah, the cashback offers are tempting! I’ll definitely check if MakeMyTrip has better discounts for my dates. Thanks for the tip!