Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, hotwire, etc....

[jenseib]

Is anyone better than the other? Is anyone cheaper htan the other? I assume they are all pretty much the same. I would like to hear your experiences with them.

 

[dr_nigel_c]

There are a handful of "sources" which most online booking sites use to access rates and availability. With the exception of some sites that add extra booking fees (to boost their commission/income), you'll find that most offer the same rates overall -- however, some work directly with specific hotels and arrange for lower rates, etc.

Your best bet, if you're looking for the overall lowest cost for a room, is to check out Kayak or Sidestep -- those sites scan all of the major online booking sites (as well as the websites of the major hotel chains) and show you the lowest rate available for each hotel.

 

[spiceycat]

also

www.travelzoo.com

 

[jenseib]

Thanks!

 

[lovinpoohbear]

One thing to remember, check out what the penalties are if you have to cancel. I booked w/Travelocity for my April trip and the penalties are outrageous!! Thats why I purchased the travelers insurance in case anyone gets sick! It was about 26 per person but gives me the piece of mind!!

 

[MattM]

Travelzoo always has a lot of deals for Orlando. Here's the link:

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/orlando-hotels/

I know a lot of my friends and family from out of state wait for the hotels they like in Orlando to show up discounted on Travelzoo, and that dictates when they come to Central Florida.

 

[MS_mom_1965]

You can also go to Tripadvisor. Scan down through the hotels with the features and ratings you are interested in, then ask for the current price. It will give you the cost from several different sites to compare.

I haven't stayed there yet, but I recently booked a room using Skoosh which was a good bit cheaper than the other sites.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks everyone. Now once you book there are no other hidden fees you get at the hotel are there? I noticed one Orlando Hotel on Hotwire said it would add 10 bucks a night to your stay once you got there. I'm not sure why. But didn't care for the hotwire site becuase it wouldn't tell you which hotel it was till you booked it.

We are now thinking maybe Colonial Williamsburg htis year too, since DH wants to go someplace different. But I thin kwith flight and hotel it would be cheaper in Orlando. But both sound fun to me.

 

[CarolA]

LOTS of hotels in Orlando have "hidden" charges. Resort fees of $10 a night are not at all uncommon. Parking fees are not uncommon......

 

[jenseib]

But don't they have to state it on the site? I mean I am assuming I am paying the bill in full if I book through one of those sites, so can they say once I get there that I owe them 40 more dollars? (Or whatever it may be?) If it isn't stated on th site I book from.

 

[CarolA]

But don't they have to state it on the site? I mean I am assuming I am paying the bill in full if I book through one of those sites, so can they say once I get there that I owe them 40 more dollars? (Or whatever it may be?) If it isn't stated on th site I book from.

No, not all of these online TAs disclose all of this.

Often if you read the hotel discription in detail it may say something. Plus remember that most of these sites do NOT include taxes either so you will owe more. (Hotwire's does include taxes)

 

[MattM]

Check the official hotel websites. They do state it there.

If you book through Travelzoo, the savings are still significant even with "resort" or "convenience" (read parking) fees are included.

 

[Q-man]

Try kayak.com(my fav.) and octopustravel.com too.