Hotels.com or Expedia?

I usually book directly with the hotel, but it so happens that these two online companies have a better rate and room category and the hotel (Bellagio) won%26#39;t match it. Is there a difference between the two? Should I go with one company over the other?

Hotels.com or Expedia?

It is unusual that the hotel will not match the price you received from the other companies. Remember there is a %26#39;booking%26#39; fee. Is the total cost significantly less with Expedia or Hotels.com????? I can only say, I%26#39;ve used Expedia with no problems and have not used Hotels.com. Let us know what you decide.

Hotels.com or Expedia?

I always had better luck booking directly. When I wanted to book four tickets, two as a road trip where only the hotel was needed, and then flying two people from Seattle to Vegas, I had an interesting experience. The package from mgm mirage vacations was a very good price. We got a similar price at Bellagio for our room alone ($159 per night). But, then as time passed even better offers came about for Lakeview rooms at $139 etc. When I called to upgrade and change rates, I could only make that change with the direct booking with Bellagio. MGM Mirage vacations was set and no changes could be made without my having paid in advance for the ability to change any part of the trip.

So, unless it is a significant savings, I%26#39;d book directly.

what dates are you trying to book?

I would get quotes from everyone ... including the ';big three';: Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz,

also http://www.travelworm.com/, http://www.vegas.com/, http://www.hotels.com/, and others. Then I would call the hotel and tell them your results and see if they can beat your lowest quote. They frequently can/will.

If you need to fly to Las Vegas, always check out the main air-hotel package providers ...especially America West and Southwest airlines.

It%26#39;s for Memorial Day weekend 2006 - Saturday and Sunday night. A lakeview deluxe room is $409 a night booking directly with Bellagio and hotels.com has the same room for $302 a night. I%26#39;ve had Bellagio rates go down before, but I%26#39;m skeptical that Memorial Day weekend would go down much. What to do?

And I called Bellagio and asked if they would match the rate and was told no.

It probably won%26#39;t come down a lot for a holiday weekend. One thing, though, I have found that the companies have their set rates and can give you a rate for a far off future date because they know they can get their block of rooms at a certain price. The hotel websites are trying to promote upcoming times that are not so far off, so they don%26#39;t always do anything promotional with rates very far into the future. Since you are talking about late May, I am guessing that the hotel itself will come down to at least what expedia is offering, and probably moreso. You do just have to be aware that you have to book early for a weekend like that.

Now, you could book directly, and then plan to cancel if as time passes the rate doesn%26#39;t go down and you can still get a lower rate with another company.

hotels.com is owned by expedia.

this is how hotel reservations work:

when you book through a third party website (aka. wholesaler) your room is guaranteed at LRA (last room availability). this means that you may enter your room type request on the website (king vs. double; smoking vs. nonsmoking; view, etc.) but you get what is most available at the time of check-in. this is how you are able to obtain a deeply discounted rate compared to what is sold directly from the hotel. there is always fine print that will say something along the lines of ';Your special requests will be accommodated based on availability and are not guaranteed.'; coming from someone on the other side of the front desk, this is what you should do. Book a basic standard room on a discount website. then call the hotel directly and let them know that you are interested in upgrading. you can pay the upgrade charge (typically a set increment from the hotel%26#39;s standard room rate) and receive a nicer room with your desired requests all still at a lower price.

I prefer to book directly with the hotel because they don%26#39;t charge you to change your plans, unless it%26#39;s 24 hours or less. The travel sites charge around $25 to make any changes at all.

Ok so even though hotels.com is advertising it as a deluxe lakeview room, I may not get this upon check-in? It%26#39;s not guaranteed?