Hotel Savings Aren’t Always What They Seem: The Value of Booking Smart
Most travelers think they’re being savvy by booking through discount sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, or Booking.com. A slightly lower nightly rate feels like a win—until you arrive and realize what you actually gave up.
The truth is: those “savings” often end up costing more in lost value than what you saved in dollars. When you don’t know how the system works, you’re missing out on perks, recognition, and experiences that can completely transform a stay.
A Real Example: Country Club Lima Hotel
This summer, Amanda and I needed a quick overnight stop in Lima before flying home from Cusco. I’d heard great things about the Country Club Lima Hotel, so I booked the cheapest room at the Best Available Rate directly offered by the hotel—through my agency.
Here’s what happened when we checked in:
✨ Champagne welcome and warm greeting
✨ Complimentary suite upgrade
✨ Handwritten note from the GM with chocolates and treats bedside
✨ Complimentary three-course dinner with drinks in their award-winning restaurant
✨ Boxed breakfasts to-go since we were departing early
All of this was included because the property is a Virtuoso member—and so is my agency.
Meanwhile, another traveler we know had booked on Expedia to save a little on the nightly rate. Same property, same dates—but they received:
❌ No upgrade
❌ No welcome amenities
❌ No complimentary meals
❌ No recognition
On paper, they “saved” a few bucks. In reality, those so-called savings cost them hundreds of dollars in lost value and thus paying more for the trip after dinner, drinks, and breakfast.
Why This Happens
Hotels invest heavily in their preferred travel advisor programs (Virtuoso, Marriott STARS, Hyatt Privé, Hilton for Luxury, Fora Reserve, etc.) because they know that guests who book through advisors tend to spend more on property—on dining, drinks, spa treatments, and experiences. Industry data shows that clients who seek advice on the right hotel for their travel goals are the ones who see the property as an integral part of the trip. These guests are more likely to return if they enjoy the experience, more likely to invest in what the hotel offers beyond just the room, and more likely to generate organic word-of-mouth. After all, how many of us pick a hotel because we saw an ad—versus the one a family member or friend couldn’t stop raving about?
These programs are also a way for hotels to help advisors differentiate their business and encourage them to recommend their brands. To attract the right kind of travelers, hotels load these programs with perks such as daily breakfast, property credits, upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, welcome gifts, and even GM-level recognition. (Read more about these programs and their benefits here.)
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Hotels.com, by contrast, are purely transactional platforms. Yes, you might save a few dollars up front, but OTA guests are rarely the ones hotels choose to invest in. Why? Because those bookings are typically made on price alone. These travelers often see the hotel as “just a place to sleep,” not as part of the travel experience—and the hotel knows they’ll likely choose a different property next time if it’s a little cheaper.
That’s not to say all OTAs are bad—I actually love Tablet—and there are certainly times when using an OTA makes sense. But with discount-driven sites, the key to understand is this: that discount usually comes at the cost of earning hotel points and loyalty status. And when you book direct instead of through a preferred travel advisor, you’re also missing out on the extra perks unlocked through advisor-only programs.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s the lesson: spending smarter beats spending less.
- Booking through discount sites = short-term savings, long-term lost value. Hotels aren’t as keen to invest in these guests because they’re the least likely to return.
- Booking directly = standard experience, no perks.
- Booking hotel member rates/programs = some recognition through points and status, but benefits are tied to loyalty rather than the stay itself.
- Booking through a travel advisor = same Best Available Rate (BAR) or member rate you’d see online, but with the added weight of working with someone who values experiences. Hotels know these guests sought guidance, which signals they’ll likely spend more on property.
- Booking through a preferred travel advisor = often BAR rates (instead of member rates), but packed with perks—because hotels know advisors who specialize in curated, luxury-focused travel bring in their most valuable guests. These travelers get the upgrades, the credits, and the high-touch service—even if they were simply being savvy and in-the-know.
That’s why I no longer chase loyalty status or stress about holding credit cards with $700 annual fees. The real hack is choosing the right booking channel for the given adventure. Not to say I don’t have travel credit cards or hotel status—I do. I just don’t rely on the cards for bookings, and I let status accumulate organically rather than forcing myself into a specific brand just to snag a comped breakfast or a “maybe” upgrade.
Final Thought
This all comes down to information—because travel advisors aren’t just for the wealthy. I know most people can book their own travel; I hear it all the time: “Why use an advisor if I can just book myself?” My answer is simple: because we save you time, and we know the industry. This is what I do every day, and I’m constantly learning so you don’t have to.
Most travelers don’t realize that the same room, on the same night, can deliver a completely different experience depending on how it’s booked. Now that you know, you don’t have to settle for less.
On your next trip, before defaulting to Expedia or even booking direct, let me check what perks your stay could include. More often than not, I can unlock upgrades, credits, and VIP treatment—without changing the rate. And if another booking channel makes more sense for your needs, I’ll guide you there too.
👉 Curious what your next stay could look like? Send me your travel dates and destination—I’ll show you how much more you can get from the same booking.
