Booking hotel direct or through Expedia etc...
 

I am wondering if it is more cost effective given the exchange rate, and the charges many credit cards attach for foreign transactions, to book a hotel through Expedia versus directly with the hotel.

My example is Las Casas de la Juderia.
160 Euro per night when I contacted them.
$190 per night through Expedia.
assuming a conversion rate of 1.25 that's a $10 per night savings.

Am I oversimplifying this?
Is there a downside?

Does the $190 through Expedia include all taxes and fees? Have you gone to the final screen to see the total price?

no, I think you can often save something by booking through Expedia, as long as you compare the rates to make sure. Besides, the conversion rate could be worse again when you actually stay there (1.25 is pretty good compared to last year).

Do make sure of any addon service fees or taxes, but the main disadvantage I know of is that you must prepay on Expedia, and I believe it could be nonrefundable. If you book yourself, I imagine you do not pay until you actually stay there and have some cancellation window within a day or two.

What if you have questions or concerns with your booking? It's something to consider. I believe someone posted over the weekend some frustrations they are having with Expedia. It seems as though you will talk to reps. located in India due to outsourcing and there are problems in communicating what you need. As I said I think it was Expedia, but if I am wrong someone else will correct me.

Wherever in the world you are going, shop around. Just don't think rates, think about options, many international booking sites only offer a selection of what is really available, I have always found dealing with 'in country' services you find a lot more choices and options, and as someone said, watch those extras and the small print, you see a 'from' price and then there is tax, service and often breakfast to add on, so check what exactly you are getting. I never use the likes of Expedia but prefer to find local services that offer local places.

Many Hotels use a Booking service like Expedia and Booking services don't work for free. It's going to cost the Hotel and it's often going to cost you to use those Hotel room 'Brokers.'

If you speak the language and know Hotel 'lingo,' you should by all means book directly with the Hotel.

In the past, I have encountered some difficulty getting a Hotel's Telephone number - usualy the number listed on their website is the Broker's number. But I always found my way around that.

As far as I know, there is no 'downside' to booking directly with the hotel.

Your Casas de la Juderia example: 160 Euro ($200 USD) vs. $190 USD makes it look like Expedia is saving you $10 a night, but I wouldn't bank on it. In numerous trips to Ireland and to Spain, I have ALWAYS been able to 'book' at a rate cheaper than Expedia's or the 'Rack Rate.'

Hi Luna,

Have you phoned or faxed the hotel and asked if they will meet Expedia's rate?

Often they will.

((I))

I have used Expedia more times than I can count. I always shop around, using other travel sites like Orbitz and Travelocity, and also searching for hotels and airfares directly. I've found Expedia's rates to be the lowest in many cases, so I've booked through them with no problems countless times.

The downside is that you do pay in full, in advance, and there's a $25 change/cancel fee on a hotel. I've called their 800 number with booking questions, and always found them to be helpful.

Once, I even called Expedia after I checked into a hotel in Baltimore and spent one night, but the room was less spacious and not as nicely decorated as I expected. I don't know what I expected Expedia to do, I guess I was just calling to blow off steam. But the Expedia rep. got on the phone immediately with the hotel's front desk, to negotiate my options. The hotel said they'd let me out of my reservation, but I'd have to pay another night, but Expedia got them to give me a free upgrade to a suite. I took the suite and it was so much better furnished and comfortable, so I was more than happy with that outcome. (In fact, I still use that hotel whenever we're in that city.) Probably just dumb luck there was a suite available, since I was staying eight nights there while helping my daughter move into college-- but it made me a loyal Expedia fan,that's for sure!

Well the "Bookers" can sometimes be fantastic - a suite at The Hotel Forty Seven in Rome has a rack rate of €500.00 per night for when I want it - the last night of our honeymoon. When I spoke to them direct I was offered it at €450. Through Expedia it cost me €275.00! That's a saving of €225 on the rack rate and €175.oo on their verbal "best" offer.

However for other accommodation for our honeymoon I went direct and got good deals - The Antico Doge in Venice, Palazzo Bocci in Spello and for our villa on the Amalfi coast.

There is no hard and fast rule... you just have to do the hard work and draw your own conclusions.

(Off in 6 days, can't wait... oh yeah, small matter of a wedding to attend to first!")

Dr D.