Hi! I've read a lot of rec to go to Quikbook for getting a hotel in NY(and elsewhere). Is Quikbook a consolidator like travelocity, expedia, orbitz and hotels.com? I guess my concern/question is, if I encounter any problems(such as I have several times in the past when I've booked rooms through hotels.com and orbitz), because I got the hotel through them, the hotels couldn't really help me directly since I have to take up the issue with hotels.com and orbitz ( aside from the fact that when you book a hotel, you get charged right away and penalties for cancellation.
The other thing is I've noticed that if you get the hotel from hotels.com and orbitz, you can get a better room for the same price if you book to the hotel directly(which is what I've now done).

My other question then is, what is the advantage of booking through quikbook rather than to the hotel directly?

Thank you so much! I am trying to get us a hotel in NY and wondered which route is the best way to go.

I've had good success through quikbook, so I can't respond to a question about how complaints are handled -- never had a complaint.

One advantage quikbook has over a lot of other similar sites is that often you're not charged until you actually check in to the hotel. Sometimes you have to follow the hotel policy of informing them 24 hrs (or similar) in advance if you're not going to show up.

How does QB arrange for rooms? I dunno. I guess a lot like Orbitz, etc.

My last experience with QB involved the Michelangelo, a nice little hotel in midtown Manhattan. When we arrived, I asked (nicely) about an upgrade for our anniversary, and they put us in a suite at no extra charge. So don't believe the stories that you can't get upgraded when you book thru a site like QB.

The advantage to using Quikbook has been better rates than are available elsewhere. That has changed somewhat as hotels get more competitive and offer "lowest rate gauranteed" on their own site but they still often offer good deals. Most times payment in advance is not required, though occasionally they are some deeply discoutned rates that do require prepayment.
I have used Quikbook several times over the years, only had a problem once a couple years ago and it was quickly resolved with a phone call (turned out to be a screw up by the hotel). They provide a toll free customer support number.

I was in Chicago in September - booked through Quikbook, cheaper then hotel's website.

Doesn't matter how I book, I always re-confirm with the hotel directly.

Quikbook sent me an e-mail after vacation, to follow up on my stay, to ask me for a review.

If the price is right, I wouldn't hesitate to use Quikbook. If I remember correctly, they don't charge cancellation fees ($25 Expedia), but double-check.

I'll let you know after this weekend. I have never had a problem with Quikbook but I usually also look at the specific hotel's website. For this trip I was interested in the Michelangelo. Quikbook had availability for $205. The hotel website has a low price guarantee but showed no availability for this weekend. Direct call to hotel confirmed "no availability" I was able to confirm with Quikbook and received my Quikbook confirmation number and my hotel confirmation number today. I will confirm with the hotel directly tomorrow.

<if I encounter any problems(such as I have several times in the past when I've booked rooms through hotels.com and orbitz>

What problems have you had that the hotel could not solve (that you feel the hotel should have)?

Our Quikbook reservation worked very well. As I said in an earlier post, the Michelangelo told me that they didn't have any availability while Quikbook said they did at $205. The day before we left I called the hotel and was able to confirm our reservation. When we checked in we didn't have any problems. As a matter of fact, we were upgraded to a suite.

I love quickbook. But ALWAYS confirm directly with the hotel that you are in their system. Mistakes have been made, but easily avoided with a phonecall.