Hotel reservations: better online or by phone?
If you need to book a hotel room before you arrive, there are more than a few options simply because shopping online means other options. Like which online site to use? Using an ‘auction’ site? A corporate or franchise site? A third party “discount” site? The other option is to call the hotel directly.
Call Direct: The advantages are many. You can easily get directions for driving or shuttle services, instant confirmation numbers, the ability to ask the front desk agent or reservationist for details about the property, etc. Different rates can be discussed. When times are competitive (summer, season, sell-out conditions in the area) there are fewer rate options. That’s why it’s good to TALK to someone: a week later, the rate may be 1/3 of the desired date. Always ask for the lowest best available rate; be it Internet rate, online rate, triple A, etc. One drawback is the cost of the phone call, unless the hotel has an 800 number. My travel advice is that this is the best option, especially if you have questions about the hotel or the area.
Book Online: Pros: Rate will generally be the lowest (at least as far as corporate and franchise direct sites are concerned) you’ll find anywhere. Most reservations are completely secure and credit card information is protected. There is no need to wait on the phone for a human. Cons: Usually more expensive than just showing up at the hotel or motel. You may need to prepay for early dates (doesn’t make financial sense in the long run) AND the reservation may not be cancelable, even if it’s months away. There is no communication with the hotel at all, so you can’t ask where the nearest cafe 24 is. I can’t even find the hotel’s phone number on 3rd party sites. The confirmation number provided by third-party sites is NOT the same number used by hotels, so verifying a reservation can be more difficult. Special Requests” are not always transmitted.
There are valid reasons to use ALL of these strategies. The one that suits the majority of your needs (whether time, money, or both) is the one to use, even if you require more of one than the other.