These days booking any kind of travel online is a growing business and some would say that this places a lot of power and control in the hands of the buyer.
There are numerous avid readers across the globe that are voracious in nature that simply cannot do without reading and writing every once in a while as most of them have an entire bookshelf regaling with their favorite books and novels that they completely immerse themselves in because travelling from Denver to Breckenridge is a phase where you have to carry a novel positively.
But it is important that you know how to get the best discounts and ultimately the best deal for you. So before you begin your quest to research your travel arrangements and try the online booking route, please check out these tips.
Not All Online Travel Sites are Created Equally
When booking travel online you will generally find two types of website. The first is is the regular travel sites such as Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity & Orbitz and what are being then you have those which are essentially Travel Search Engines. These include companies like Trivago, Monodo, Opodo and Kayak.
The primary difference is the capability of the search engine. A travel website like Expedia only searches its own database of hotels, flights, cruises and car rentals which make the search fairly limited. These sites tend to have more search features and options and provide a high-level user experience.
With travel search engine site such as Kayak, the results will include multiple selections from hotel sites, airlines, travel websites plus other databases with a mixture of flights, room, and car rental availability. The downside is that the search capability is somewhat limited and you won’t get as many of user-friendly features you’ll find at a travel website.
You will normally want the lowest processor your airfare, hotel room, cruise or car rental so it is important to check multiple sites before booking any kind of travel online. Most of the larger travel websites have specially negotiated fares and rooms directly from airlines and hotels, and they can pass these savings onto customers. Because discounts vary between the various travel websites, the rate quoted for the same hotel or flight can vary dramatically and they quite often vary throughout the day. You may even find the prices have changed simply by logging our and in again!! The secret is to check several times before booking and compare other with other sites if you have the time, do it often.
You don’t always get the best deal
Competition in the travel industry is fierce these days so it is always worthwhile to check directly with the airline, hotel, cruise line or car rental company before you press “submit” button. Please be sure to do a final check at the airline, hotel, or car rental company website for any special offers or lower rates you may get if you book directly. Quite often there are exclusive deals reserved for their online customers or preferred customers.
If you do decide to book online via a travel websites they sometimes charge a booking fee. In most cases, any fee normally amounts to no more than $5-$10 a booking so it is affordable. But the fees to be aware of are an amendment or cancelation fee. It can cost you $100 or more to change once you’ve booked a flight. If you ever want a refund, then this can be a real challenge it can be very time-consuming.
The travel search engines make money from referral fees and paid to advertise from the hotels and airlines, so you wouldn’t normally pay a fee when using them to book. This is constantly changing so always check for any hidden or booking fees before booking.
Booking fees should never be hidden from you, but when you are in a rush to book, these sometimes get overlooked. As the profits made from people booking travel online are relatively low, companies can be very inventive with their fees if you aren’t on the ball. Alway look out for credit card charges as these can turn a seemingly good deal into a not so good deal.
Most travel websites have invitations on their websites to that allows you to become part of their affiliate program at no cost. It’s usually hidden away and not obvious. By becoming an affiliate, you can potentially generate a small commission for each person direct to them that buys via your referral link.
It is tempting but don’t rush out and give up your day job and set yourself up as an online travel agent, as you need to be aware that to make any serious money you’ll have to send thousands of people to the website and for them to book. Want a better reason to become an affiliate? As sales affiliate some sites will allow you to buy your own tickets and still get paid commission which effectively becomes a discount. Always read the small print on the agreement just so you’re familiar any possible restrictions if any and how they will pay you.
