Book Directly or Third Party?

Hiya!

If I want to try and get an upgrade or free perks, would it be better if I book directly with the hotel?

For example Priceline looks about $10 a night cheaper than booking directly at any hotel. So would the hotel clerk be turned off if I went through a third party?

TIA!

 

Book direct

 

I always book directly.

Only times I haven't, was when it was significantly cheaper via third party, and I wasn't intending to do any gambling at all.

 

Yes, I would recommend always booking directly-- even if you have no intention of trying to secure an upgrade. The hotels will treat you better, you'll be eligible for backend comps or players club points (if applicable), and if there's a problem with your reservation for whatever reason you will be dealing with the property to resolve it instead of the 3rd party.

 

Have you signed up for either the Mlife or Total rewards players cards? Do that, then check booking direct rates again. I would never book 3rd party. If anything goes sideways, I'd say it's always better to deal with the place you are staying directly.

 

This

 

Book direct

 

Will sign up for both of these now. Thank you.

 

Also recommend booking direct. Which hotel are you trying to book?

 

a lot of chains/groups have a best rate guarantee (including CET, I think) where they will beat Priceline's price if it's an open price. Meaning, you can't do the buy without seeing the name Express Deals, but if it's something you can see and buy, they'll beat it. Read the fine print.

 

Direct.

Also, besides the rates, it's very difficult to get comps if you book third-party.

 

Haven't decided on which hotel for sure. I looked up three different ones and they were cheaper on Priceline Golden Nugget, Bally's, NYNY just getting prices

 

Never book through a 3rd party for a casino (or in general for 3rd party pre-paid reservations) if you have any intent of getting your room comped. 3rd party reservations have contractual requirements with the booking agent that require payment to them, so it is not possible to comp (or apply something like express comps) to the reservation after the fact.

With pre-paid reservations you pay the booking agent, not the hotel, so the hotel is not able to refund anything to you because you didn't actually pay them anything directly to begin with.

Many pre-paid reservations also carry run-of-the-house room availability meaning your preferences will drop to the bottom of ones that get fulfilled (if honored at all), and those reservations will usually get the least desirable rooms when the hotel is full.

So yes, if the hotel sees you booked a pre-paid 3rd party reservation, don't expect more... if anything, don't be surprised if you end up with less.

 

Another reason to book direct is that often third parties aren’t super clear that you’ll have to pay resort fees at the hotel, so that can come as a surprise and can make the price higher in the end. Booking direct discloses the resort fees during the process.

 

A while ago I book a hotel, non vegas, which I thought was via their web site. It was a third party site and when I went to check out early because of my plans change I was not refunded for the the last day. The hotel couldn't do anything it since it was contracted out.

Do use third party, they are only out for your money.

 

NYNY (MLife) offers: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/offers.html
Bally's (Caesars) semi annual sale - try code SEMI21 or LVEARLY if the stay is 30 or more days out
Golden Nugget - try code EB921 for 40% off during the week and 20% off on weekends and $10 daily Starbucks credit (must book by 9/30, stay through March 2022)

 

Thank you so much!

 

Thank you,

But totally off of subject...... What do you mean: if you have any intent of getting your room comped.
This would be my first trip to Vegas so I don't have any points or rewards from any hotels

 

if you gamble enough, some places will give you rebates/comps on the back end, such as a reduction in your hotel bill. Not likely at CET; MGM historically was willing to do some of this if you went to the host/club desk before checking out. E.g. if you play $10,000 through slot machines, someone may well cover your room.

That cannot happen if you book through a Priceline, as you often have booked a prepaid room that was funded via CC at Priceline. Whereas when you book a Marriott, MGM, etc. they generally just hold the first night or a deposit and run the full charge at the end.

This is another reason to charge food and shows to your room; even if they won't comp your room, sometimes they'll comp off some of the charges. Again, I wouldn't really bother if it's a Caesar's joint, but it's not a terrible idea at an MGM joint.

 

Thank you. Very good information to know.