Just found out OTAs like Expedia take up to 30% commission from small hotels

Ngl I was booking through those sites to save cash but then I talked to a hostel owner in Lisbon who said they take nearly a third of their room price. Has anyone else started calling places directly after learning this?

2 comments

2 Comments

elliot_harris254d ago

I stayed at a little family run place in Porto last year and the owner showed me their Expedia dashboard. It was like 28% commission on a 60 euro room. That's like 17 euros just gone to a website that did nothing but take a booking. I started calling places direct after that and honestly I've gotten better rates every single time. One hotel in Florence even threw in free breakfast when I booked over the phone instead of through Booking.com. It feels a bit awkward at first to call but these places really appreciate you cutting out the middleman. Plus you can ask about the quietest room or check if they have a fan or whatever before you commit.

sandra_sullivan844d ago

Those booking sites also give you actual protection if something goes wrong.