SecondAttempt
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I don't really have anything against the booking sites but both airlines and hotels reward loyalty in often unseen and unadvertised ways. I recently made lifetime platinum in Marriott brands and nearly always get a significant upgrade, often to a suite. On a recent overnight at an airport hotel they gave us a suite bigger than most apartments I have lived in, free breakfast, free drinks, and a few other perks. Did we need it, no, but that kind of treatment is typical. Now, most people will not make lifetime platinum. I did so because of business travel for several years and some targeted stays and offers including benefiting immensely from the Starwood merger. I now have millions of Marriott points. That's enough to fund our hotel stays for several years of retirement. (Yes, I realize those points will likely get devalued but it's still a lot.)
On United I reached 1K during my peak years of business travel but have mostly just been silver for many years. Still I got upgraded to first class for free about half the time on flights to and from the mainland and Hawaii recently (precovid).
I sometimes check the booking sites just to keep everyone honest but often you get quoted the crappy rooms near the elevator or ice machine with a view of the roof a/c unit for a savings of $13 that largely goes away after paying a booking fee or something.
If you don't travel much and won't reach any loyaly status then maybe saving a little is worth it. But I've noticed that even being a member of the loyalty program and having booked directly often gets a small benefit. I always join and book directly with the hotel.
On United I reached 1K during my peak years of business travel but have mostly just been silver for many years. Still I got upgraded to first class for free about half the time on flights to and from the mainland and Hawaii recently (precovid).
I sometimes check the booking sites just to keep everyone honest but often you get quoted the crappy rooms near the elevator or ice machine with a view of the roof a/c unit for a savings of $13 that largely goes away after paying a booking fee or something.
If you don't travel much and won't reach any loyaly status then maybe saving a little is worth it. But I've noticed that even being a member of the loyalty program and having booked directly often gets a small benefit. I always join and book directly with the hotel.