Originally Posted by
canyonleo
My post is not a flame. It is advice for others that come to read this thread. NEVER use an online agency (especially when there is no rate savings). It has greater than zero risk, and never any upside.
Online agencies can be good tools for shopping and researching, but never make the booking there.
No, it's not a flame. But it's not correct either. Given two identical booking possibilities, one through the hotel's site and the other through an online agency, I'd likely pick the hotel site.
But it is frequently the case that the online agency offers more. Consider booking online through Amex FHR, for example, for those eligible. It's an agency that stacks on significant extras, even if the rate is the same.