1. There Are Virtually No Cost Savings
Time is money. Sites like Booking.com or Hotels.com save you a lot of time, even more so when you're a regular with stored details. Sure you can match or beat the deal by calling the hotel direct - but can you be bothered when you can book through one of the above with two clicks of your phone? When you arrive at LHR and there is chaos with onward flights due to snow or something, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? Each of the reputedly 1500 hotels in London? Or something.com , or your TA, who have your details stored and can quickly scan the options and offer solutions?



2. Good Luck Changing Your Reservation
I have changed my reservation several times through sites like I mentioned above. It's not that difficult and the comments about "low-paid third world labour" are just insulting.



3. Poor Customer Service

Again with the "Third World" comments. Anyway, what "customer service" do you require apart from making your booking or changing it when necessary?

4. You Will Get The Worst Rooms In The Hotel
I haven't seen any difference in booking direct or through an agent. If the room is cheap because it's the worst in the hotel, then the outcome is likely to be the same whichever way you book. I've been upgraded just as often either way.



5. No Perks At Hotels
Hasn't made any difference as far as I can see.