I would suggest checking prices for properties via multiple channels*.

For hotel bookings, I don't have one universal solution that works for all cases.

So I end up having to spend a little bit extra time to make sure I'm getting a fair price.

But I think its more important to pick the right property, and expend the most efforts on that.

In the majority of cases, I'll call the front desk and query them on all kinds of stuff (what floor, elevators, perks, transfers/shuttles, etc.)

I feel like people do a lot of research before buying $700 phones, but seem to think that 5 min on TripAdvisor / Yelp is enough for a $700 hotel wknd.

Of course FTers are not really in that camp and this is a great resource.

* if you are booking indy properties, loyalty programs may not mean much there to begin with.