Originally Posted by arlflyer

I am a simple guy and I like rules. One of my rules is that if you care about the trip, always book direct. Airlines, hotels, whatever. Not even thinking about the points, benefits, etc. (which are significant here), when you book direct you become the property's problem. If you book through a third party, you become the third party's problem. And when you're in Location X and the people at the property tell you to pound sand and take it up with Third Party Y, well, it's not very helpful. People will have different perspectives on this, but that's mine.