Originally Posted by
username
I have not used a TA (online or otherwise) for years. If one books a flight with Trip/CTrip, would the airline status work? Would you get miles?
Sounds like at least for Marriott, it is better to book direct.
Airlines and hotels work very differently with OTAs. Airlines pay very little in commissions to OTAs, but passengers who book their flights with OTAs will generally earn frequent flyer miles and enjoy their statuses with the airlines. Hotels, OTOH, pay much higher commissions to OTAs, but guests who book their stays with OTAs generally won't earn frequent guest points, or enjoy their elite statuses (with some rare exceptions).