Booking a trip on an online travel site is convenient, but comes with its own set of problems.
Booking
a
trip
on
an
online
travel
site
is
convenient
,
but
comes
with
its
own
set
of
problems
.
They know who's going to spend more.
They
know
who
's
going
to
spend
more
.
Last year, U.
Last
year
,
U
.
S travel research company Orbitz tracked people's online activities to test out whether Mac users spend more on travel than PC users.
S
travel
research
company
Orbitz
tracked
people
's
online
activities
to
test
out
whether
Mac
users
spend
more
on
travel
than
PC
users
.
Turns out that on average, Mac users lay out US $20~30 more per night on hotels.
Turns
out
that
on
average
,
Mac
users
lay
out
US
$
20~30
more
per
night
on
hotels
.
As a result, online travel sites show these users more expensive travel options first.
As
a
result
,
online
travel
sites
show
these
users
more
expensive
travel
options
first
.
To avoid paying more, sort results by price.
To
avoid
paying
more
,
sort
results
by
price
.
Their software doesn't always link to the hotel's system.
Their
software
does
n't
always
link
to
the
hotel
's
system
.
A guaranteed reservation is almost impossible to come by anywhere 一 but the risk of your flight or hotel being overbooked increases with third-party providers.
A
guaranteed
reservation
is
almost
impossible
to
come
by
anywhere
一
but
the
risk
of
your
flight
or
hotel
being
overbooked
increases
with
third-party
providers
.
The middleman's software isn't immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sure your booking was processed.
The
middleman
's
software
is
n't
immune
to
system
errors
,
so
always
call
the
hotel
or
airline
to
make
sure
your
booking
was
processed
.
You could miss out on loyalty points.
You
could
miss
out
on
loyalty
points
.
Third party providers can get between you and frequent flyer miles or points.
Third
party
providers
can
get
between
you
and
frequent
flyer
miles
or
points
.
Many hotel loyalty programs don't recognize external sites, others award only minimum points without special offers, like double points on hotel stays.
Many
hotel
loyalty
programs
do
n't
recognize
external
sites
,
others
award
only
minimum
points
without
special
offers
,
like
double
points
on
hotel
stays
.
Don, t be fooled by packages: Often, they're low-end items grouped together.
Don
,
t
be
fooled
by
packages
:
Often
,
they
're
low-end
items
grouped
together
.
Ever notice how travel sites recommend a hotel, a rental car, and tour package all in one click.
Ever
notice
how
travel
sites
recommend
a
hotel
,
a
rental
car
,
and
tour
package
all
in
one
click
.
These deals usually feature travel that no one wants, like flights with multiple layovers Check the fine print.
These
deals
usually
feature
travel
that
no
one
wants
,
like
flights
with
multiple
layovers
Check
the
fine
print
.
Once your trip is purchased, you're on your own.
Once
your
trip
is
purchased
,
you
're
on
your
own
.
An online travel agency can't provide assistance the same way an agent can if a flight is cancelled or a room is substandard.
An
online
travel
agency
ca
n't
provide
assistance
the
same
way
an
agent
can
if
a
flight
is
cancelled
or
a
room
is
substandard
.
Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you're just another customer who booked at the lowest rate.
Basically
,
when
you
arrive
at
the
airport
or
hotel
,
you
're
just
another
customer
who
booked
at
the
lowest
rate
.
Booking a trip on an online travel site is convenient, but comes with its own set of problems.  They know who's going to spend more.  Last year, U. S travel research company Orbitz tracked people's online activities to test out whether Mac users spend more on travel than PC users. Turns out that on average, Mac users lay out US $20~30 more per night on hotels. As a result, online travel sites show these users more expensive travel options first. To avoid paying more, sort results by price.  Their software doesn't always link to the hotel's system.  A guaranteed reservation is almost impossible to come by anywhere 一 but the risk of your flight or hotel being overbooked increases with third-party providers. The middleman's software isn't immune to system errors, so always call the hotel or airline to make sure your booking was processed.  You could miss out on loyalty points.  Third party providers can get between you and frequent flyer miles or points. Many hotel loyalty programs don't recognize external sites, others award only minimum points without special offers, like double points on hotel stays.  Don, t be fooled by packages: Often, they're low-end items grouped together.  Ever notice how travel sites recommend a hotel, a rental car, and tour package all in one click. These deals usually feature travel that no one wants, like flights with multiple layovers Check the fine print.  Once your trip is purchased, you're on your own.  An online travel agency can't provide assistance the same way an agent can if a flight is cancelled or a room is substandard. Basically, when you arrive at the airport or hotel, you're just another customer who booked at the lowest rate.