When it comes to booking a hotel, travelers are faced with two main choices: reserve directly through the hotel’s website or use an online travel agency (OTA) like Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com. Both have their pros and cons—and understanding when to use which can make a real difference in savings, flexibility, and rewards.

Benefits of Booking Directly Through the Hotel

Hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt almost always offer a “best rate guarantee” on their own sites. In many cases, they’ll even price-match and provide an additional discount if you find a lower rate elsewhere.

Here’s why direct booking is often preferred:

• Earn hotel loyalty points and elite night credits.

• Enjoy priority on room upgrades, early check-in, or late checkout.

• Access to member-only rates or perks (such as free Wi-Fi or complimentary breakfast).

• Easier reservation changes and cancellations.

Hotel loyalty programs such as Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt restrict point earnings to direct bookings—making this path essential if you’re building toward elite status.

When Third-Party Sites Offer More Value

Online travel agencies shine when you’re looking for flexibility, bundling options, or booking lesser-known independent properties. Some OTAs offer:

• Lower rates during flash sales or via member-only discounts.

• Ability to compare dozens of hotels across brands and locations.

• Bundled deals with flights or car rentals.

• Loyalty rewards (like Expedia One Key) that can be used across travel types.

Third-party platforms also tend to have more generous cancellation policies for budget properties or international bookings.

Can You Combine Cashback with Either Option?

Yes, and this is where it gets interesting. If you’re using cashback platforms like Rakuten or Ibotta, you can earn rebates on OTA bookings by clicking through their portals before booking. This applies to sites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and Booking.com.

On the flip side, if you’re booking directly, you can earn cashback with a Hilton gift card, get rewards with a Hyatt gift card, or buy a Marriott gift card online from platforms like Fluz. These gift cards are typically accepted at checkout during direct bookings and can be stacked with loyalty earnings.

When to Choose Which?

• Book Direct When: You’re loyal to a hotel brand, want to earn points or elite credit, plan to use a gift card, or expect to request perks like early check-in.

• Use an OTA When: You’re comparing multiple brands, booking independent hotels, or need a flexible cancellation policy.

Final Verdict

There’s no universal winner—just the right tool for the situation. If you value loyalty points, direct customer service, and elite perks, book through the hotel. But if you’re looking for quick comparisons or better flexibility, third-party platforms have the edge. And don’t forget to layer in cashback apps—whether you’re using gift cards from Fluz or portals like Rakuten—for added savings on any booking route.