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Online Booking
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Travel Tips |
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Travel Links |
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Using
a Hotel Consolidator
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How could
using a Hotel Consolidator to make reservations help me save money
or find a service when everyone else is sold out?
What should
I know about using a Hotel Consolidator before I make reservations
with them?
Should I confirm
my Consolidator reservation directly with the travel industry supplier?
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How
could using a Hotel Consolidator to make reservations help me save
money or find a service when everyone else is sold out?
- Consolidators buy
groups of tickets or rooms at discounted rates and can provide
reservations at considerably lower prices.
- Consolidators may
be able to take reservations when other sources are sold out since
the Consolidators have made advance purchase agreements.
What
should I know about using a Hotel Consolidator before I make reservations
with them?
Using a hotel consolidator
can be a great way to save money, but as with any service, we recommend
you carefully investigate the details so you can find the best reservation
service for your particular circumstances.
- As with any online
purchase, you should evaluate the site's security to make sure
your credit card numbers and other private information are secure.
- You should read the
site's privacy policy to see how they can use the information
you turn over to them.
- You should also read
the site's terms of use policy to see if you are comfortable with
the site's terms of use.
- You'll also want to
read all the fine print and disclaimers since you'll be bound
by those terms. Consolidators can sign agreements with hotels
that add additional restrictions on top of the general policies
of the hotel. Those restrictions will vary from Consolidator to
Consolidator, from hotel property to hotel property and can even
vary from reservation to reservation so it is important that you
read all the terms of the purchase to make sure you can live with
the restrictions.
- You may not be able
to get a refund or change your reservation once you have purchased
and, if they do allow a change, most Consolidators charge a penalty
fee.
- You usually must
pay for your entire hotel stay at the time of reservation.
- Make sure you know
what items are included and what items are extra, including processing,
booking and/or shipping and handling charges.
- Make sure to check
to see if the rates are "per room" or "per person, based on double
occupancy". The second rate is twice that of the first.
- You may not be able
to use frequent flyer miles or other points programs and regular
coupons certainly won't apply to the special prices offered through
a Consolidator.
- You'll want to find
out how to contact the Consolidators Customer Service Department
and take that contact information with you on your trip. Make
sure that they have a customer support system with which you are
comfortable.
- Know how they will
confirm your reservation. Be sure to request and record your reservation
confirmation number.
Should
I confirm my Consolidator reservation directly with the travel industry
supplier?
Yes, whenever you make
reservations through a third party it is a good idea to confirm
those reservations directly with the company that will eventually
provide the service. In fact, confirmation is a good idea even
when you are dealing directly with the company that will supply
the service. However, note that if you make your reservation through
a thrid party, there may be a delay in time before the travel
industry supplier can specifically identify your particular reservation.
For example, many consolidators hold a group of reservations in
advance and may only notify the travel supplier of your name a
few days before your reservation date.
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