3rd party booking sites are popping up everywhere nowadays. But what are they and should you use them when planning your next trip? It’s likely you will have to use them at some point. In this article I will explain what these sites are, how they work, and how you can utilize them. 

What is A 3rd Party Booking Site?

You can think of 3rd party booking sites as really connected online travel agents. They usually have access to better deals than you do and share them online. They pass that savings on to you and book the reservations for you. There may be a small fee involved but it is still cheaper than booking directly, or using an actual travel agent. Companies like to use these sites to manage their reservations so they don’t have to. It seems like a win for everyone, right?

Popular sites include Expedia, Kayak, Hotels, Airbnb , Booking , Trip Advisor , and Viator to name a few. You can use these sites to book flights, lodging, rental cars, and even tours and experiences. Many have rewards programs to further your savings. Read my guide on How To Plan A Trip to learn more about saving money with these sites.  

Are These Sites Legit?

Most 3rd party booking sites are legit. You can do a quick google search to read reviews. But if you mostly stick with the well known ones you shouldn’t have any problems. Make sure you check on a site’s reputation if it’s not one you have heard of or used before. If a deal sounds too good to be true it usually is!

Pros and Cons of 3rd Party Booking Sites

Here is a short list of what works and what doesn’t.

Pros:

  • Easy to search and find deals online
  • Generally really easy to book
  • You can read reviews
  • Good customer service
  • Email or chat support are usually an option (this can be very helpful depending on what time zone you are in!) 

Cons:

  • The service you are using doesn’t handle your actual reservation so can’t help if there are issues
  • Occasionally there are issues with communication between the booking site and the actual service provider
  • You have to create an account with the 3rd party booking site and prepay
  • They will spam your email folder and it can be tedious finding how to opt out
  • Customer service hours may be limited