When booking a hotel room abroad directly (not through a travel agent), you can use a global search engine like Booking.com or Expedia, or you can go straight to the hotel’s own website. Typically, the price difference between the two options is minimal, as hotels are prohibited from undercutting international platforms that market them to millions worldwide.
But a lesser-known strategy can cut your costs dramatically, if you're willing to "dig" a bit, exploring the hotel’s own website for hidden deals. To incentivize direct bookings, hotels often include discounts or upgrades that aren’t visible in the standard pricing. It takes a bit of effort, but the savings can add up to hundreds of dollars.
These benefits may include a complimentary night, no extra charge for children or unlisted upgrades, such as a sea-view room or switching from a bed-and-breakfast to a half- or full-board plan.
Another trick: just before checkout, hotels may offer a pop-up deal, like an extra night for free, to those who register as members. These offers are not available on external booking sites.
How much can you save?
Take the Louis Hotels chain in Cyprus. A six-night all-inclusive family vacation (two adults and two children) at the Louis Ledra Beach Hotel in Paphos from July 13–19 costs ₪12,409 (about $3,350) when booked through the hotel’s website.
Booking.com lists the same vacation at ₪10,058 (around $2,715) - a ₪2,500 ($675) difference in Booking.com’s favor, since hotels aren’t allowed to promote lower prices than their international marketers overtly.
However, once you get the base price, the hotel’s website offers “hidden” ways to save.
For example, registering for free on the hotel's site unlocks a special offer tab. Selecting a deal like “sixth night free” brings the total down to ₪8,259 ($2,225), instead of the initial ₪12,409, which means a savings of ₪ 4,150 ($1,120)
Mykonos
In Mykonos, a couple’s vacation with breakfast at the Once in Mykonos hotel from July 22–26 costs ₪8,626 ($2,325) on Expedia.
The hotel website initially lists it at ₪9,662 ($2,600), but after signing up and activating the “View Our Offers” section, the price drops to ₪7,286 ($1,965) - ₪2,400 ($645) less than the original quote and ₪1,340 ($360) cheaper than Booking.com.
Rhodes
In Rhodes, a family vacation (2 adults + 2 children) at the Amada Colossos Resort from June 22–25 with breakfast costs ₪10,332 ($2,785) on Expedia and ₪7,874 ($2,120) on Booking.com.
The hotel’s own site initially quotes ₪9,666 ($2,605), but after free registration and activating the 'special offers' tab, the price falls to ₪7,286 ($1,965), saving over ₪3,000 ($810) compared to Expedia and ₪600 ($160) compared to Booking.com.
The Marriott chain, for example, encourages direct booking through its site. Members can enter the “Deals and Packages” section and use promo codes to unlock benefits.
At the Four Points by Sheraton in Dubai, Booking.com lists a room at €93 ($100) per night. The hotel’s website offers it at €88 ($95), not including breakfast. But for members, the price drops to $81 per night including breakfast - 13% less than Booking.com.
Hilton goes even further: if a member finds a cheaper rate on an external site, Hilton will match it and slash an additional 25% off.
The bottom line
Hotels have found creative ways to counter the heavy commissions charged by Booking.com and Expedia.
While their listed prices might seem identical or higher, becoming a site member and signing up for direct 'special offers' can significantly cut costs, often by thousands of shekels (hundreds of dollars) per family.
How to save on your next trip?
Sign up as a hotel member, it’s usually free. This unlocks exclusive membership benefits and special pricing.
Look for tabs like “Special Offers” or “Deals and Packages” on the hotel’s site. These can yield major discounts compared to booking the same room through third-party platforms like Booking.com.