I travel quite a bit for work. I have been burnt too many times by relying on online apps. I have only arrived at a hotel once that didn't have a room for me, they claimed it was cancelled after I made the reservation. But on numerous occasions I would arrive at my destination to find out the car rental company has no cars for me even though the apps said there was. Now even when these apps give me a confirmation code I will call ahead after an hour or two to confirm the reservation myself. I'm not a big phone person either, but its better than trying to make last minute arrangements in the middle of the night.

My opinion may be tainted by the poorly implemented service from a third party my company required me to use.

 

I booked a room a couple of years ago by calling 800-holiday for the day before Thanksgiving. Got to the motel and they did not want to honor the rate. After talking with the manager on the phone and providing a copy of confirmation they gave me a room at that rate and upgraded me to a suite. There was one other person staying at the motel that weekend. Unbelievable.

 

ha ha, a roof would be good

 

I think I might use this app on my trip next month. I did book the Friday and Saturday night rooms already as I know these towns book up fast and want to have a room there.

 

I've used Orbitz (phone app and/or web site) for several years. Been very happy with them and their support has been excellent.

Kinda surprised no one mentioned them - am I missing out on something ?

 

Well, it had a roof, and a bad smell, and paint peeling off the walls, and a TV with a tube in it, and breakfast was one waffle, and no coffee in the room..... but it was a comfy bed and I parked right in front of the door.... I got $42 dollars worth, lol.

 

Paid $43 two nights ago in Liberal, KS for an older motor court motel. It was clean, spacious and comfy with a lot of amateur remodeling and no breakfast. I use Expedia and Bookings.com.

 

I use Hotels.com most all of the time. Sometimes I can find a slightly cheaper rate but not often. Every 10 nights I get 1 free. They average out the prices of those rooms to arrive at the free room. The discount I can sometimes find in person is minimal, & the free rooms I comp more than make up for it.
The only real issues I've had are they don't have contracts with every single hotel in every city. I'll research independently for hotel reviews as well. I seem to get more honest reviews & pictures that way.

 

I have used Bookings.com for the last couple of years. The thing I like is the ability to book and cancel with no fee. I have also found a few nice older hotels off the beaten path for a great price. Found one in Lamar Colorado a few years ago.