The Hidden Risk of Online Hotel Bookings
Imagine arriving at your destination after a long flight, only to hear the receptionist say:
“Sorry, we don’t have your booking in our system.”
You show your confirmation email, but the hotel is fully booked. Now, you are left scrambling for a last-minute alternative at a much higher price.
Unfortunately, this scenario is more common than most travelers realize.
Why Do Hotels Cancel Confirmed Bookings?
Many travelers book through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda, assuming their reservations are secure. However, several factors can lead to last-minute cancellations.
1. Overbookings Due to Multiple Platforms
Hotels often list rooms on multiple OTAs, leading to accidental overbookings when availability is not updated in real time.
What happens? The hotel manually chooses which bookings to honor. Since OTAs charge commissions, hotels often prioritize direct reservations.
Related: How Hotels Can Reduce Their Dependence on OTAs and Increase Direct Bookings
2. Miscommunication Between OTAs and Hotels
Many hotels update their room availability manually on OTA platforms. A delay in this process can result in travelers booking rooms that are no longer available.
What happens? The traveler receives a confirmation email, but the hotel never gets notified.
3. Last-Minute Cancellations for Higher-Priced Bookings
During peak seasons, hotels may cancel lower-rate OTA bookings in favor of higher-paying direct customers.
What happens? Travelers are left without a room, and OTAs often cannot resolve the issue in time.
How to Avoid Unexpected Hotel Cancellations
To ensure a smooth check-in experience, travelers should take the following precautions:
1. Confirm Directly with the Hotel
After receiving a confirmation email, call the hotel to verify the reservation in their system.
Questions to ask:
- Do you see my booking under [Your Name] for [Check-in Date]?
- Can you confirm that my room is reserved and paid for?
2. Use a Platform That Guarantees Your Stay
Instead of relying on OTAs that involve multiple intermediaries, consider using a platform like Accom, which ensures direct communication between travelers and hotels.
Benefits:
- Every booking is instantly verified with two-factor authentication (2FA)
- No risk of cancellations due to OTA miscommunication
- Competitive pricing without hidden fees
3. Avoid Peak-Season Overbookings
Hotels are more likely to cancel OTA bookings during high-demand periods, such as holidays or major events.
Best approach: Book directly with the hotel or use a platform that eliminates commission-based incentives for cancellations.
4. Have a Backup Plan
Even if your booking is confirmed, researching a few alternative hotels in advance can help in case of unforeseen issues.
How to prepare: Use tools like Google Maps or Accom to identify and bookmark nearby hotels before traveling.
5. Consider Trip Cancellation Insurance
For added security, especially on expensive trips, purchasing trip cancellation insurance can protect you from unexpected cancellations due to emergencies.
Related: Things to Consider Before Purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance
A Smarter Way to Book Hotels
Travelers should not have to worry about whether their booking will be honored.
By using a direct booking platform like Accom, travelers can benefit from:
- Instant booking confirmation with no intermediaries
- No risk of overbooking cancellations
- Better prices since hotels are not paying high OTA commissions
For a seamless travel experience, choosing the right booking platform is essential.
For additional insights on maximizing direct bookings, follow StayAccom on LinkedIn and Instagram.