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Copperhead

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This year I am getting more and more bookings via GDS systems. Many more from overseas which is why I started this.
I am listed on: B oo king .com and E xpe dia / H ote ls. com via B&B.com which also means a host of affiliates.
So why do people use these Accommodation Farms over booking direct? I have been asking guests the question and in general here are the replies:
  • Best price -
  • can check multiple places all in one place
  • can do multiple bookings at the same time
  • easier as each place as their own system to learn as you book
  • Data is entered once
  • International guests - language barrier
Simply put the reason is EASE of use.
90% do not realize the properties are paying commissions, of course the
lightbulb.gif
comes on! In reality would that make a difference? The more that they know about the commissions, the more direct calls asking for a discount or they will book through GDS.
Would they book direct if booking again? Yes, when booking with us, not needed if hotel. Some see the advantage in being able to choose your individual room at a B&B. Don't see the advantage at a hotel.
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look
 
Helpful list, CH. Thanks! I've added "best rate guaranteed" to my homepage as a result.
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look.
If it did the USA, I would sign up
.
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
.
Ice said:
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
what are they offering that we might want to try? I'm not really seeing incentives. If they are getting a good following on this new site I really do not want to interfere with their progress. Maybe InnRewards should just concentrate on the US. I'm open to thoughts and suggestions as always. :)
 
Not really surprised by this. I've used book ingdot com myself a few times and for me it's being able to see a list of places with available rooms for my dates which is the major advantage, instead of having to go to each individual property and check.
I do then go to the property I want and try to book direct, but more often than not (with hotels anyway) it is cheaper to book with bd c
There's also the advantage that bd c store my details so I don't have to fill them in every time I book something.
These companies are going to grow and grow, I just hope that more competition will drive down the commission rates, maybe then they'll become more viable for us.
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look.
If it did the USA, I would sign up
.
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
.
Ice said:
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
what are they offering that we might want to try? I'm not really seeing incentives. If they are getting a good following on this new site I really do not want to interfere with their progress. Maybe InnRewards should just concentrate on the US. I'm open to thoughts and suggestions as always. :)
.
its all about spreading the word about how much the Online Travel agencies charge us - Id think about something like "because we aren't giving 15% to 20% of the room price to OTA's we can give you a reward for staying with us" its trying to beat it into them that its not the best way to book! plus it would not undermine the rate parity agreements either!
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look.
If it did the USA, I would sign up
.
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
.
Ice said:
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
what are they offering that we might want to try? I'm not really seeing incentives. If they are getting a good following on this new site I really do not want to interfere with their progress. Maybe InnRewards should just concentrate on the US. I'm open to thoughts and suggestions as always. :)
.
its all about spreading the word about how much the Online Travel agencies charge us - Id think about something like "because we aren't giving 15% to 20% of the room price to OTA's we can give you a reward for staying with us" its trying to beat it into them that its not the best way to book! plus it would not undermine the rate parity agreements either!
.
No one checks the prices anyway. They have been advertized to death to believe that they are getting the absolute lowest prices by using GDS companies.
So, because so many people actually look at my site and then use GDS to book, I have put a disclaimer on every room page and the reservation page that the best prices, availability and selection are available on this site only. Third party reservations do not get the best selection. And the 'make a reservation' button is right underneath the statement. Hopefully it will help.
Another issue I am having is booking does not work on my android. I can see everything but I can't make anything work. So I can't close out rooms, change prices, anything. Thus, I cannot use booking if I am not at home on my computer AND using Firefox. Booking also does not work on IE (for me).
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look.
If it did the USA, I would sign up
.
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
.
I think we are trying to "be all things" and we cannot do it. To use a GDS or not is a decision of each innkeeper. We came up with the Reward Directory idea and Bob ran with it for us. Not a small investment in $$$ - HIS $$$. I am OK with InnRewards as a replacement for the Directories that charge us whatever and try to steal out guests to become THEIR guests that we lodge as we pay them a commission using their rules to us.
The costs of adding these things would also be high. Bob wants to keep this FREE for innkeepers! That was the whole premise.
 
Inn Rewards needs some national attention to get it off the ground. We should start a new thread on this and see what ideas are floating around.
 
Inn Rewards needs some national attention to get it off the ground. We should start a new thread on this and see what ideas are floating around..
JB I just sent you an email. If you get time take a look.
I am open to all comments and suggestions. If someones wants to start a new thread feel free. We have some new users on here that probably are not aware of IR.
 
This is the campaign in the uk that is just being launched www.bestroomsdirect.com take a look.
If it did the USA, I would sign up
.
gillumhouse said:
If it did the USA, I would sign up
Maybe the site Bob created could do this?
.
I think we are trying to "be all things" and we cannot do it. To use a GDS or not is a decision of each innkeeper. We came up with the Reward Directory idea and Bob ran with it for us. Not a small investment in $$$ - HIS $$$. I am OK with InnRewards as a replacement for the Directories that charge us whatever and try to steal out guests to become THEIR guests that we lodge as we pay them a commission using their rules to us.
The costs of adding these things would also be high. Bob wants to keep this FREE for innkeepers! That was the whole premise.
.
Thanks Gillumhouse. I do want to make this a free site and plan on it. Nothing would make me more happy than to knock a little more profit back into my friends pockets. (and mine) I do think in order to get users we need to make a few little changes and keep plugging along on word of mouth. We can probably make a little money to pay for the site with advertising later. But its not a focus at this time. If your listed with booking and Hotels you are correct. You are working for them so to speak. But if we can add a few things to IR we can make a difference with no commissions and still beat their prices saving you lots of money.
 
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