Better to book direct with Hotel? or through an agent

[m3sye]

As a general rule of thumb is it cheaper to book a hotel room direct with the hotel or through an agent?

I am looking at staying at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas next year.

[sinizter]

Generally direct, where you might even manage to haggle a little. But sometimes you can pick them up cheaper through agents.

Get both prices and spend a few minutes looking around.

I have picked up half price rooms in the past through agents, when the hotel itself wouldn't - even after mentioning the agent and deal.

[LuS1fer]

Don't know about the US but invariably find the deals are with the agents - the downside is you may well get a sh*t room as they do seem to sell those off to the agencies so depends what you want. Last one I had was a room on the elbow of a hotel with a half instead of a full balcony for example.

[m3sye]

Best price I have had so far is from Virgin

£950.00 for one bed terrace with Premium view - site was £1050.00

[LuS1fer]

Are there no villas there? I once had a 4 bed villa for £450 for 2 weeks

[prand]

I got a great deal on the Encore & flights through Expedia last year.

I rang around some other agents and nobody could match it. We got a good room too (well not sure what a "bad" room would have been there...)

Interestingly the Wynn/Encore guys now send me regular emails with some pretty special rates, I assume that's because I signed up for a players loyalty card when I was there. Shame I'm not likely to return for a long while yet.

So basically, what I'm saying is there doesn't seem to be any hard & fast rule, if you want the cheapest price you have to really shop around.

[fatboy b]

I tend to search through an agent to see who's free, then compare agent & direct prices. I've had agent prices loads cheaper than direct in the past.