Do you find booking online vacation travel cumbersome and confusing? Well, you are not alone! It is getting harder and harder to wade through the copious number of online travel agents (OTA's) like VRBO, Airbnb and Expedia to make sure you are finding the best and most affordable vacation rental option for your family. With that said, Sanibel Holiday is dedicated to doing our part to educate prospective renters on the benefits of booking direct.
1. Book Direct & Save: Sites like VRBO and Airbnb charge the renter a "service fee" that can add up to 10% to your total cost. This service fee is charged by the OTA and is mandatory. This fee is in addition to the commission/subscription fee they charge the vacation rental manager (VRM) for the benefit of listing on their site. In some cases, the rents posted on these sites may be inflated to recover listing costs for the VRM.
2. Direct Contact: When you book direct you have the peace of mind of dealing direct with the VRM. When needing specific information on the accommodation or the area who better to know than the "locals"! When booking direct you have the convenience of asking all your questions before committing to a property.
3. Availability & Pricing: Some of the best options are NOT listed on the OTA sites. Due to the costs involved to list, many VRMs don't list their best/most popular vacation condos and homes on the big websites. If you want better choices, it is best to book direct!
4. Special Offers: Throughout the year many VRMs offer specials that are only available if you book direct.
5. Quality Service: VRMs have a vested interest in making sure you are well taken care of before, during and after your stay. It is our job to make sure you have a great vacation experience from start to finish. We are the faces you see when you arrive to your destination, so it is important to us that you are happy customers! Can an OTA 1-800 number say that?
We encourage all prospective renters to compare costs and price shop, similar to how you would for a new car. Instant gratification doesn't always lend itself to the best options! #BookDirect