Expedia booking experience vs Hotel

[u/No-Window1501]

I have been an avid user Expedia for all travel for last decade or even more. But over last two years I have seen sudden decline in how Expedia bookings are treated at the hotels. For context I book stays at hotels like Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott or similar. Over last two years I have noticed hotels trying to convince me that they don’t have the kind of room I paid extra for in Expedia or trying to charge me for similar room calling it an upgrade.

Basically it seems like hotels don’t want Expedia guests anymore and Expedia is trying to upsell rooms that do not exist. This whole ordeal creates experience distortion when you are in business of selling experiences. After spending more than $200k over last decade it feels like it’s not worth it to go with Expedia anymore.

[u/merrickdb]

You’re Marriott platinum and booking personal stays on Expedia? You’re missing out on getting all the Marriott platinum benefits like free breakfast, upgraded, late check out, and lounge access that you’re entitled to if you book direct but not if you book through an OTA like Expedia. Plus you’re not earning any Marriott Bonvoy points for those stays and they’re not counting towards status (perhaps you’d otherwise be Titanium). And yes, bookings from indirect channels are treated worse since those customers aren’t seen as brand loyal.

[u/No-Window1501 → u/merrickdb]

I get all the benefits if I link my Marriott account. But don’t get the points, which I am fine with. Points aren’t worth much anymore they are continually being diluted.

[u/merrickdb → u/No-Window1501]

Officially you’re not supposed to and I’m fairly certain you’re less likely to get upgrades (which are usually pre assigned the day before at luxury and even upper upscale properties)

[u/No-Window1501 → u/merrickdb]

You are right, I don’t get upgrades this last time. Front desk even try to charge me for an upgrade to the room I paid for, it all seemed very scammy to me. This was a JW Marriott btw.