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Travel is an essential part of our lives. It can either be for leisure or for work. Unlike in yesteryears, when we usually booked hotels and flights through travel agents, the internet completely changed the game. While all major hotels have their own online booking facility, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Make My Trip, Booking.com, etc. have also made things super convenient.
Both have their pros and cons.

OTAs Pros & Cons


With OTAs, you get price comparisons between providers, which help you find the best prices. You also get bundle deals where flights and hotels are offered as combo that offer great value. Many OTA websites also offer promo codes that can get you rewards or discounts.

On the flip side, customer service could be a hassle. If you want to cancel a flight or a hotel booking, the airline or the hotel will refer you to the OTA since you didn’t book directly. There could also be hidden fees or charges when you book through an aggregator.

Direct booking Pros & Cons


Coming to booking directly from airline and hotel websites. The biggest pro is customer service. You deal directly with them, no third party involved. Special requests are also accommodated most of the time. You also get benefits of loyalty programs by the airline or hotel.

On the other hand, when you book direct, there are fewer chances of getting packaged deals. Also, comparing prices can be a time-consuming affair as you may have to visit multiple websites. There are chances prices can be higher as well. OTAs may also offer flexible payment options that may or may not be available on airline and hotel websites.

So what is your preferred method to book your flights and hotels? OTAs or direct websites of airlines and hotels?

Speaking for myself, I’ve always used Booking.com for my hotel needs. I’ve always found great deals there with some great offers. For flights, it's always the official airline websites. Customer service is straightforward, and with Emirates, I’ve usually ended up getting free upgrades on a few occasions. I also remember how smooth the overall process was when I cancelled 4 Dubai tickets when Covid struck in 2020.

What's your choice?

I have started booking through Amazon or Flipkart. The co-branded cards, ICICI Amazon & Axis Flipkart, give me a 5% cashback which makes it cost competitive.

I mix direct bookings and OTAs depending on price and flexibility. For long-haul flights, I use Travel Business Class to book business class at huge savings – my last ticket saved over $2,000. Their 24/7 support handles complex changes smoothly.