Today, an online hotel booking engine is more than just a convenient feature – it's a necessity for all travelers. The days of browsing through thick yellow pages and waiting for a hotel agent to answer your call are now over. Thanks to the fast-paced technology, you can easily look for a hotel online, review their offers using their official website, and reserve a room whenever and wherever you are.

And just when you thought convenience won't get any better, third-party hotel booking sites grew popularity. They are online hotel directories aimed at helping you find the best accommodation in your target destination, compare rates and inclusions of various hotel brands, and book without any fuss. With endless third-party booking engines out there, it can be tempting to assume that the best prices are found everywhere but the actual hotel's official website. However, this isn't always the case.

If you're thinking about booking through a third-party website rather than booking directly with the hotel online, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind.

Advantages | Consumers are driven by ease, availability, and price point, all of which are met through third-party booking sites.

1. It works for your budget

Value for money is the most obvious perk of booking via a third-party booking engine. Frugal consumers prefer third-party over direct booking since these sites return a large number of cheap, discounted lodging options and allow them to compare and pick high-quality accommodation right in their budget.

​​​​​​​Ever wondered why rooms listed on third-party sites are cheaper than the ones on hotels' official websites? When businesses are slow and demands go down, hotels sell selected rooms to booking sites at discounted rates, which is why they tend to be cheaper. Large booking companies then price in their costs, marketing, and other factors to come up with a base for their display price, and earn an incentive once a reservation has been made.

2. It provides ease of access
It's pretty exhausting to browse 10 different hotel brands all over the web and navigate through series of web pages. Third-party hotel booking vendors save you from such task by making a great catalog of hotels all over the world accessible in one user-friendly website.

The engines narrow down their massive database to a list of hotels suitable for your location, price, and check-in and check-out dates. Choose the best room among the list and you'll see a detailed yet straightforward brief of what you're getting, from the list of room facilities to hotel's nearby attractions, all on one web page. Reputable hotel booking sites also feature genuine reviews and ratings from past guests to help you evaluate the brands' customer service, room amenities, value for money, accessibility, and cleanliness. Some vendors even give helpful accommodation tips to travelers.

3. Last-minute booking is possible
Too busy to book two months prior to your trip? Third-party booking sites save you from the worry. Availability is never a problem, especially in off-peak seasons, and it's easier to reserve a room in booking sites instantly than finding a hostel or Airbnb host.

Disadvantages | There are perks of direct booking which are NOT available when using third-party sites.

1. Don't anticipate the best rooms
Given that booking websites sell discounted hotel rooms that would otherwise remain empty, don't expect too much from these units. They're not bad but they're often the smallest and least desirable rooms in the building.

According to travel industry experts, hotels save their best rooms in every price bracket for guests who book with them directly. Aside from great views and access to superb amenities, they're likely to be generous with upgrades, Wi-Fi, and other add-ons – all of which are not available to people who booked through third-party vendors.

If you care more about the experience rather than the digits, then it is always better to book directly from the official website.

2. No perks for third-party customers
Hotels, especially the big brands, reserve exquisite deals for their loyal patrons. In exchange for sticking with the company, members of hotel loyalty programs receive a number of perks like free upgrades on rooms, priority check-in, late check-outs, discounted meals, and personalized requests. And let's face it: consumers who reserve through booking sites aren't loyalists.

If you're a member but you book rooms elsewhere, you're unable to use or earn points made through hotel loyalty programs.

3. Expect less flexibility
When you book through a third-party vendor, it'll be harder for the hotel to change a reservation once it has been made. They are also non-refundable.

Unlike when you book directly, you're given more flexibility should you need to reschedule or cancel your stay. You can also negotiate. Another difference is that hotels are far more likely to act upon and resolve issues about your stay if you had a direct booking.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the writers for Holiday Inn Parramatta Accommodation, a modern hotel in Western Sydney known for their exceptional accommodation, service, and location, which appeals to travelers in Australia. She has always been passionate about giving in to her wanderlust and collecting mementos from different places.