Hotel Value Check
How you book your hotel has a lot to do with your experience.
Not all hotel reservations are created equal. At 4 and 5-star properties around the world, the way you book determines your upgrades, perks, recognition, room priority, and how the hotel takes care of you.
This complementary booking tool gives you immediate access to travel agent value and most importantly, a better outcome. Without having to be a points guru and beholden to loyalty programs, you can have things like complimentary breakfast, resort credits, upgrades, early/late checkout upon availability and VIP treatment.
You don’t need a “big trip” to book with Trip Whisperer. With this hotel-only booking engine, whether it’s for one night or 10, you can instantly compare the preferred rates and book instantly with VIP benefits attached with my agent code. For additional support, you can always reach out for transfers, early arrival, personalized amenities, and so on.
As a globally-connected agency, we can help you tap into the top preferred hotel programs, Forbes Travel Guide, Virtuoso benefits and more.
At Trip Whisperer, we’re in the business of relationships and better outcomes, which starts with how you book.
Secret Password: tripwhisperer
Belmond
Four Seasons
Hyatt Prive
Mandarin Oriental
Dorchester Club
Mr & Mrs Smith
Small Luxury Hotels
Relais & Châteaux
Marriott Luminous
Rocco Forte
Oetker Collection
Accor
Viceroy
Rosewood Elite
Design Hotels
Belmond Four Seasons Hyatt Prive Mandarin Oriental Dorchester Club Mr & Mrs Smith Small Luxury Hotels Relais & Châteaux Marriott Luminous Rocco Forte Oetker Collection Accor Viceroy Rosewood Elite Design Hotels
The Hotel Booking Hierarchy
There’s no shortage of ways to book, so we’re breaking down the channels and where each places you in the eyes of the hotels. As a travel expert who has worked for big booking sites (aka Online Travel Agency) and in-house at hotels, we have insider knowledge on the mindset at check-in. The hotel can see how you booked and with which travel advisor (if you did). Every week at the hotel job, the GM, revenue manager, sales and marketing director (me) would talk about hotel occupancy, make-up of the bookings by channels, and strategize ways to build a relationship with the guest and create a better experience. With dynamic pricing and a competitive market, it all starts to feel like a numbers game and not about hospitality. Our job is to bring that back, front and center.
The industry dirty little secret: the big booking sites take the most commission from hotels and provide the least value to the traveler. Let’s make you a person and not a number.
Travel Advisor
Booking through a luxury travel advisor gives you access to VIP treatment, upgrades, and amenities not available to the general public, especially leveraging our Virtuoso luxury network privileges. Your reservation is flagged as a preferred booking, your stay is personalized, and you have a real human advocating for you — before, during, and after your trip.
Direct to Hotel
Booking direct can be convenient, especially for loyalty members, but rarely includes added perks or personalized service. Without an advocate, upgrades and special requests are subject to availability and discretion.
→ Booking direct vs booking with an advisor
AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts
AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts offers attractive perks at select properties, including breakfast and property credits. It’s a solid option for simple stays but operates through a call center, without personal hotel advocacy or proactive relationship management. Our team can access the FHR benefits, and compare with other rate codes if you send a request.
→ AMEX vs Advisor Booking: What’s the difference
Online Travel Agency
(Expedia, Booking, Priceline, etc.)
Online booking sites prioritize price and volume, not service. These reservations are typically last in line for upgrades, flexibility, and special treatment and offer little support when plans change.
→ Why OTAs deliver the lowest priority at hotels