Agoda hotel descriptions/prices warning

[Big Boy]

I too have the Platinum VIP status, but is that not just more BS?

You are right, the Lowest Price Guarantee does seem to have disappeared. Obviously a gimmick that they had no intention of fulfilling. I still have the e-mails where we were in dispute.

[Benroon]

Just a thumbs up to Trip.com, only used them once for a hotel in bkk, when we got there they had sold our pre-booked room to someone else and were fully booked so put us in a sister hotel which wasn't so good. I asked for a partial refund but trip.com refunded the full amount and the room became complimentary. Not bad.

For hotels I usually book direct as most of the time it's cheaper and if theres an issue (especially flights) then it's easier not to have to deal with a middleman worried about their cut, but if I do go online will use booking.com and for flights I've never seen skyscanner beaten in all the ones I've taken.

[Big Boy]

I've just saved over 25% again by booking Agoda via Google Maps as opposed to going direct to the Agoda site.

The Agoda site still states I have VIP Platinum status, which seems to mean I've been assessed as having money to waste.

[Gregjam]

I now use booking.com as I was having problems paying using Agoda. Have even been able to change dates on non refundable bookings using booking.com which has saved me a lot. Not sure what happened to Agoda but I will not be using them all the time it is easier elsewhere and the costs are similar.

[Big Boy]

But there are big savings accessing booking agencies via Google Maps. Next time you are booking, try it. Google maps will link through booking.com.

[Big Boy]

But there are big savings accessing booking agencies via Google Maps. Next time you are booking, try it. Google maps will link through booking.com.

[Gregjam]

Will try google maps as I will be looking for something for a night at the end of November.

[Big Boy]

Please lets us know if you find the same savings I did i.e. >25%.

[Gregjam]

With the best of intentions I used Google and yes, there was a 25% reduction but through either of the two companies (kayak and one other) I was redirected to agoda. Total waste of time as I was unable to complete and pay for it so back to booking.com and everything went smoothly. Agoda for me is finished.

[Big Boy]

Oh, that is a shame. Yes, as you will see in one of the posts above, I too was re-directed from Kayak to Agoda at the cheaper price. Difference is I am always able to book at that cheaper price.

Sorry for wasting your time, but at least you can see where I am coming from about Google Maps offering considerably cheaper prices.

I actually noticed a Forum Google ad (down the right hand side of the page) showing Google offering the hotel I stayed in Wednesday night at the price I paid via Google Maps, which was considerably less than the Agoda site was asking for. This to me suggests it is the Booking Agents sites that are messed up, not Google.

[joelle]

Thank you BB for the information.
I don't usually use Agoda as one has to go through the full booking process to get the final price, long winded.
For me booking.com is much easier you get net price straight away, often cheaper as I have special reductions.
Having said that I followed the advice and just booked 2 nights with Agoda via Google map.
1- yes saved 25% from booking's price which is much appreciated
2- no problem with paiement
3- possibility to cancel up to the day before the reservation
So big BB

[Gregjam]

It sounds like my payment set up may be the issue, I tried via credit card and PayPal which are both a foreign source and both work for other purchases. I might set up another account with a different address to see if that is the issue. First I will see what their customer services have to say.

[joelle]

It sounds like my payment set up may be the issue, I tried via credit card and PayPal which are both a foreign source and both work for other purchases. I might set up another account with a different address to see if that is the issue. First I will see what their customer services have to say.

I used my credit card from Krungsri bank and it worked fine

[buksida]

On the road at the moment and have to say that Agoda has been one of the thorns in what has been a smooth trip so far, won't be using it again. Made one booking where it instantly took the payment before throwing up an error saying the booking was not confirmed. Had to spend an hour on their chat system to get the money back and then source alternative accommodation on a public holiday which wasn't easy or cheap.

Apparently, Trip.com is popular with Thais so will use that or Booking.com next. Also have an Airbnb coming up so will see how that goes.

[Bamboo Grove]

During my recent trip to Zhuhai, China, I used Trip. Very good experience. I was late for my visa on arrival (Friday) and couldn't cross the border. I had a booking, which I could cancel by 18.00 so at 17.40 I cancelled it and got the refund on Monday.