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Family in Kitchen

Booking Directly with a Property Manager vs. an Online Travel Agent

February 15, 2019

There is a common misconception nowadays that booking a vacation through OTA’s (online travel agents) is the best and most convenient way to book a vacation rental, especially with how much popularity OTA sites are gaining.  But there are notable differences between booking directly with a property management company or with an OTA, including numerous advantages to booking directly through a vacation rental agency:

Familiar with the Local Area

One of the best advantages of booking direct through a property manager, is they are familiar with the local area.  This benefits the renter as it offers a more personalized getaway.  Most property managers are happy to recommend local activities, restaurants, and local secrets (like happy hours, deals on certain days of the week, etc).

Familiar with Individual Properties

To go along with the above point, vacation rental agencies are also familiar with the individual properties.  This is helpful when guests need to know the specific floor plan of the house they have rented, or are looking for particular amenities in a vacation rental home.

More Available Properties

Many of the vacation rental homes listed on OTA sites are also managed by a property management company.  Most companies do not list their entire inventory on OTA sites, but do list them all on their own website.  This benefits the property management company as the OTA’s typically charge a commission to the manager, and it also benefits the renter as booking direct can open up a larger rental inventory to choose from.

Last Minute Deals or Special Offers

Vacation rental agencies will often offer sizable discounts on last minute stays as well as specials during slower times of the year to generate more bookings.

More Personal Experience

It seems these days that most renters prefer the ease and convenience of booking online.  But some renters prefer to have a more personal experience and like to deal directly with a property manager, and even speak to them directly on the phone, especially if the renter has specific questions.

24/7 Emergency Capabilities

As rental homes are just like any other normal home, things can go wrong.  Property managers have on-call staff and a maintenance team in case of emergencies at the home you have rented.  OTA’s will often be the liaison between the renter and property managers for maintenance issues and emergencies after hours, which can cause a delay in getting these items addressed in a timely manner.

Things to Watch Out For with OTA’s

The traveler doesn’t often know they are paying hidden fees, like the service fees (aka the booking fee), which are charged in addition to the rent, so booking through an OTA can be more costly.  Sometimes OTA’s can have more strict cancellation policies, so it is a best practice to be sure to read every cancellation policy carefully when booking.

 

Whereas some of these items are important to travelers, some may not be, so it all basically comes down to personal preference and comfort level for choosing a property management company or online travel agent to book your next vacation rental.  We hope these tips will help you to decide which booking method seems best for you and your group for your next vacation!

Filed Under: Blog, Buckingham Vacation Rentals Tagged With: benefits of booking direct with vacation rental company, book direct with property manager, online travel agents

About Devon Fennessy

I am a long time local of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and have worked in the tourist industry (namely vacation rentals) since 1998. I have experience blogging for two of my own websites: a health blog, and culinary blog with recipes, how-to's, and kitchen must-haves. I also have an Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute in Las Vegas. I am currently the Communications Director for Buckingham Properties Lake Tahoe, located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, and love living the Tahoe mountain life!

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Comments

  1. Sarah Packer says

    July 3, 2019 at 8:11 am

    My sister and I are planning our next family vacation and wanted some tips from where we should book. I didn’t know booking with a property manager ensures you know local activities and restaurants, as well as deals on certain days of the week in the local town. That’s something my sister and I would really love, so I’ll look at vacation rental properties with that in mind, thanks to this post!

  2. Devon Fennessy says

    July 3, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    Hi Sarah! Thank you for your comment! We are glad you found some useful tips from this blog post. If we can be of any assistance helping you book a vacation rental property, please feel free to call (800) 503-0051 or email us at reservations@buckinghamtahoerentals.com. We are located in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

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