Websites using Hotelscombined

Okay, let s break down HotelsCombined, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Overview

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine. This means it doesn t sell hotel rooms directly but instead searches across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotel websites to find the best prices for a user s chosen hotel and dates. Think of it like a price comparison tool specifically for hotels.

Key Features:

• Wide Search Scope: It aggregates data from numerous booking platforms, including major players like Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, as well as individual hotel websites.
• Price Comparison: Its core function is to display a list of prices from different sources for the same hotel, allowing users to easily identify the cheapest option.
• Filters and Sorting: Users can filter search results by price, star rating, location, amenities, and more. Sorting options include popularity, price, and star rating.
• User Reviews: It often pulls in review scores from different sources to provide a holistic view of a hotel s reputation.
• No Booking Fees: HotelsCombined generally doesn t charge booking fees. You make the actual booking on the third-party site they redirect you to.
• Multilingual and Multi-Currency: The platform is available in multiple languages and supports various currencies.

Revenue Model

HotelsCombined generates revenue primarily through a cost-per-click (CPC) model and, sometimes, a commission model.

• CPC: When a user clicks on a deal that takes them to another booking site (e.g., Expedia), HotelsCombined earns a small fee from that OTA.
• Commissions (Less Common): In some instances, they may earn a small commission from the final booking price, but this is not their primary revenue source.
• Advertising: They might also generate revenue from advertising placements on their website.

Revenue (Specific figures are difficult to ascertain)

• HotelsCombined was acquired by Booking Holdings (parent company of Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, etc.) in 2018. As a subsidiary of a larger company, specific revenue figures for HotelsCombined are not publicly released.
• As part of Booking Holdings, its financial performance is incorporated into the overall results of the parent company.
• It s safe to assume that HotelsCombined is a profitable business, given the widespread adoption of metasearch and its position within the industry.

Alternatives

Here are some of the main alternatives to HotelsCombined:

• Google Hotels: Part of Google s travel search platform, offering direct price comparisons and integrated map features.
• Trivago: Another major hotel metasearch engine, with a broad reach and extensive database.
• Kayak: Also offers price comparison for flights, car rentals, and vacation packages, in addition to hotels.
• Skyscanner: Similar to Kayak, with a focus on flights but also including hotel and car rental options.
• Momondo: Known for its travel search, with an emphasis on finding the best deals.
• TripAdvisor: Offers hotel reviews and price comparisons, but also focuses on attractions, restaurants, and overall travel experiences.
• Direct Booking Platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda): These OTAs are alternatives but do not offer price comparison across multiple sites. Instead, they list the hotels they have contracts with.

Pricing

• Free to Use: HotelsCombined is free for users. You do not pay to search or compare prices.
• Price Transparency: The platform is designed to provide transparent pricing by listing offers from multiple sources side-by-side.
• No Added Fees (Generally): HotelsCombined itself does not add booking fees. You pay the price advertised by the external site you re redirected to. However, be sure to double-check final pricing on the external site, as there can be extra charges or taxes.

Customer Care Details

• Indirect Customer Care: HotelsCombined primarily facilitates the search and comparison process. They do not handle bookings directly. Therefore, they do not typically provide customer support for hotel reservations, billing, cancellations, etc.
• Support is Through Booking Source: Any issues with your reservation, such as changes, cancellations, or disputes, must be addressed through the online travel agency (OTA) or the hotel where you made the final booking.
• HotelsCombined Support: You can usually contact HotelsCombined for issues related to website functionality, technical problems, or reporting inaccurate price information. However, for booking issues, you ll be directed to the relevant booking platform.
• Contact Methods: HotelsCombined s contact options are generally:
  • FAQ/Help Center: Their website has a detailed FAQ or help center section that addresses common queries.
  • Contact Form/Email: You may find a contact form or an email address for their support team on their website.
  • No Direct Phone: Most metasearch engines, including HotelsCombined, generally don t offer direct phone support due to their role as a search aggregator.

In summary,

HotelsCombined is a valuable tool for finding the best hotel deals by comparing prices across numerous sources. It s a user-friendly platform for research, but remember that they do not handle the actual booking or provide customer service related to it. Their revenue model is mainly CPC, and they are owned by Booking Holdings. You can contact them for technical issues, but if your issue is related to your hotel booking itself, contact the platform where you made the actual reservation.