Last Updated on May 19, 2025 by sophibee
Recently, my youngest (18-year-old) daughter, just beginning to explore the world independently with friends, asked me a simple question: Why would anyone book with a travel advisor? So many reasons came to mind that I decided to put them down in one place. Here’s a concise overview of why savvy travelers turn to luxury travel advisors when booking high-end hotels.
How You Book Matters
In today’s world of one-click reservations and instant price comparisons, it’s tempting to head straight to Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com when planning a trip — and for many hotel stays, that’s totally fine.
These online platforms are convenient and often show various price options in seconds.
But if you’re planning to spend serious money on a five-star hotel, especially at luxury brands like Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood, The Ritz-Carlton, The Peninsula, or St. Regis, the way you book can make a huge difference — not just in perks, but in how the hotel treats you. And spoiler: Booking through an online travel agency (OTA) is rarely the best choice for luxury stays.
The World of Preferred Agency Partners
But when it comes to luxury properties, here’s what you’re not getting:
- No room upgrades
- No hotel credit
- No recognition or special treatment
And often no Elite status recognition, even if you’re a member of the hotel’s loyalty program.
Luxury hotels often see OTA guests as commoditized bookings — valuable, yes, but not loyal or high-priority. So unless you’re simply looking for the cheapest deal (and even then, it’s not always cheaper), you’re likely leaving a lot of value on the table.
The Preferred Partner Advantage Luxury hotel groups have quietly built elite, invite-only booking channels called preferred partner programs, which are only accessible through vetted travel advisors.
These include:
- Four Seasons Preferred Partner
- Marriott STARS (for Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION)
- Rosewood Elite
- Peninsula PenClub
- Hyatt Privé, and many others.
When you book your stay through an advisor with access to these programs, you’re instantly elevated to VIP guest status — without paying more. Here’s what you usually get:
- Daily breakfast for two (typically full breakfast, not continental)
- Room upgrade (often confirmed at time of booking or prioritized at check-in)
- $100+ hotel/resort credit (for food, spa, etc.)
- Early check-in and late check-out, based on availability
- Special welcome amenities or recognition
- Personal 24/7 support from a real advisor
- Full eligibility for hotel points & elite night credits (when applicable).
- Payment at check-out with your preferred credit card
This comes at the same rate as the hotel’s best available flexible rate — no premium added.
Why it Matters
Imagine staying three nights at a luxury hotel and paying $900/night. Booking through a preferred partner advisor gives you:
Breakfast value of ~$120/day, a $100+ property credit, a potential upgrade worth hundreds more, and concierge-level support before and during your trip. That’s $500+ in added value, easily.
Meanwhile, online travel agencies might offer a cheaper, non-refundable room with none of the perks. And if something goes wrong (a flight delay or a special request), you’re on your own.
Special Request (connecting rooms)
Booking through an online travel agency may seem convenient, but it often comes at the cost of personalization.
Need connecting rooms for your family? Want to ensure your hotel is aware of a severe nut allergy? OTAs typically can’t guarantee these special requests, and you’re left hoping your notes are seen and honored. (As we would like to say, hoping is not a good strategy.)
In contrast, a luxury travel advisor works directly with hotels and their management teams to handle these details personally and will guarantee your wishes are granted.
Whether arranging adjoining suites or interconnecting rooms, flagging dietary restrictions, or securing a quiet corner room, an advisor advocates for your needs and ensures everything is handled before you even arrive.
So, When Should You Use Online Travel Agencies?
Expedia and its competitors are great tools for mid-range hotels, quick one-night stays, and budget travel. They’re ideal when perks and VIP treatment aren’t a priority and price or flexibility is all that matters. For that splurge-worthy resort stay, romantic escape, or once-in-a-lifetime hotel experience, booking through a preferred partner advisor is not just a smarter move—it will definitely make a big difference.
Final Thoughts
Don’t just book a room, book the experience. Luxury hotels aren’t just about thread counts and marble bathrooms — they’re about personalized service, exclusive access, and unforgettable details. How you book determines whether you’re just a guest with a reservation or a truly welcomed VIP.
Pro tip: Many top travel advisors offer these preferred bookings at no extra charge. So before you hit “Book Now” on that $1,200/night suite, pause and talk to someone who can unlock the real value of your stay.
Bookings
From selecting the perfect destination to attending to the little details that make a big difference, I’m here to ensure that everyone’s experience is seamless, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Ilonka Molijn – van Ginkel
Creator & Founder of Sophibee
Luxury Travel Advisor Sophibee & 360 Private Travel
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