With #BookDirect, a.k.a. Guest Education Day, fast approaching on February 7, vacation rental managers and owners are sharing their #bookdirect messages for travelers. Here are some examples:

 

National

Wyndham Vacation Rentals: 3 Reasons to Book Directly with Wyndham Vacation Rentals

Contact: Lino Maldonado, VP, Vacation Rentals

“You could be paying up to 12% in additional booking fees if you reserve your stay on a third-party booking site. Think about it. If your reservation is $1,000, you could be needlessly spending an extra $120…And our local teams are better equipped to answer specific and unique questions about your vacation rental that are important to your experience because they tour the homes & condos.”

 

Alabama

Anchor Vacations: Book Direct and Save

Contact: Donna Willis, Anchor Vacations

“We at Anchor Vacations live and work in this beautiful area of the Alabama Gulf Coast and we love to share information about what’s happening. Book direct and save with us.”

 

Meyer Vacation Rentals: Here is Why Local is Better

Contact: Michelle Hodges, CEO

“Say you have questions about a property or properties you are interested in. The OTAs are booking engines powered only to serve up listed properties that fit a defined set of filters. When you call the OTA, you’ll be speaking with an out-of-town call center worker who has no idea about Meyer’s rental policies or properties. When you call Meyer, you’ll reach one of our local vacation planners who has visited your property and can describe in detail the finer points of enjoying a vacation on the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast.”

 

California

Abalone Bay Vacation Homes: How to Save Money on your Next Vacation

Contact: Donna Martinez, Owner

“The online travel agencies (OTAs) and  booking sites would have you believe that you get added security with 24/7 support…These fees serve to simply make a profit for HomeAway’s online booking websites, pay back shareholders and increase brand dominance and increase bookings, so increasing the cycle of profitability and growth…Mind you this fee does not assure the home you have booked is functioning well, nor will it help you deal with the raccoon that has entered the yard, or work with you to set up a special surprise for your anniversary. According to Airbnb’s help site in 2011, “This service fee is what actually goes to the site’s operation.”

 

Colorado

Great Western Lodging: Why Book Direct with Great Western Lodging?

Contact: Jeff Cospolich, Vice President & General Manager, Great Western Lodging

“Not only does our entire staff live in Breckenridge, our reservationists are situated at our Main Street office location, and we can see Breckenridge Ski Resort from our windows. We know the area, we know our properties and we can work with you to provide the very best accommodations for your stay in Breckenridge. When booking with third party sites, you run the risk of talking to a reservationist that does not know Breckenridge,…”

 

Florida

Cottage Rental Agency: Book direct in Seaside, Florida

Contact: Sarah Hanley, Marketing Director

“Most online booking sites charge a large fee when you book with them.  That’s why booking your vacation rental home directly with Cottage Rental Agency saves you a considerable amount of money, not to mention time.”

 

Destin Getaways: Save on your Destin Getaways Vacation by Booking Directly With Us

Contact: John Clausen, Owner and Broker, Crye-Leike Coastal

“Did you know that many of the big online travel agencies charge additional fees or inflate existing fees? We know your vacation is a special time for you and your family. We want to be sure you get the most our of your vacation dollar and make planning that stay as easy as posible!”

 

Dune Vacation Rentals: Book Dune Direct and Save

Contact: Bob Dickhaus, Owner, Broker

“VRBO now requires all property managers to remove their telephone numbers and web-links for their property listings. Phone inquiries are now being directed to outsourced call center operators with no local or property knowledge.”

 

Gulf Coast Property Management: The Benefits of Booking Direct VS OTA Sites

Contact: Vanessa Torres, Marketing Director

“It is crazy how far the vacation rental industry has come. 10-15 years ago, most people didn’t even know vacation rentals were an option aside from hotels. Now travelers have the choice of booking on multiple different platforms. But did you know booking a vacation rental on a travel agent site is costing you 10-15% more?”

 

Pristine Properties Vacation Rentals: Book Direct with Us, and You Do Not Pay the Extra Fees Charged by the Directory Sites

Contact: Justin Gerlack, Owner, Pristine Properties

“Booking directly with a professionally managed vacation rental company ensures you have a positive experience from booking, to arrival and throughout your stay. We work closely with our guests and our owners to provide you a wonderful rental experience in Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, Port St. Joe or Mexico Beach Florida.”

 

Georgia

Tybee Vacation Rentals: #BookDirect with Tybee Vacation Rentals

Contact: Amy Gaster, President, Tybee Vacation Rentals

“Why will you save? Because these websites add additional service fees on top of the normal rental charges from the property manager. In addition, you could be missing out on special offers or payment arrangements that the property manager is offering.”

 

Hawaii

Ali’i Resorts: Watch Out for Hidden Fees on the Most Popular Maui Vacation Rental Sites

Contact: Marci C. Cortisse, Billy Dirksen, Vern Andrews, Owners, Ali’I Resorts

“We are a group of locals that are passionate about island vacations and are excited to serve you during your stay. VRBO/Homeaway charge a 4 -9% booking fee on reservations for using their website. We would love to have you back again as an Ali’i Resorts guest and in addition to saving this fee by re-booking direct with Ali’i Resorts, we’re offering you a returnee discount. On an average stay of $3000, that’s a savings of $420! Call us today and see what you’ll save!”

 

North Carolina

Buffalo Creek Vacation Rentals: Why Book Direct?

Contact: Cheryl Hillis, Owner

“On top of the normal cleaning or pet fees, all major listing sites are now charging booking or service fees between 6% to 17% to the travelers/guests. If you are not aware, in any multi-day rental you may end up paying a hefty additional sum for no added benefit. These major listing sites are using scare tactics…If it was me, instead of paying these “booking fees” I would use the money to take my family or my friends to dinner!”

 

Carolina Mornings: Reasons to Book Directly with Carolina Mornings

Contact:  Shari Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer & NC Real Estate Broker

“We often offer specials on our website that aren’t available anywhere else. When booking through a third-party listing site, you’re not only paying more in fees, but you’re losing out on the potential for discounted rates… Not only do we include a healthy helping of Southern hospitality with every reservation, but we know our properties better than anyone else.”

 

Hatteras Realty by Wyndham: Book Direct and Save with Hatteras Realty

Contact: Edas Zemaitis, GM, Hatteras Realty by Wyndham

“These third-party booking sites can add an extra costs of 4-15% to your reservation with booking fees. We want you to save money on your vacation. Booking direct will help you do just that.

 

New Jersey

Beach Haven: Why Book Directly with Us

Contact: Tim Krug, owner, Beach Haven, Long Island

“There used to be a time when vacation rental owners could simply advertise their homes for rent and field calls and emails from travelers. We like to call this ‘2015.’ VRBO was a fantastic venue for owners and renters to find each other. Owners paid a flat fee to advertise…”

 

Oregon

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals: #BookDirect with Mt Hood Vacation Rentals and Save Money!

Contact: Betsy La Barge, Owner and CEO, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

“Because of the cost of using the listing sites, the best and most popular vacation homes cannot be found on these travel websites. As a matter of fact only 10% of Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are listed on OTAs.”

 

Oregon Beach Vacations: Book through Us and Save Big on your Oregon Beach Vacation!

Contact: David McElveen, President, Oregon Beach Vacations

“These fees are disguised as booking fees, which Oregon Beach Vacations doesn’t charge when you book directly through us. These fees often go unnoticed by guests, but can lead to annoyance and frustration when they are noticed.”

 

South Carolina

Akers Ellis: Book Direct Kiawah Island

Contact: Steven Ellis, Founding Partner

“These extra fees can add up to be anywhere from 4-15% higher than booking a vacation rental directly!…Skip the middleman, avoid unnecessary third party fees,..”

 

TripTease: Are you ready for #BookDirect day?

Contact: Lily McIlwain, TripTease

“Two online travel giants (Priceline and Expedia) dominate the marketplace with an estimated combined market share of 95%…Facing the same uphill struggle against rising online travel agent (OTA) commission fees, hoteliers and vacation rental companies (who are often pitted against each other in the competition for guests) will be finding their common ground and embarking on a campaign of guest education to highlight the benefits of booking direct.”