When to book direct – and when not to!

Should you book on Airbnb, Booking.com or VRBO?

Or should you book direct with the owner?

This guide gives you the pros and cons of both… though for transparency, I think you should book direct!

You want to find the perfect place to stay in Scotland. Of course you do! But how do you find that amazing place? You’ll probably search on the online travel agents or booking platforms, like Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO.

But did you know….

  • Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO are bad value for money – 17%-20% of your money – or even more – goes to them and not the host
  • They can make it harder to sort out problems – Their call centre staff are paid a pittance and often haven’t been trained in their own rules. They frequently close cases before the problem is fixed.
  • They don’t show you the best places first – They prioritise new hosts over ones with more experience.

In this post, I look at some myths about the online travel agents, when it’s better to book direct or use an online travel agent, and how to find the perfect place to stay.

Where to go next? The signpost at John o'Groats, Scotland
Where to go next? The signpost at John o’Groats, Scotland

Five myths about Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO – Busted!

1 – Did you know – Your contract is with the host, anyway!

Your contract is with the host, all the online travel agent (OTA) does is help you find a place to stay, and handle your money.  If something does go wrong, you often get trapped in call-centre ping-pong, because the online travel agent will only help you up to a point. Ultimately, it’s down to the host regardless.

2 – Did you know – They don’t inspect for quality!

They rely entirely on guest reviews to assess quality. Which means that bad experiences are built into their business model. This is true for smaller agencies too. Sykes recently had to take the word “inspect” off their website after Rip-off Britain told the story of two families who discovered the places they booked were filthy and dangerous.

3 – Did you know – They don’t even check the places exist!

The booking platforms are full of scammers. Anyone can put up a listing with AI generated images and text, or just steal the them from someone else. There are endless stories of people turning up an Airbnb and finding it doesn’t exist or isn’t as advertised.

4 – Did you know – There are only three big booking platforms despite the multiple brand names!

The big three are Airbnb, Booking.com (which owns lots of others) and Expedia. And Expedia is de-listing individual hosts, so pretty soon there will only be two. There are smaller agents in the UK, like Cottages.com and Sykes, but as we have seen, they are not immune to problems either.

5 – Did you know – You should not worry if a place is not on Trip Advisor – it does not list independent hosts!

Since autumn last year, Trip Advisor has pushed the small places off their review  platform to focus on the big money from big hotel chains.

6 – Did you know – The booking platforms promote new listings ahead of experienced hosts!

The OTAs push new listings to the top of the page. This is so inexperienced owners will rely on them, and not set up a website where you can book direct.

7 – Did you know – booking platforms can make cancelling difficult!

Hosts like me often impose stricter cancellation terms on the platforms than we do if you book direct. This is because over half of my bookings made via Booking.com turn into cancellations, stopping people who actually want to stay from seeing that the dates are actually available.  Guests who book direct tend not to cancel.

Noss Head lighthouse at dusk - helping mariners find their way
Noss Head lighthouse at dusk – helping mariners find their way

Why book direct

1 – Save money

17%-20% of your bill goes to the booking platform. Think how many meals out, entry tickets for castles, or additional nights away that is over the course of a trip!

Many places will split that with you or pass it all on to you if you book direct.

2 – More availability

Many hosts don’t put their full availability on Booking, Air or VRBO. Instead they’ll use them for off-season or late bookings. But if you get in touch direct they can take bookings as far ahead as you like.

3 – More flexibility – book a place even if it looks unavailable

The platforms hide properties that are not available for your dates. This sounds like a good idea, but maybe you can flex your dates, or maybe the host can free them up – by changing the date the plumber is booked to service the boiler, for example.

I offer a wait list via my website, but the platforms won’t let me do this. If you tell me the dates you want, I’ll tell you if they come free.

Recently guests from Australia whose grandfather lived and worked here contacted me because the cottage looked full. I freed up some dates and waived my minimum stay restriction. It’s not always possible, but it’s always worth asking.

4 – You want a more experienced host

Airbnb in particular attracts newbie hosts. If you don’t want to find rookie errors (random kitchen equipment, not enough comfy seats in the living room) then look for a place with well-established website or long-term Facebook page. These are hosts who have seen it all, done it all, and know what they are doing!

The main bedroom at the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage, Noss Head
A comfy welcome awaits!

When to use an online travel agency or booking platform

It does sometimes it makes sense to use Airbnb, Booking.com or VRBO, even if it means you pay more.

1 – If you need all your bookings in one place

If you are booking a long trip or booking for work colleagues, then it may make sense to have all the details in one app. I get that.

2 – To use the translation function in Airbnb

If you are booking abroad, then the auto-translate in Airbnb’s app is amazing! (I do wonder if WhatsApp will catch up soon though).

3 – You are looking for fully-flexible cancellation

Booking.com and VRBO in particular push hosts to provide short cancellation terms.  Booking.com encourages two prices, a cheaper one with no cancellation, and a dearer one if you want some flexibility. It’s likely you’ll only be shown hotels though, because their business model allows for late bookings as well as late cancellations.

(ALWAYS have travel insurance, even if you are having a holiday in the same country you live in).

5 – If you hope any issues will be mediated by a third party

Ultimately, the buck stops with the host, because they have to sort out the problems. I want my guests to have the best time, so I always work hard to resolve issue, and I live next door so you can always find me. But if you want someone to step in, or if you want the reassurance of Aircover for guests (from Airbnb), then it makes sense to use a platform. But be aware, the call-centre staff may not be helpful, and may close the case early.

The Airbnb listing for the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage, Noss Head
The Airbnb listing for the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, Noss Head

Brilliant info! I want to book direct! – How do I find the perfect place to stay?

So glad you asked!  – Check my blog post: Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Scotland for search tips and info about how to book direct.


About me

BenMy name is Ben and I have a holiday cottage at a lighthouse in the far north of Scotland. These are my own words, and written without using AI.

I don’t mind if you book direct with me or via an OTA, but I did save someone £800 once when they WhatsApped me before booking on Airbnb!

You know I am safe to book with, because I live next door so you know where to find me, I have a Four Star accreditation from VisitScotland and have great reviews from all the platforms.

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