10 Most Popular Hotel Booking Sites 

In September 2024, we examined the top hotel booking sites in the USA based on their monthly organic traffic. This data provides insight into which platforms are the most popular, showing the preferences of millions of travelers across the country. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Booking.com – Booking.com remains the largest and most visited hotel booking site, offering a massive selection of accommodations across the globe, including hotels, apartments, hostels, and vacation rentals. It’s the go-to platform for travelers because of its vast inventory, competitive pricing, and highly detailed user reviews, making it a trusted option for all kinds of travel needs.

2. TripAdvisor – TripAdvisor holds a strong position as a top travel review platform, where users can read millions of hotel, restaurant, and attraction reviews. It also allows direct hotel bookings through its partnerships with various booking engines. The massive database of user-generated content provides travelers with an unbiased perspective, helping them make informed decisions.

3. Expedia –
   Expedia continues to be a major player in the travel industry, offering comprehensive vacation packages that include hotel bookings, flights, car rentals, and more. Travelers appreciate the ability to bundle services and find exclusive discounts, often reducing the overall cost of trips. Its wide range of options and frequent promotions make it a favorite.

4. Agoda –  
   Agoda, originally focused on Asia, has expanded its reach and gained a strong foothold in the U.S. market. The platform offers unique deals, especially for travelers interested in destinations across Asia, with a focus on hotel, home, and apartment stays. It also provides special mobile app discounts, further enhancing its appeal to savvy travelers.

5. Hotels.com – Hotels.com has garnered popularity thanks to its loyalty program, which allows users to earn one free night for every 10 nights booked. This rewards system, combined with frequent flash sales and “Secret Prices” for logged-in users, makes Hotels.com a preferred option for frequent travelers looking to maximize their savings.

6. Kayak –
   Kayak’s strength lies in its meta-search capabilities. It pulls data from hundreds of travel sites to give users a clear view of price comparisons for hotels, flights, car rentals, and more. Its “Price Forecast” and “Price Alerts” features help travelers book at the optimal time, securing the best possible deal.

7. Travelocity – Travelocity combines hotel bookings with flight and vacation package deals, attracting travelers who prefer a one-stop shop for all their travel needs. Its “Price Match Guarantee” and reliable 24/7 customer support make it a trusted option for those who want extra assurance during their booking experience.

8. Priceline – Priceline’s unique “Name Your Own Price” feature and Express Deals provide deep discounts for those willing to be flexible with certain booking details. This strategy appeals to budget-conscious travelers, and the platform’s mobile app is highly regarded for its ease of use and exclusive deals.

9. Orbitz –  
   Orbitz is known for its straightforward approach to booking hotels, flights, and vacation packages. Its “Orbucks” rewards program allows travelers to earn points on bookings that can be redeemed for future hotel stays. It’s especially popular among frequent travelers who appreciate transparent pricing and reliable customer service.

10. Trivago –
    Trivago specializes in price comparison, pulling data from multiple booking sites to provide users with the best hotel rates available. It’s a valuable tool for travelers looking to quickly compare prices across platforms, making sure they don’t overpay for their accommodation.

3 Ways to Get Smart About Booking Hotels Online

Booking hotels online can be a game-changer for travelers who want to save money, time, and stress. The process is simple but requires a strategic approach. Here are three key ways to book hotels smartly:

1. Plan Well

Planning is the foundation of smart travel. Typically, booking in advance yields better prices, especially if you’re traveling during peak seasons or holidays. While last-minute bookings can sometimes offer discounts, most travelers will save more by planning their trip early. Experts recommend booking hotels at least 3 weeks in advance for the best deals.

Another crucial part of planning is using price comparison sites like Kayak and Trivago, which allow you to compare rates across multiple platforms. This saves you the hassle of visiting different sites and ensures you get the most competitive price. Many of these sites offer features like Price Forecast and Price Alerts, helping you decide when is the best time to book. These features can save you a significant amount, especially for longer or more expensive trips.

When planning, consider booking bundled travel packages, which often offer better rates when combining hotel bookings with flights and car rentals. Platforms like Expedia and Priceline excel in offering such packages at discounted prices.

Pro Tip: Avoid booking directly through hotel websites without checking aggregators first, as third-party sites often negotiate special deals and offer more competitive pricing.

2. Get Rewarded

If you’re booking frequently, reward programs are essential for maximizing your savings. Many hotel booking platforms offer loyalty programs or rewards that give back to the traveler. Hotels.com leads with its Hotels.com Rewards program, allowing users to earn a free night for every 10 nights booked. This can translate into significant savings for regular travelers.

Orbitz offers a similar program with its Orbucks, which lets users earn points on hotel and flight bookings that can be redeemed on future stays. These programs are especially useful for business travelers or vacationers who travel frequently, as they allow you to collect rewards without making much effort.

Additionally, signing up for email notifications or downloading mobile apps can unlock special “Secret Prices” or exclusive deals. Priceline, Expedia, and Travelocity often provide app-only deals that aren’t available on their websites.

Pro Tip: Always check if the site you’re booking through offers cashback, loyalty points, or credit card offers that could give you extra benefits.

3. Be Different

If you’re looking for something beyond the conventional, there are alternative booking strategies that could save you even more. HotelTonight is an app designed for spontaneous travelers, offering last-minute deals on unsold hotel rooms. It’s ideal if you’re flexible with your plans and are open to booking on the fly. Last-minute bookings through HotelTonight can provide significant discounts, sometimes up to 50% off the regular rate.

Another unique option is Hotwire’s Hot Rate hotels. With this feature, you book a hotel without knowing its name until after the booking is confirmed, which allows the platform to offer heavily discounted rates. You’ll know the hotel’s general location, star rating, and amenities, but the mystery element adds to the fun of scoring a deal.

For adventurous travelers, trying out nearby airports or off-season travel can also make a difference in cost. Consider flying into smaller or alternative airports (like Long Beach instead of LAX) to save money on your hotel and flight combo. This flexibility can lead to less expensive options and reduced crowd sizes.

Pro Tip: If you’re a last-minute traveler, HotelTonight and Hotwire can be the best way to book a premium hotel at a budget price.