Numerous times I’ve booked direct with the hotels and it’s cheaper than or same as 3rd party.
[1] https://i.imgur.com/XtDkLZj.png
Which is maybe as much of an argument as any, if it had put pressure on the processors to minimize or eliminate the fee and find alternative revenue streams to sustain themselves and build out the network. Instead we got a world where the fee has been static forever and the gains from automation have gone to cashback and rewards programs for customers, ultimately making it more expensive to pay with cash.
What privacy concerns are you alleviating by not signing up for the hotels loyalty program? They are going to ask for ID when you get there and many require a credit card hold.
In general, the Hotel would not be offering a rewards program if it did not benefit them more than it cost. At the very least they are going to use your "free account" to try to get you to use that Hotel (chain) more.
Who do you think is more likely to sell your information to third parties - a hotel brand that has every incentive to keep your information to themselves or an aggregator?
> cost. At the very least they are going to use your "free account" to try to get you to use that Hotel (chain) more.
And a third party aggregator won’t try to get you to use their site more?
Every single hotel I have been to already requires your ID and records your information at check in. In fact, it is required by pretty much all city laws in the US.
I also would not want to stay in a hotel that does not require it.
So far I do not receive any junk mail other than credit card offers, which I take advantage of for the bonus.