Does incognito mode and using third-party apps actually help you save on travel bookings?

Scrolling through social media, you can’t escape the 'travel gurus' claiming they've discovered foolproof hacks to save on flights and hotels—promising secrets the industry wishes to keep hidden from you.

Who doesn't want to cut travel costs? It's tempting to trust these so-called experts suggesting that booking through apps or third-party sites can outsmart the system, claiming airlines and hotels monitor your activity to inflate prices. Is incognito mode the answer, or is it just a myth?

The ultimate test to see if these hacks are genuine or just a waste of your time and money is to try them out. I compared flight and hotel prices using various popular strategies and booking sites to see what really holds true.

Approach

This project transported me back to my science fair experiences. Instead of experimenting with plants in different light conditions like I did in fourth grade, I focused on a specific date, guest count, and fare type or hotel rate to keep my results consistent.

For my flight searches, I selected popular direct routes offered by major U.S. airlines for a round-trip journey leaving on Dec. 1 and returning on Dec. 7.

I excluded basic economy fares due to their strict change and cancellation policies, opting for more flexible options instead (except for Spirit Airlines, as their fares are designed to be budget-friendly but are often more limiting).

For my hotel selection, I opted for a combination of U.S. and international properties from Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG, plus a Walt Disney World hotel for some added fun.

I looked for a one-night stay on Dec. 1, checking out on Dec. 2, focusing on standard, refundable rates. Where possible, I noted discounted rates for hotel loyalty program members since joining these programs is free.

My search was conducted using the following apps and websites:

• Direct
• Incognito mode
• Hopper
• Skyscanner
• Priceline
• American Express Travel
• Capital One Travel

So, are travel hackers onto something? Or is it futile to scour every third-party travel site or use incognito mode before booking your flight or hotel?

Now, let’s examine the findings.

Findings

Flight booking outcomes

Hotel booking outcomes

Final Thoughts

The findings of this experiment were quite unexpected for me. I'm always on the lookout for great deals and have no hesitation in searching for coupon codes or utilizing a shopping portal to save some cash or earn points.

Flights

As someone who enjoys the excitement of the search (for deals, of course), I was surprised to discover that booking flights directly with the airline often matched or, in some instances, was cheaper than using third-party sites or popular travel hacks like incognito mode.

Accommodations

I noticed more price fluctuations among hotel booking options, yet booking directly through the hotel remained the most affordable choice.

Remember, it requires careful examination of the fine print to uncover the true cost. Third-party booking sites often advertise prices that seem appealing until you realize additional resort fees or taxes come into play at checkout.

Don't let the initial price distract you; you must navigate through the booking process and review the fine print to discover the actual cost.

Occasionally, you might spot lower prices on third-party booking sites, but these often come with conditions. The cancellation policies can be more rigid than booking directly or may even be nonexistent. I passed on many of Skyscanner's third-party options because they were either nonrefundable or had much shorter cancellation periods compared to direct bookings with the hotel.

If you're aiming to accumulate hotel loyalty points or benefit from elite status perks, always opt to book directly. Even if the price is slightly higher, you could gain benefits like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades that make the extra cost worthwhile.

It's also crucial to note that many hotel chains offer "best rate guarantees." If you find a lower price elsewhere, they might match it and provide an extra discount or bonus points, making it advantageous to book directly.

Exceptions to the Rule

No guideline is without its exceptions, and this one is no different. While booking directly with the hotel or airline is generally the best approach, there are valid reasons to consider other options:

American Express Travel

All flights and hotels booked through the American Express Travel portal require prepayment, making it the sole exception to my project’s guidelines (though most Amex Travel reservations come with flexible cancellation options). It's still noteworthy as it's a widely used travel portal with numerous benefits for American Express cardholders.

For instance, booking a hotel that participates in American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection can grant you perks like room upgrades and dining credits, which may offset any minor price differences.

Third-party Booking Platforms

Certain third-party booking platforms like Priceline collaborate with online shopping portals. During my searches, Rakuten offered 4% cash back on Priceline purchases, while TopCashback provided 2% cash back and United Airlines' shopping portal gave up to 2 miles per dollar spent. If you're looking to earn points, miles, or cash back through these shopping portals, you can compare potential earnings with direct bookings.

Incognito Mode

Absolutely not. It makes no difference, so disregard anyone who claims they've cracked the system. Using incognito mode is simply a waste of time, and if someone catches you searching this way, they might think you're up to something shady. It's one of the biggest misconceptions in travel.

Using Points for Booking

This experiment focuses solely on booking flights and hotels with cash. When booking with points, there are various factors to consider that may influence your choice of booking method.

Here’s how to genuinely save on flights and hotels

Utilize Google Flights

To keep things straightforward, I excluded Google from my results chart. This is because Google ultimately directs you to the airline or hotel’s website to finalize your booking, and the prices displayed align with those available directly.

Google Flights is an excellent resource for discovering flight deals. You can search for flights from most major airlines and utilize filtering options to pinpoint the best flight for your needs. Additionally, you can set up email alerts to notify you of any price drops. Most airlines allow you to reprice your flight without any fees if the fare decreases.

Google Flights becomes particularly enjoyable to explore if your travel dates or destinations are flexible. You can search various dates for the lowest fares or simply enter your departure airport to see pricing for destinations worldwide on the Google Flights map.

The "Explore" tab on Google Flights lets you discover great deals departing from your home airport. Give it a try.

Thanks to a collaboration with Points Path, Google Flights now enables you to compare cash and award rates across several major airlines. By downloading the Points Path extension, you can view both points and cash prices, along with suggestions on which option offers the best value.

Book at the Optimal Time

We've conducted extensive research on this subject here at TPG. For domestic flights, it's best to book one to two months in advance. When it comes to international flights, aim to book between three and five months prior to your departure.

When it comes to hotels, it's best to book as early as you can, but it's also true that last-minute bookings can yield savings. Even after you've made a reservation, we suggest you keep an eye out for price drops. If the price decreases after your booking, you can adjust your reservation by calling or online to secure the lower rate.

Stay Flexible

If your travel dates have some flexibility, you can save money by flying on specific days of the week. Typically, midweek flights are less expensive than weekend ones, although Sundays often have good deals too.

The same principle applies to hotel stays. Checking in on Tuesday and checking out on Thursday is generally more economical than checking in on Friday and leaving on Sunday.

Sign up for TPG's newsletter

In TPG's daily newsletter, we deliver the latest travel news, tips, and deals. By subscribing to the TPG newsletter, you’ll find discounted business-class flights and strategies for maximizing your hard-earned points and miles in your inbox every morning.

Choose the Right Credit Card

Carrying the right credit card can lead to significant savings on flights and hotels in various ways. For instance, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors members enjoy a fifth night free on award stays. Additionally, several Delta cobranded credit cards from American Express provide a TakeOff 15 benefit for award flights, allowing you to save 15% when booking with an eligible card.

Key Takeaway

Though surprising, it's comforting to know that booking directly with the airline or hotel can save you time and money. This approach also allows you to earn rewards points or miles and achieve elite status.