What happened
The article evaluates the utility of elite tiers offered by major Online Travel Agents (OTAs) such as Agoda, Booking, Orbitz, and Trip.com. It contrasts these with traditional hotel chain programs (Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott), noting that OTA status often provides benefits like special discounts, expanded cancellation options, and bonus loyalty currency, though these may not apply to direct bookings. The author highlights Agoda's competitive rates and exclusive airfares (particularly with Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines), Booking's homestay deals and lower Tway flight prices, Orbitz's 'Orbucks' currency, and Trip.com's universal status accumulation. The piece concludes that while OTA elites offer some kickbacks, convenience and pricing often outweigh the benefits for frequent fliers