Hotels
Can You Really Get Big Hotel Discounts Via Text Message?
I came across an article about SnapTravel a few weeks ago and decided to check it out. Snap Travel claims to offer big hotel discounts via text or Facebook Messenger. I was skeptical how good the discounts would be compared to a myriad of other booking options, but decided to give it a try for several upcoming trips.
How Does Snap Travel Work?
- Enter your destination and dates. Phone number if you want deals via SMS text or click the Messenger button to see the deals in Facebook.
- On Messenger you get a message with a preview of some of the best deals and a link to see all. Via text you get a link to the website with all the deals.
How Good Are Snap Travel’s Hotel Discounts?
It depends.
With my limited experience looking in Seattle and the Bay Area they do offer better discounts than sites like Orbitz and Hotels.com. Mostly with non-chain/small chain hotels — properties that might not offer member pricing or AAA discounts — and with room type assigned at check-in.
And inventory is still challenging. For my weekend in Willamette, they couldn’t offer any options closer than Portland, about an hour away.
For a stay in Berkeley at the Hotel Shattuck they were $18 cheaper (for a non assigned room) than the best rate I could get on Hotels.com.
Their discounts at chains like Starwood and Marriott are not always cheaper than the hotel website. Snap Travel was offering lower pricing at the W Seattle than other third party sites but were not as cheap as the AAA Hot Rate or SPG member discount.
I’ll note however, that I rarely, if ever, make reservations at major chains on third party sites since I value the free internet and other benefits that my elite status offer more than a small discount.
I have yet to book with them but am adding them to my list of sites to check when planning trips.
UPDATE: I now have a code offering 10% off your first booking, up to $100. Apply KERIA77 when checking out.
I also have used SnapTravel to book a hotel in Singapore, this was my experience.
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Patrick
September 13, 2017 at 5:45 am
I’m considering using SnapTravel to book a room. Do you have a referral code?
Keri Anderson
September 13, 2017 at 10:53 am
Thanks for checking! I do not have a referral code or discount, but I noticed they offered me a limited time 10% discount when I looked at hotels but didn’t book right away.
Keri Anderson
November 6, 2017 at 11:57 pm
Update: I now have a code that will get you 10% off your first booking, up to $100, code KERIA77.
Rita eisman
November 6, 2017 at 11:53 pm
I may have booked the room twice by mistake
Keri Anderson
November 6, 2017 at 11:56 pm
I would contact them ASAP — they have great customer service and might be able to help!
ML
February 9, 2018 at 11:09 pm
I booked a good hotel deal at Mandarin Oriental Taipei. After I received my confirmation from SnapTravel, I contacted the hotel 7days later to confirm they have my rsvp. After 2wks of back and forth, the Hotel do not have my rsvp and SnapTravel finally came back and said ‘due to system errors, they cannot confirm my rsvp’. They did not provide me with anything else. SnapTravel want to place me at another hotel. I don’t have an option of which hotel. Any suggestion what I can do at this moment? I got a great deal and really want to keep my rsvp with Mandarin Oriental.
Diana
February 13, 2018 at 11:35 am
I totally recommend Snap Travel! I booked a very good hotel with Snap Travel and everything was ok.
Great experience! Exceptional deal, very professional, quick response, reservation confirmed.