Online Travel Sites' Dirty Little Secrets

Updated
Online travel
Online travel

The next time you find yourself on a travel website, ask yourself if you're getting the best deal.

On the surface, it certainly seems that way. Priceline.com's (PCLN) William Shatner pops up to let you know that the fast-growing website is scouring competing rates to serve up the biggest bargains. And how can the Travelocity lawn gnome steer you wrong?

These days -- especially when most of the major websites have eliminated the booking fees that savvy travelers could have sidestepped by booking directly -- there is absolutely nothing wrong with leaning on traditional travel portals.

However, it's important to be careful and thorough to make sure that you're getting the most bang for your buck.

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Longtime Motley Fool contributor Rick Munarriz does not own shares in any of the stocks in this article. The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of Microsoft, HomeAway, priceline.com, and Southwest Airlines, as well as creating a bull call spread position in Microsoft.

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