Room Services

Biggest Players

* Hotels.com. Features rooms in more than 70,000 hotels worldwide. Its network covers major North American and European cities. (New York, Miami, Hong Kong, London are all strong points.) But it also has options in less-expected markets, such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Full prepayment for rooms is required. A big inventory of chain properties makes this a good choice for travelers who prefer a familiar hotel setting. But deals on independent properties pop up here, too. For late February, the site's rate at the Dream Hotel in New York: $215. The rate on the hotel's site: $278.

* Quikbook.com ( http://www.quikbook.com/). Offers more than 1,300 hotels in 75 destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean and in several European countries. New York, Florida and California hotels are a particular strength. Good for travelers who want a pretty sure deal in a high-quality property. One big plus is that with a few exceptions, guests reserve through Quikbook but pay the hotel directly at the end of the stay. Mid-February rate at South Seas hotel in Miami: $294. On the hotel's site: $326.29.

* Orbitz.com. Although better known for its airline booking features, this agency offers rooms at more than 45,000 hotels worldwide. Rooms must be paid in advance. Good for Europe-bound travelers. A double in February at the Avenida Palace in Barcelona: $137. On the hotel's site: $142.

* Expedia.com. The largest Internet-based hotel site, it has an inventory of 70,000 hotel rooms in more than 2,000 destinations in the United States and abroad. Covers many second- and third-tier destinations that other sites do not. Prepayment is required. Excellent deals often pop up here. A double in February at the Hawthorn Suites in Manhattan Beach, Calif., went for $109. On the hotel's site: $135.

* Travelocity.com. Offers more than 70,000 hotels worldwide. The inventory ranges widely, but some of the best bargains are in resort properties. Prepayment is required. Double at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club in mid-February: $170. On the hotel's site: $269.

* PlacesToStay.com ( http://www.placestostay.com/). This site, based in Ireland, has 20,000 hotels, mostly in North American and European cities. They include a large number of bed-and-breakfast inns, villas and smaller properties, making it a good place for leisure travelers to look. Full payment required in advance. A double in February in the Elite Hotel in Prague goes for $102. On the hotel's site: $115.

* Travelweb.com ( http://www.travelweb.com/). Owned by Priceline.com, this agency lists rooms in 60,000 hotels in the United States and abroad. The major U.S. chain properties -- Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt International and Starwood -- are represented heavily here, so the site is best for travelers who prefer these brands. Rooms must be prepaid. Here's a case where a better rate might appear on the hotel's site. For a double at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis: $179. On the hotel chain's site: $149.

* Cheaptickets.com. Like several of its competitors, this agency also sells airline tickets and other travel services. Its inventory includes more than 65,000 hotels worldwide, including particularly good deals on midlevel resorts. Prepayment is mandatory. A deluxe garden-view double at the Castle Kiahuna Plantation & the Beach Bungalows in Kauai: $218. The rate on the resort's site: $239.

* Travel.Yahoo.com. Offering rooms at 150,000 properties worldwide, this site has a bigger inventory than most of its competitors. It is best for those who favor the major American chains since they dominate the inventory. Site seems to have fewer bargains than others. Mid-February rate at Le Pavillion in New Orleans: $199. On the hotel's site: $209.

Hidden-Provider Sites

* Priceline.com. Travelers booking a hotel through this site have two options. They can book a room at a discount rate from the agency's list of thousands of properties in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. Or, for a reduction of up to 50 percent off the published rate, they can bid on a room. Customers don't know the names of the hotels involved; they indicate the city, part of town, number of stars and how much they are willing to pay, and submit credit card information. (Check the independent Web site http://www.biddingfortravel.com/ for advice on how much to bid and other tips.) Only after a hotel accepts the bid is its identity revealed. The advantage is that some of the best bargains on the Internet are available here. One traveler on the site reported getting a rate of $149 at the Prince Waikiki Marina in Oahu; the lowest rate offered on the hotel's site: $229. The downside is that once the bid is accepted, your credit card is charged and only in rare circumstances can a room be canceled or a charge refunded.

* Hotwire.com. Bookers indicate the city where they are headed and are told the number of stars and the prices of available properties. After they select an option and enter credit card information, they are told the name and address of the hotel. The advantage here is that you are told the price you are going to pay before you give your credit card information. You are also told the percentage saved over what you would pay by booking directly at the hotel. A double at the Doubletree hotel in Tulsa, Okla., went for $60 here. The rate on the hotel's site: $89.

For Hotels Abroad

* Venere.com ( http://www.venere.com/). This Italian site features discounts at 12,000 hotels, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts all over the world. Particularly good deals pop up here on properties in Europe. Venere charges users one night's stay to secure the reservation. A double at the Hotel Torino in Rome: $142. On the hotel's site: $272.