Traveling means you need to penny-pinch
on every opportunity you can. This is why I love hotel and flight
apps. Most of these apps let you enjoy members-only discounts, as
well as points accrual and discount coupons that you can enjoy on
future bookings.
on every opportunity you can. This is why I love hotel and flight
apps. Most of these apps let you enjoy members-only discounts, as
well as points accrual and discount coupons that you can enjoy on
future bookings.
One of such new apps on the market is
Traveloka. The
app promises an experience that lets you “search and book cheap
flight tickets/ hotels in 3 easy steps”: type, search, and click to
browse. It also boasts a “what you see is what you pay” system —
no hidden charges whatsoever.
Traveloka. The
app promises an experience that lets you “search and book cheap
flight tickets/ hotels in 3 easy steps”: type, search, and click to
browse. It also boasts a “what you see is what you pay” system —
no hidden charges whatsoever.
Traveloka has both desktop and mobile
versions, but according to its website, users can enjoy bigger
discounts on the mobile app. And of course, when discounts are
mentioned, I am always quick to try. ALWAYS. #salemonger
versions, but according to its website, users can enjoy bigger
discounts on the mobile app. And of course, when discounts are
mentioned, I am always quick to try. ALWAYS. #salemonger
SEARCHING
Traveloka’s
interface is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve downloaded the app,
you will be brought to a home page to choose hotels, flights, or a
combination of both. The app is intuitive too, conveniently
suggesting origins and destinations, plus a nifty calendar for
check-in and check-out dates. Its soothing white-and-blue interface
is clean and streamlined, without annoying pop-ups, ads, or alerts
while booking (or even afterwards).
interface is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve downloaded the app,
you will be brought to a home page to choose hotels, flights, or a
combination of both. The app is intuitive too, conveniently
suggesting origins and destinations, plus a nifty calendar for
check-in and check-out dates. Its soothing white-and-blue interface
is clean and streamlined, without annoying pop-ups, ads, or alerts
while booking (or even afterwards).
 |
| You can choose from over 100,000 hotels across the world in the Traveloka App, including B&Bs, homestays, inns, serviced residences, lodges, and pension houses. |
To get started, I
downloaded the Traveloka
App and registered as a member. Signing up requires one of three
easy-peasy ways: entering your email or mobile number, signing up via
Facebook, or with a Google account. I chose the last and was a member
in one click. You can also send feedback or report a bug at the ready
(which, by the way, I did not encounter during my searches).
downloaded the Traveloka
App and registered as a member. Signing up requires one of three
easy-peasy ways: entering your email or mobile number, signing up via
Facebook, or with a Google account. I chose the last and was a member
in one click. You can also send feedback or report a bug at the ready
(which, by the way, I did not encounter during my searches).
Compared to other
platforms, one advantage I found with Traveloka is that you can
readily see prices even if you’re not a member, which eliminates the
hassle if you’re there to simply check
on current rates. If you’ve decided to lock in on that price, simply
click the “Book now” button. You will be directed to a
registration page, and you can continue booking without going back to
square one.
platforms, one advantage I found with Traveloka is that you can
readily see prices even if you’re not a member, which eliminates the
hassle if you’re there to simply check
on current rates. If you’ve decided to lock in on that price, simply
click the “Book now” button. You will be directed to a
registration page, and you can continue booking without going back to
square one.
To
see if they do offer the cheapest flights and hotels, I typed in a
flight from Dumaguete to Cebu.
Voila!
Immediately, a list of airlines plying that route is populated,
starting from the cheapest. I checked with the airlines and the rates
match. No hidden charges and booking fees as promised. I also like that I don’t have to go back and forth to unclick add-ons. The app
lets you add things as you go.
see if they do offer the cheapest flights and hotels, I typed in a
flight from Dumaguete to Cebu.
Voila!
Immediately, a list of airlines plying that route is populated,
starting from the cheapest. I checked with the airlines and the rates
match. No hidden charges and booking fees as promised. I also like that I don’t have to go back and forth to unclick add-ons. The app
lets you add things as you go.
But of course,
searching is only half of the deal.
searching is only half of the deal.
So, to see if the
booking process is really one that’s geared for “Travel Made
Simple” – a benefit outlined on their homepage – I booked the
cheapest stay for Larena, Siquijor
for a trip in May.
booking process is really one that’s geared for “Travel Made
Simple” – a benefit outlined on their homepage – I booked the
cheapest stay for Larena, Siquijor
for a trip in May.
 |
| Surfing on both the Cebu Pacific website and Traveloka App for Dumaguete-Cebu flights for verification. True enough, ticket prices are the same in both — no hidden charges. |
Here’s the 411.
BOOKING
After typing in
hotel details, you’ll see a list of hotels within and near your
desired location. At the bottom, there are clickable tabs for sorting
by price and filtering according to price range, facilities, rating,
preferences (budget/ luxury), and accommodation type.
hotel details, you’ll see a list of hotels within and near your
desired location. At the bottom, there are clickable tabs for sorting
by price and filtering according to price range, facilities, rating,
preferences (budget/ luxury), and accommodation type.
The hotel snippets
outline main perks such as breakfast and free WiFi availability, a
refund clause, and two ratings: one is Traveloka’s consumer-based
rating and another is for Tripadvisor. I found this convenient, since
I got to read guest reviews without opening Tripadvisor on another
browser.
outline main perks such as breakfast and free WiFi availability, a
refund clause, and two ratings: one is Traveloka’s consumer-based
rating and another is for Tripadvisor. I found this convenient, since
I got to read guest reviews without opening Tripadvisor on another
browser.
 |
| This is basically what you’ll see when you select a hotel on the list. Tap on the back button to see the details for other hotels in your chosen area. |
Clicking on a
specific hotel shows a complete rundown of must-know stuff:
facilities, reviews, a map and the hotel’s distance to main
attractions, and a detailed description. It’s a superb feature to
have on something as handy as a smartphone.
specific hotel shows a complete rundown of must-know stuff:
facilities, reviews, a map and the hotel’s distance to main
attractions, and a detailed description. It’s a superb feature to
have on something as handy as a smartphone.
But what I love
most is their integrated, one-click Google map that shows the exact
location of each hotel in the area, along with their respective
prices. At once, I was able to decide which facility to book based on
both location and price.
most is their integrated, one-click Google map that shows the exact
location of each hotel in the area, along with their respective
prices. At once, I was able to decide which facility to book based on
both location and price.
Because I want to
check if Traveloka really does offer lower pricing for app users (or
if it’s only a marketing gimmick), I compared the desktop and in-app rates. The result: a P60 discount on the app on a P550+ standard single room!
Aside from such
discounts, Traveloka offers regular travel
promos and coupon codes on both flights and stays. At the moment,
they offer a 50% discount on select international hotels. There’s
also an additional 35 percent app-only discount on Japan and
Singapore
hotels (Type in ESCAPE35 on the promo code until March 31).
Pretty good incentives to download the app, if you’ll ask me.
discounts, Traveloka offers regular travel
promos and coupon codes on both flights and stays. At the moment,
they offer a 50% discount on select international hotels. There’s
also an additional 35 percent app-only discount on Japan and
Singapore
hotels (Type in ESCAPE35 on the promo code until March 31).
Pretty good incentives to download the app, if you’ll ask me.
 |
| Searching for the same hotel on the app and on Traveloka’s desktop website gives you an exclusive app-only discount on hotels. Here, I saw a P60 discount on a standard single fan room in Tumamak Lodge. |
Now, I’ve decided
on Tumamak Lodge in Larena, so I went ahead and booked a double room. The booking
page showed me a summary of my stay, as well as special requests (if
any). After that, it’s just three steps more to sealing the deal
(which means three chances to check if you made the correct booking):
review, pay, and receive your voucher.
on Tumamak Lodge in Larena, so I went ahead and booked a double room. The booking
page showed me a summary of my stay, as well as special requests (if
any). After that, it’s just three steps more to sealing the deal
(which means three chances to check if you made the correct booking):
review, pay, and receive your voucher.
PAYING
Paying with
Traveloka is a breezy experience. You have a choice to make a secured
credit card payment (all Visa and Mastercard CCs are accepted), which
is my default payment for online purchases. During registration, I’ve
provided my credit card details already, so one click did the work.
Traveloka is a breezy experience. You have a choice to make a secured
credit card payment (all Visa and Mastercard CCs are accepted), which
is my default payment for online purchases. During registration, I’ve
provided my credit card details already, so one click did the work.
 |
| Payment page. Choose My Cards to pay with credit card, or Other Payments for over-the-counter payment options. |
If
you don’t have a credit card, You may also opt for over-the-counter
payment via
Dragonpay or Coins.ph:
you don’t have a credit card, You may also opt for over-the-counter
payment via
Dragonpay or Coins.ph:
-
7-11 branches
-
M. Lhuillier
branches
-
BDO
-
BPI
-
Metrobank
-
Landbank
-
Chinabank
Here, you can
finally apply coupon codes for further discount.
finally apply coupon codes for further discount.
My only concern is
that Paypal payment isn’t available yet – something they can improve
on.
that Paypal payment isn’t available yet – something they can improve
on.
COMPLETELY PAPERLESS
Within seconds
after payment, I received a confirmation text on my phone confirming
my booking, as well as an email with my hotel voucher and
transaction receipt. Accessible offline, this voucher contains
booking particulars and a map to the hotel, and a proof of stay,
should the front desk request for it. It’s a relief to not have to
worry about last-minute printing, which is a bad habit of mine.
after payment, I received a confirmation text on my phone confirming
my booking, as well as an email with my hotel voucher and
transaction receipt. Accessible offline, this voucher contains
booking particulars and a map to the hotel, and a proof of stay,
should the front desk request for it. It’s a relief to not have to
worry about last-minute printing, which is a bad habit of mine.
 |
| The Traveloka hotel voucher is sent to your email right after payment. It is accessible offline. |
Also, if your
hotel has a phone (i.e. not super rural as mine), the voucher will
also have a “Call Hotel” feature, so you can be phone-patched immediately to the hotel should you have inquiries. Neat, yes?
hotel has a phone (i.e. not super rural as mine), the voucher will
also have a “Call Hotel” feature, so you can be phone-patched immediately to the hotel should you have inquiries. Neat, yes?
BOTTOMLINE
Overall, I think
the Traveloka App is promising. Everything is made ridiculously easy, be
it checking flight and hotel details, comparing prices, or even booking.
Save for that that itsy bitsy part on being Paypal-less, I dare say
this has probably been the easiest
hotel booking I’ve had using a mobile app. It’s convenient,
simple, and you’ll have all you need in the
palm of your hands when vacation day arrives.
the Traveloka App is promising. Everything is made ridiculously easy, be
it checking flight and hotel details, comparing prices, or even booking.
Save for that that itsy bitsy part on being Paypal-less, I dare say
this has probably been the easiest
hotel booking I’ve had using a mobile app. It’s convenient,
simple, and you’ll have all you need in the
palm of your hands when vacation day arrives.
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