The Third Party booking sites Andy is referring to are (presumably) online accommodation booking agents. Of these, the well-known ones that most travelers are using are huge and VERY influential with accommodation providers. They have solid contracts with major accommodation providers. So Andy is claiming the possibility of getting preferential treatment through booking with a travel agent but this can also be true in the case of booking through the Third Party sites as they have buying power – probably much more. (using the same reasons as Andy has given). Where I think what Andy should have been aiming for is not about gaining a possibility of a small incentive (Room upgrade or a few perks & coupons, etc) but that personalized service, i.e. Human Touch that a traveler gets from Andy which the Third Party cannot replicate even with the use of their digital robots PLUS complete transparency of information about the state of the accommodation which some of the travel agents like Andy can provide is very valuable. For example, a super discount which is provided by the Online booking site may not reveal (or even know) that there is a major renovation taking place in that hotel during your intended stay. Travel agents can give travelers current knowledge of the product. So yes, booking with the right travel agent will come out better in the end but not just the reason given by Andy.