 You've probably seen hundreds of ads from so-called third-party websites that let you book airline tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars online. Are their prices really cheaper than buying directly from the travel company providing the service? And is there any downside? From America's number one travel radio show, this is your RM World Travel Minute. I'm Rudy Maxa. First, the easy answer. The downside to dealing with a third-party website, of which there are hundreds, is that if anything goes wrong with, say, your hotel or airline reservation, your hotel company or airline often can't help you because you didn't book directly with them.