Introduction
For decades, the hotel RFP landscape was dominated by a handful of legacy providers such as Lanyon (later acquired by Cvent) and Sabre RFP. These platforms helped establish industry standards, but they also introduced high costs, rigid workflows, and outdated user experiences that frustrated both buyers and hoteliers.
Fast forward to today, and travel managers are demanding something new. Affordable, flexible, and intuitive solutions like modern hotel rfp alternatives to Lanyon and Cvent are changing the way corporations and TMCs approach sourcing.
At the center of this shift is ReadyBid - a next-generation hotel rfp tool designed to eliminate inefficiencies and deliver results without the baggage of legacy systems.
The Problems with Legacy Hotel RFP Software
Before diving into what makes ReadyBid different, let’s examine the shortcomings of older platforms like Lanyon and Cvent:
High Costs
Legacy systems charge thousands per client, per RFP, or per user.
Additional fees for rate audits, reporting, or negotiations inflate budgets.
Rigid Contracts
Annual or multi-year commitments lock corporations into expensive platforms.
No flexibility for scaling up or down based on program needs.
Limited Negotiation Rounds
Many tools restrict the number of negotiation cycles, reducing leverage.
Clunky User Interfaces
Outdated designs frustrate users and discourage adoption.
Hotel Frustration
Suppliers complain about overly complex RFP formats and poor communication.
Add-On Costs for Auditing
Rate auditing is often offered as a premium service, not a standard feature.
Slow Support
Travel managers often cite poor customer service with long response times.
How ReadyBid is Different
ReadyBid was built to address these pain points head-on. Here’s what sets it apart from legacy competitors:
1. Transparent, Affordable Pricing
One low monthly fee with unlimited users, RFPs, and negotiations.
No hidden costs for audits, reporting, or templates.
Month-to-month flexibility without long-term lock-ins.
2. Unlimited Flexibility
No caps on the number of RFPs or hotels.
Endless negotiation rounds until the best rate is secured.
Fully customizable templates and cover letters.
3. Automation & Ease of Use
One-click RFP distribution to 230,000+ hotels worldwide.
Automated follow-ups for late responders.
Built-in benchmarking and side-by-side comparison dashboards.
4. Supplier-Friendly Design
Clean, standardized templates that hotels can complete quickly.
Tools for chains and independents alike, encouraging participation.
Competitive bidding options give hotels more opportunities to win business.
5. Built-In Auditing
Automated rate audits across all major GDSs (Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan, Galileo).
Compliance checks performed multiple times per year.
No extra cost for ensuring negotiated rates are honored.
6. World-Class Support
ReadyBid provides responsive, hands-on support and training at no extra cost.
Dedicated account management for corporations and TMCs.
Why Travel Managers Prefer ReadyBid
Corporate buyers consistently cite these benefits when switching to ReadyBid:
Faster Cycles: RFP season reduced from months to weeks.
More Savings: Competitive bidding and benchmarking deliver stronger rates.
Less Stress: Automation eliminates repetitive manual tasks.
Better Compliance: Built-in auditing ensures negotiated rates are available to travelers.
Flexibility: Unlimited users allow entire teams to collaborate without extra fees.
This is why ReadyBid is widely recognized as the best hotel RFP solution for 2025 and beyond.
The TMC Advantage
Travel management companies (TMCs) especially benefit from ReadyBid:
Manage multiple client programs simultaneously.
Standardize templates and reporting for consistency.
Scale programs up or down without being penalized.
Differentiate with better savings and faster turnaround times.
Legacy tools often penalize agencies for adding clients or expanding programs. ReadyBid does the opposite - it empowers TMCs to grow.
Why Hotels Prefer ReadyBid
Hotels are not just passive participants - their willingness to respond to RFPs directly impacts corporate success. ReadyBid earns high marks from suppliers because:
The platform reduces administrative burden.
Competitive bidding creates new opportunities.
Responses are streamlined, increasing win rates.
Transparency builds stronger long-term partnerships.
By making the process easier for hotels, ReadyBid improves response rates and expands coverage.
Integrations and Exports
Unlike many legacy platforms, ReadyBid is built for seamless integration:
Direct exports to online booking tools like Concur.
Multi-GDS compatibility for rate loading.
Customizable reports for finance, procurement, and compliance teams.
This makes ReadyBid a complete hotel procurement tool, not just a sourcing platform.
Future-Proofing with ReadyBid
While legacy providers are stuck maintaining outdated systems, ReadyBid continues to innovate:
AI-driven rate benchmarking.
Enhanced sustainability tracking within RFP templates.
Custom reporting dashboards tailored to each organization.
Mobile-friendly interfaces for on-the-go management.
This ensures corporations and TMCs stay ahead of industry changes.
Additional Resources
Explore more on the ReadyBid blog for insights on modern sourcing vs legacy tools:
Conclusion
Legacy tools like Lanyon and Cvent paved the way for hotel sourcing, but their high costs, rigid workflows, and poor usability no longer serve today’s market. Travel managers need flexible, affordable, and automated solutions that deliver measurable value.
ReadyBid is the best hotel rfp tool for corporations and TMCs seeking a smarter alternative. With unlimited RFPs, built-in auditing, competitive bidding, and transparent pricing, ReadyBid delivers everything legacy tools can’t.
If your organization is ready to break free from outdated systems and embrace the future of hotel sourcing, the solution is clear.