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Claims approved for payment within this system are designed to use electronic funds transfer (EFT) to your checking/savings account or VA debit card. If your EFT information is not on file with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Financial Management System (FMS) your approved payment may be delayed until the information is provided to process your claim or adjustments are made to allow for temporary payment by check. If you currently receive other benefit payments by EFT from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) your EFT information is not on file with our system unless you have provided it previously to your local VA Medical Center. You can confirm if your EFT information is on file by reviewing your Veteran profile screen. If it is missing please contact your local BT office to update it. They will provide you with the necessary signature forms to have it added.

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What you need to know about direct versus third-party travel bookings

When you're planning a trip, there are several ways to make reservations for your flights, hotel and rental car. Two of the most common options include booking directly with the provider and using a third-party service, such as an online travel agency. But is one method better than the other?

Let's go over each method's benefits and everything you should consider before booking a trip.

What is a direct booking?

A direct booking involves paying for and reserving your travels through the airline, hotel or car rental agency itself. For example, if you want to book a stay at a Hilton hotel , you can use the Hilton website to make your reservation. Or, if you want to fly on United Airlines, you can book your reservation through the airline's website.

What is a third-party booking?

A third-party booking encompasses any sort of travel that's reserved with a separate provider (such as OTAs like Expedia and Priceline) and not directly through an airline, hotel or car rental agency. Other examples of third-party providers include travel agents and credit card travel portals (like Chase Travel℠ and Amex Travel ).

Benefits of booking directly

At TPG, we often recommend making direct bookings for travel. Here are some of the top benefits of booking directly:

Direct bookings cut out the middleman

If there's an issue with your travel, such as a flight delay or cancellation, you can deal with the airline itself and not a third party. Or, if the airline makes changes to your flight times and the new schedule doesn't work for you, you can reach out to the carrier to switch your flight to a more appropriate time — or even cancel it altogether.

Dealing with an airline directly can be much more efficient than trying to navigate reservation changes with a third party. It can mean the difference between having several rebooking options or having none at all because other travelers (who likely booked directly with the airline) got first priority.

The same goes for hotels and rental car agencies. Let's say you decided to revise your travel dates, so you want to make a voluntary change to your reservation. You may not be able to easily do this with a third-party booking site, especially if you used an OTA.

Oftentimes, third-party reservations have more restrictive policies regarding changes or cancellations. Or, you may be charged a fee to make changes. For example, if you contact JetBlue to make a ticket change on a travel agency booking instead of one made via JetBlue's website, you'll be charged a $50 service fee per person. If you can't self-manage your reservation on JetBlue's website and you want to avoid the service fee, the airline advises contacting the third party that booked your ticket for assistance.

However, the third-party booking site itself may also impose change fees. For example, Priceline's website states that "if your flight's fare rules allow a change, a per ticket exchange processing fee may apply." Similarly, Hotels.com 's terms and conditions disclose that it may also charge for reservation changes.

You can earn rewards and qualify for elite status

Typically, airline bookings have been eligible for miles-earning progress that counts directly toward elite status whether you book directly or via a third party. This means that if you book a flight through a third party and include your loyalty program number on the reservation, you should earn miles that adhere to the airline's fare class rules. If you have status with that airline, you will be eligible for status perks, such as seat selection or a free checked bag.

Related: When you will (and won't) earn miles on your flight

The same is not true for third-party hotel bookings , though. When you book a hotel reservation through a third party, you typically do not earn points or qualify for any status benefits through loyalty programs.

If you're booking with an independent travel agent or travel adviser, be sure to ask whether your reservations will qualify for status-earning metrics like points, nights or stays. In some cases, your travel agent may be booking a package deal that won't earn hotel rewards, but you may still be able to include a frequent flyer number to get airline miles or status benefits. In other cases, you may be able to book through a program like Hyatt Prive or Hilton Impresario that does qualify for points and elite night credits.

Promotions or perks are often available to frequent guests

Direct bookings are more profitable to the airline, hotel or rental car agency, as these companies do not have to pay a commission to a third party for your reservations. Thus, you can reap benefits that encourage you to continue booking directly.

For airlines, hotels and rental car agencies, there may be discounts or promotions available to customers who book directly. Additionally, loyalty program members often receive targeted offers and coupon codes that can only be redeemed when you book directly.

When it comes to hotels, you may get a better room by booking directly, even if you don't have elite status. Hotels often give the worst rooms (think: ones with no view, that are small, that are not as updated, that sit next to a service elevator, etc.) to people who book via a third party.

Of course, there are exceptions to this. For example, hotels booked via programs like American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts often offer an upgraded room type.

If the hotel happens to be oversold, booking directly means you're less likely to be " walked " (or moved to another hotel because the property you booked is full). However, loyalty program members who book directly, even those with top-tier status, can still be walked. It's just more likely that the hotel will prioritize customers with status over those who booked with a third party.

If you find a lower price for your hotel from a third party, you may be able to price match or take advantage of a "best rate guarantee." This allows you to book directly but pay a lower price by providing proof of the OTA's price. Keep in mind that your proof has to be for the exact same room type; some hotels may classify a room one way on their websites and differently with an OTA, making it harder to request a price match.

Benefits of third-party bookings

Third-party bookings can make sense for lots of travelers for several reasons. Here are some of the top benefits of third-party bookings:

It is easier to quickly compare prices between different options

Sometimes, when you're planning a trip, you want to compare your options for flights, hotels or rental cars. Instead of going to several different airline, hotel or rental car websites, you can use one third-party site or a travel agent to shop and compare prices.

If you don't have a lot of time to do research but want to stick to a set budget, third-party bookings can be a quick way to book a trip within your budget parameters. They also typically allow you to package airfare, hotel and a rental car into one booking, which can help simplify planning.

You'll often find lower prices and discounts

While you may sometimes find promotions and discounts when making direct bookings, third parties frequently offer steep discounts as well, especially on last-minute hotel stays. Many hotels would rather sell the room via a third-party company and pay the commission instead of the room going unsold. Just keep in mind that you may get the smallest room with a view of a brick wall, as the hotel has no incentive to upgrade you to anything nicer.

Additionally, some of the lesser-known OTAs may offer bigger discounts compared to the more mainstream OTAs. However, buyer beware: They may also be harder to deal with if you run into any problems on your trip or your booking needs a modification or cancellation. Programs like these include brands like HotelTonight.

Some OTAs have their own rewards programs

If you frequently book travel through an OTA, it can be worthwhile to join its rewards program.

Members of One Key , the loyalty program for Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, receive 2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, activities, packages, car rentals and cruises. They also get 0.2% in OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible flights.

Similarly, Priceline has a VIP program that offers benefits and discounts based on your status level. Status is earned through completed trips or from having the Priceline VIP Rewards™ Visa® Card .

The information for the Priceline Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

In some cases, you have a travel advocate

Booking trips through an independent travel agent or travel adviser (rather than an OTA) can actually work to your advantage, especially if you find yourself needing to pivot during a delay or cancellation.

When you need to contact an airline or hotel, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate time zones. But if you book with a travel agent, you can be sleeping in the middle of the night while they handle the rebooking logistics for you.

Travel agents also often have insider information about specific destinations and can recommend activities based on your interests. As an added bonus, they can help you pick activities that fit within your set vacation budget.

Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes

Should you avoid third-party bookings?

The biggest reason to avoid third-party bookings is that these sites function as middlemen, which can cause problems if you have delays or cancellations. It may be difficult to reach a human to speak to if you book a trip with an OTA or credit card travel portal. A lot of communication and customer service for these services is done through email or online chat. When you're trying to rebook travel, time is of the essence, and most people usually don't want to deal with long waits or extensive conversations.

Having travel insurance that covers you for delays and cancellations, either through your credit card or a separate policy you purchased, is always smart, especially if your bookings are through a third party.

Also, be sure to watch out for fees with third-party bookings. For example, Priceline adds a convenience fee when selecting a seat for a flight, even when the airline itself doesn't charge one. Change and cancellation fees are also common with third-party companies.

That being said, there are several instances when third-party bookings might be the best way to book your travel.

For a last-minute reservation when your plans are unlikely to change, a third-party booking may be a smart choice if it saves you money rather than booking directly. However, if you think you may need to cancel or reschedule your travel, changes are much easier to make when trips are booked directly. It's important to read the fine print, as third-party reservations may be nonrefundable with no options to book a refundable rate (unlike direct bookings, which often offer both refundable and nonrefundable options).

Another instance when you may want to book with a third party is when using credit card benefits that require reserving travel through the card issuer's travel portal. Such benefits may include the annual $50 hotel credit from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the $300 annual travel credit from the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . The only way to use these benefits is to make your bookings via Chase Travel℠ or the Capital One travel portal .

Third-party bookings can also be a great option when you want to reserve a hotel that isn't part of a major chain, so earning rewards or having status doesn't matter as much.

Bottom line

If being able to easily reach a live customer service representative and seamlessly rebook travel (if needed) is important to you, skip the OTAs and stick with direct bookings. Spending a little more to have those safeguards in place can be worth it.

That said, there may be times when it makes sense to book via a third party. If you've determined the benefits (like a potential deal) outweigh the drawbacks, making a third-party booking may be the best way to go.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

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For a lot of people, buying car insurance is like buying sliced bread. It’s not the most exciting purchase, and the options all seem similar. So thrifty shoppers might simply reach for the cheapest thing on the shelf. But like cheap bread, cheap car insurance may leave you wishing you spent a little more on quality.

“The cheapest is not always the best,” warns Jessica McNally, an agency owner with Goosehead Insurance in Dallas. That’s because there are lots of factors that make up a car insurance company. And while price is one of them, it’s best to look at the bigger picture.

Here’s what to look for when picking the best car insurance company.

1. Choose a financially stable company

The best car insurance companies have plenty of money on hand to pay for customers’ claims. It’s important to check an insurer’s financial stability before buying a policy, especially if it’s a smaller insurer you’ve never heard of.

There are several independent agencies that evaluate the financial strength of insurance companies. One example is A.M. Best. You can use its online search tool to find an insurer’s financial strength rating. Companies with a rating of A or higher are considered to have an excellent ability to pay out customer claims.

2. Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews

Not every insurer is customer-first. That’s why it’s important to research the customer satisfaction of insurers you’re considering.

You can turn to surveys from companies like J.D. Power to find insurers with the best customer satisfaction scores [0] J.D. Power . Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . Or, if you don’t mind doing a little detective work, you can compare customer complaints against insurers by using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website . But take other people’s emotionally charged comments about companies or agents you might read online with a grain of salt, McNally advises.

3. Look for convenience

A great auto insurer should offer multiple ways to manage a policy. For example, some insurers allow customers to use a mobile app to file and track claims. But it’s hard to tell how simple it’ll be to file a claim or perform other essential tasks, like paying your premium, before becoming a customer.

Some telltale signs that an insurer will be easy to work with are high mobile app ratings, flexible customer service hours and an easy-to-use website with helpful content. Consider asking a company representative to walk you through the claims process to learn what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. And pay attention to how the company communicates with you. "If they don't properly communicate, well, that's a warning sign," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.

4. Pick an affordable company

Car insurance premiums are stretching to record-breaking heights [0] U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS . Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources , and almost half of U.S. consumers shopped for a new car insurance policy in the past year, according to an April 2024 report by J.D. Power [0] J.D. Power . Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . The best car insurance companies offer competitive rates and a variety of potential discounts.

It’s not hard to get car insurance quotes online from many companies. Make sure you compare the same coverage options throughout the quote-gathering process. And don’t forget to look for car insurance discounts, like breaks for being a good driver, paying your premium in full or driving a new car.

More tips to find the best car insurance

When shopping for the best car insurance, keep the following tips in mind.

Assess your needs. Before buying car insurance, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you and your family. For example, maybe you prioritize affordability and a well-polished mobile app, but don’t need accident forgiveness .  

Consider small insurers. There are lots of small insurance companies you’ve probably never heard of. These regional insurers may provide lower rates and better customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV.

Work with an independent agent. While it may be easy to get quotes yourself, independent car insurance agents and brokers can streamline the process. These experts vet companies and compile quotes from small and large insurers on your behalf. Independent agents and brokers can especially come in handy if you have a less-than-perfect driving record and can’t find insurance on your own.

Do your research. Search online for recent mentions of a company in the news before buying a policy, recommends DeLong. If you find a company has lots of recent lawsuits against it, you may want to think twice about signing on the dotted line. “And if they've had to pay out settlements, that's an even bigger red flag,” DeLong says.

Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance every year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so what might have been the most affordable option last year may no longer be a bargain.

On a similar note...

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Israel-Gaza latest: Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal - as Netanyahu casts doubt on deal

Joe Biden announced a surprise plan with three phases: the first would be a six-week ceasefire, the second the return of remaining hostages, and the third a reconstruction plan for Gaza. We'll be bringing you all the reaction to this throughout the day.

Sunday 2 June 2024 07:16, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• US President Joe Biden announces new ceasefire and hostage deal proposal
• Hamas views latest proposed deal 'positively'
• Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed, Netanyahu's office says
• Chances of ceasefire 'not that realistic', expert says  
• Egypt making 'intensive efforts' to resume negotiations - report
• Israeli opposition leader urges Netanyahu to take deal - and says he will prop up government
• Explained: What is in Biden's three-phase plan?
• Analysis: Israel seemed blindsided by Biden announcement
• Live reporting by Emily Mee

We will be focusing on our general election coverage tomorrow, but we'll be back with more live updates on the Israel-Hamas war next week. 

Models Bella and Gigi Hadid are collectively donating one million dollars (£785,000) to support relief efforts, according to their agent. 

The money will go to Heal Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), World Central Kitchen (WCK), and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The sisters have frequently been vocal in their support for Gaza, and their father Mohamed Anwar Hadid is himself Palestinian. 

After Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel, Gigi, 29, offered her condolences to those affected.

"My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict - too many of which are children," she wrote on Instagram.

"I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily."

She added: "While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person."

Bella, 27, said in May that she was "devastated at the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy coming from the government systems worldwide".

The United Nations food agency has said it is unable to feed most civilians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. 

Only 27,000 people in Rafah are currently being reached by the World Food Programme (WFP), according to its local director Matthew Hollingworth. 

Roughly one million Palestinians are living in the area, many of them displaced from other parts of Gaza. 

"The sounds, the smells, the everyday life are horrific and apocalyptic," Mr Hollingworth told journalists. 

"People sleep to the sounds of bombing, they sleep to the sounds of drones, they sleep to the sounds of war, as now tanks roll into parts of central Rafah, which is only kilometers away. And they wake to the same sounds." 

A ceasefire proposal consisting of three phases has been outlined by Joe Biden. 

What do those phases entail, what have Israel and Hamas said about the plan and how does it compare to the last proposal?

Read more below...

The French president has backed the ceasefire proposal set out by Joe Biden last night. 

Emmanuel Macron said he supported the proposal for "a durable peace" and that the war "must end". 

France is also working with partners in the region on "peace and security for all", he said. 

A high-level official has said Egypt is undertaking "intensive efforts" to "resume negotiations" for a ceasefire and hostage deal, according to a report. 

The official, quoted by Al-Qahera TV, said this was "in light of the recent American proposition". 

Last night, Joe Biden detailed a ceasefire and hostage deal proposal that he said Israel had put to Hamas. 

However, Israeli officials have told our correspondents they were "blindsided" by the announcement. 

If it works, then this will be a smart and cunning diplomatic move.

If it doesn't then President Joe Biden will look foolish.

He knows the huge risk of once again being taken for a ride by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Few knew that he was due to make this announcement.

Read more from our US correspondent Mark Stone below...

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has said 33 of its employees have been killed in Gaza since the war began. 

Of those, it said 19 were killed "while performing their humanitarian duties". 

The organisation today buried Mohammed Jihad Abed, an employee in the disaster risk management department. 

He was killed in an Israeli attack on his home in Rafah last night. 

American, Egyptian and Israeli officials will be meeting tomorrow in Cairo to discuss the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing, according to a report. 

Egypt is insisting that Israel withdraw its forces from the crossing, a high-level source told Egypt's state-linked Al Qahera TV. 

Israel seized the Gaza side of the crossing last month during its offensive in the city of Rafah. 

Earlier this week, a member of Egypt's security forces was killed in a shooting incident near the Rafah crossing.

An Egyptian soldier stationed on a watchtower had reacted to seeing an armoured vehicle carrying Israeli troops cross a boundary line near the border while the soldiers pursued and killed several Palestinians, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters news agency. 

The soldier opened fire and Israeli forces fired back, killing him, the sources said, sparking an exchange of gunfire between the two sides. 

The British prime minister has praised the proposed ceasefire deal set out by Joe Biden, saying it is "welcome news". 

Rishi Sunak said he hopes Hamas "takes this opportunity to take this deal that is on the table, [and] that would ensure hostages can be released and be back with their families". 

He also expressed hopes to "flood Gaza with far more aid than has been getting in" and to "use that pause in the fighting to build a sustainable and lasting peace". 

Mr Sunak joins a growing group of world leaders expressing support for the deal, which will only put more pressure on Israel and Hamas. 

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