I'm using booking dot com because I do not need to put a card on file, or pre-pay, or hold the room in any way except to make the reservation.

Traveling in se asia means my plans change fast and I might not actually stay in the place I booked once I see it. I'm traveling on the very low end of the scale - under $10 a night. I want a reservation for the first night, but I don't want to pay for my possible changes. I wonder if I will change if I can afford more - I think I will still be cautious.