What Does Price Match Mean On Hotel Websites?
There are several different popular travel websites available for consumers to choose from. However, how can you know that you have found the best deal? Can you be sure that you won't find a lower price later? Many travel websites have a price matching program that helps assure you that you received the best price, no matter what.
Although the price matching programs for different companies vary, the basic idea remains the same. Price match on hotels means that if you purchase a hotel room and find a lower price on another site later on, the site that you made the booking with will refund the difference.
As an example, imagine a customer books a Holiday Inn hotel through Expedia for a one night stay on October 4. The Expedia cost of this night is $150. Several days later, you notice that Orbitz has a sale, and the same Holiday Inn for October 4 costs only $100. That customer could then call Expedia and provide them the information that was found on Orbitz. The price match guarantee would allow the customer to receive a refund of $50.
There are several restrictions that most companies put on their price match guarantee, including:
- Price matching only applies to prices found on the internet. Prices quoted over the phone do not apply.
- Price matching only applies to the exact same hotel for the exact same night or nights stayed.
- Price matching only applies to actual dollar amounts, not percentages off.
- Companies will not match prices resulting from a hotel loyalty program, such as Hilton HHonors.
Check with your online travel company to find the exact details of their price match guarantee.