three reasons NOT to book this online rate...

Online bookings can be a big mistake, and this article will highlight one of the pitfalls of using expedia, hotels.com, or other online wholesalers. This information is based on a mock booking at the beautiful Park Hyatt Sydney — a one-night stay on 14FEB for the lead-in room. The screenshot above is from expedia.com, and the rate is displayed in US dollars.

It would be a mistake to book this rate online. Here are three reasons why...


Reason One — expedia's rate is non-refundable

Take a careful look at the small print at the top center of the screenshot, just above "Free WiFi," you'll see the words Non-Refundable. Click on the question mark icon, you'll find this explanation.

Reason Two — expedia's explanation is deceptive

"This specially discounted rate?" Expedia seems to justify the non-refundable rate with the claim that they're somehow saving you money ... but they're NOT.

The Hyatt website shows a rate $983 with tax included. Hotel rates in Australia always include tax, but Expedia is hiding the room tax. You won't know about it unless you click the "price details" link. Or until you book the room and learn that your card has been charged a non-refundable $983. (By the way, the rate on hyatt.com is refundable.)

Reason Three — you're missing out on an even better value

For the same $983 USD, you can book the same room through your Virtuoso travel advisor, make no prepayment, have the freedom to cancel up to 48 hours before arrival, and receive additional Virtuoso amenities that will definitely save you money.

• Daily Full Breakfast for two per bedroom, served in The Dining Room
• One way airport transfer in BMW 7 Series (includes tolls)
• an upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Do you enjoy being your own travel agent and booking on the web? At least book through the Virtuoso website to score these amenities! This link will take you to the Park Hyatt Sydney page on Virtuoso.com. Fill in your dates, select a Virtuoso travel advisor, and take advantage of the best luxury value out there!

copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

putting dollars back in your pocket

The logic of the internet compels shoppers to search, search, search for the absolutely lowest price they can find. The screenshot above shows the current nightly price for a 5-night stay in a lead-in room at a beachside resort at a Hilton-affiliated property. Many shoppers would probably think, "Wow... I should join Hilton Hhonors; it's free and I can save $24 a night!!!"

But booking this rate would be an expensive mistake. Sure, you'll save $24 per night ... but there's an even better value out there, Virtuoso! Even though the Virtuoso rate is equal to the regular rate of $616, here are three reasons reasons why it's the far better deal. At this particular hotel (the Waldorf Astoria in Los Cabos) ...

• You'll receive two complimentary breakfast buffets daily.
• You'll receive a one-time $150 Resort credit that you can use towards incidental expenses during your stay (like lunch, dinner, drinks, or spa treatments).
• You'll be upgraded to a room with a better view if one is available at your check-in.

It's certainly a forgivable mistake. Most hotel shoppers don't know about Virtuoso, but now you do! If you're planning a stay at a luxury hotel, don't book on the hotel's website, and don't go to an OTA (an online travel agency such as expedia or hotels.com). Bookmark Virtuoso.com, and always start your hotel shopping there. You can book many Virtuoso hotels (but not all) right on the website and score those valuable amenities which put dollars back in your pocket. Some hotels don't have booking on the Virtuoso website, but just email your Virtuoso travel advisor who can quickly make the booking for you. Read this article to learn how you can make your own Virtuoso booking while we VIP your stay.

Knowing about Virtuoso can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a typical hotel stay, money back in your pocket.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.