| Does it seem as if every time you look around on | | | | taxes, surcharges, gratuities, service fees, etc, extra? |
| the internet for a hotel room, you find more web | | | | How much are such extra costs if they exist? Are |
| sites that say you can get a hotel room for less? | | | | there any other mandatory costs that you might |
| Though it may sound enticing, online hotel booking | | | | have to pay?o Are there any extra inclusions such as |
| has its own set of challenges. An online discount hotel | | | | breakfast, and, if so, is it a cooked or continental |
| booking web site should provide the following basic | | | | breakfast?o Do you understand what room type and |
| things:o Offer real time hotel room bookingo Allow | | | | bedding configuration you will be getting?o Is your |
| date amendments and cancellations onlineo Rates | | | | reservation guaranteed? Will it be held for late |
| should clearly indicate what currency is being quoted, | | | | arrival?o What is the change, cancellation and refund |
| whether the rate is per person or per room, and | | | | policy if you need to change or cancel your |
| what is and what is not included in the rate, and, if | | | | booking?o Did the credit card number you gave to |
| taxes are not included, how much they will beo The | | | | the internet booking service merely guarantee your |
| location information of the hotel should be listed on | | | | room, or did they charge a deposit (or even the full |
| the hotel description page. This can help identify the | | | | stay) at the time you made your booking to the |
| distance from the hotel to certain landmarks or the | | | | credit card?o You may contact the hotel directly 24 |
| airporto All the information regarding the hotel (such | | | | hours after you've made your online booking, to |
| as facilities and rates) should be located on each | | | | confirm that the booking has appeared in their local |
| hotel's web pageo Pictures of the hotelo Star quality | | | | computer system. You may also check with them to |
| rating, consumer ratings with consumer reviewso | | | | see if the booking is the same as you have made in |
| Does the online hotel booking site have a | | | | terms of room type, room rate, dates, etc.o If you |
| membership program (like that offers reward points | | | | have any special needs or requirements or |
| and privileges | | | | expectations, you should double check with the hotel |
| Checklist before and after you book a hotel room | | | | directly that these special service requests have |
| online | | | | been received by them and are understood and will |
| If you follow this checklist, you're less likely to have | | | | be provided.o Most importantly, if you prepaid any |
| nasty surprises in store for you:o Have you seen the | | | | amounts to the internet website, confirm that you |
| hotel on a map, and do you understand the exact | | | | won't be billed again by the hotel directly. Remember |
| location?o Do you know what the rate is, which | | | | that most internet websites are completely |
| currency it is quoted in, whether this rate is per | | | | independent of the hotels they service, and could be |
| person or per room, per night or per complete | | | | located anywhere in the world; once they get your |
| stay?o Do you understand the standard/quality of | | | | money; there is no guarantee that they will pass it |
| the hotel?o Does the rate include everything or are | | | | on to the hotel in time for your stay. |