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Ehhh, hotel websites aren't all so clear either. Often there is a public rate and a member rate. Cancellable and non. With breakfast and without. And various co

Ehhh, hotel websites aren't all so clear either. Often there is a public rate and a member rate. Cancellable and non. With breakfast and without. And various confusing packages and offers for booking multiple nights or in advance, etc. Right now for the same room on the same dates at Hilton Waikiki Beach, Hilton.com shows 9 different rates (all of which don't directly include resort fee or taxes). And when a resort charges for parking, that fee is almost never included.

lotsofpulp 3y ago
Offering choices is not obfuscating the price. Member pricing requires you to login because of their arrangements with third party sellers requiring them to not “publicly” advertise lower prices. And as soon as you choose a room type, Hilton shows you the total price. Perhaps not the best they could do, but not worth complaining about in my opinion. Parking is often not included or desired, so it makes no sense to include that in the price, but it is listed prominently on the final page.
- listenallyall 3y ago
  > And as soon as you choose a room type, Hilton shows you the total price No, it shows you 9 possible per-night prices, with a small note underneath about resort fee and tax. You'd have to select one to get to the total price, and you still have to figure out some confusing terms... what is "semi-flex" rate? Which is better, deluxe mountain view or a premium mountain view? And of course, the prices might all be different if you visit the site next week.
  - lotsofpulp 3y ago
    In the app, there is a “quick book” option, above the “more rates” option. Quick book option is the cancelable reservation with typical terms. It seems pretty easy for those that want a straightforward reservation to choose quick book, and for those that want more nuance, to choose more rates and figure out what they want.
    - listenallyall 3y ago
      > In the app We were talking about websites
      - lotsofpulp 3y ago
        Yes, sorry, I was not near computer to be able to compare. I assumed the options are similar on the website. Edit: The website shows the same options as the app, a "quick book" price and "more options" underneath.
        listenallyall 3y ago
        I'd like to see that page, because there's no quick book on the hotel I was referencing, but there are 9 distinct rates for the specific room type on specific dates, plus another button which allows for AAA rates, AARP rates, Travel agent rates, Senior rates, Government rates, plus corporate, group or promo codes. The point is, price discrimination and obfuscation is an integral part of hotel revenue maximization strategy. The premise that they guarantee a "best rate" is a largely empty one.
        lotsofpulp 3y ago
        This is what I see. The screen right after you select the room type and reservation terms has the total clearly listed. I do not feel like I was "hoodwinked" or "led on", on the previous pages it clearly says there will be resort charges, and prices are almost always excluding tax in the US. https://imgur.com/a/quVPzWX https://imgur.com/a/quVPzWX >The premise that they guarantee a "best rate" is a largely empty one. I have never found a hotel room as cheap as the rewards member pricing from a third party, and that is what a guarantee is. Does not seem empty to me, they deliver what they promise, and being a rewards member is free, and zero cost since they already have all your information anyway.
        listenallyall 3y ago
        LOL, want to "quick book"? It's only an extra $30/night above other rates, but hey, its "quick."

lotsofpulp 3y ago

Offering choices is not obfuscating the price. Member pricing requires you to login because of their arrangements with third party sellers requiring them to not “publicly” advertise lower prices. And as soon as you choose a room type, Hilton shows you the total price. Perhaps not the best they could do, but not worth complaining about in my opinion. Parking is often not included or desired, so it makes no sense to include that in the price, but it is listed prominently on the final page.

listenallyall 3y ago
> And as soon as you choose a room type, Hilton shows you the total price No, it shows you 9 possible per-night prices, with a small note underneath about resort fee and tax. You'd have to select one to get to the total price, and you still have to figure out some confusing terms... what is "semi-flex" rate? Which is better, deluxe mountain view or a premium mountain view? And of course, the prices might all be different if you visit the site next week.
- lotsofpulp 3y ago
  In the app, there is a “quick book” option, above the “more rates” option. Quick book option is the cancelable reservation with typical terms. It seems pretty easy for those that want a straightforward reservation to choose quick book, and for those that want more nuance, to choose more rates and figure out what they want.
  - listenallyall 3y ago
    > In the app We were talking about websites
    - lotsofpulp 3y ago
      Yes, sorry, I was not near computer to be able to compare. I assumed the options are similar on the website. Edit: The website shows the same options as the app, a "quick book" price and "more options" underneath.
      - listenallyall 3y ago
        I'd like to see that page, because there's no quick book on the hotel I was referencing, but there are 9 distinct rates for the specific room type on specific dates, plus another button which allows for AAA rates, AARP rates, Travel agent rates, Senior rates, Government rates, plus corporate, group or promo codes. The point is, price discrimination and obfuscation is an integral part of hotel revenue maximization strategy. The premise that they guarantee a "best rate" is a largely empty one.
        lotsofpulp 3y ago
        This is what I see. The screen right after you select the room type and reservation terms has the total clearly listed. I do not feel like I was "hoodwinked" or "led on", on the previous pages it clearly says there will be resort charges, and prices are almost always excluding tax in the US. https://imgur.com/a/quVPzWX https://imgur.com/a/quVPzWX >The premise that they guarantee a "best rate" is a largely empty one. I have never found a hotel room as cheap as the rewards member pricing from a third party, and that is what a guarantee is. Does not seem empty to me, they deliver what they promise, and being a rewards member is free, and zero cost since they already have all your information anyway.
        listenallyall 3y ago
        LOL, want to "quick book"? It's only an extra $30/night above other rates, but hey, its "quick."