Website hotel deals not such a bargain

The Sun-Herald last week found accommodation outlets offered the same prices as those on "discount" websites including wotif.com and lastminute.com that advertise savings of up to 70 per cent".

As the internet companies charge a non-refundable booking fee of up to $5.50, the online deals end up being more expensive than rooms booked directly by phone.

Some hotels and resorts whose prices were higher than the internet deals on the same rooms offered to match the online price when asked why the internet price was lower.

Accommodation outlets give a "live allotment" of deals to the online operators and guarantee them the availability of the rooms. To confirm online bookings, customers must pre-pay by credit card.

Wotif.com's spokeswoman, Megan Magill, said last week "accommodation partners" could list their deals on the site at no charge and enjoy free marketing, access to our customers and financial services. Ms Magill said the company received a small commission from each successful booking.

The outlets managed the allocation and could take rooms back if they chose or if they hadn't sold online, she said.

Discounts vary depending on seasons, regions and availability but it is possible to save up to 70 per cent by booking on Wotif.com, she said. As part of the agreement with our accommodation partners, they must list their best possible deals with Wotif.com.

Depending on the hotels' policy, some online bookings cannot be changed and others incur a charge for changes or cancellations.

When The Sun-Herald anonymously compared online prices to those offered directly, we found identical costs for some rooms at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Aqua Vista Resort at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast and the Sebel Cairns in north Queensland.

Other hotels said they would match online prices.