resort booking price match

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Resort Booking Price Match



Resort Booking Price Match: Your Guide to Scoring the Best Deals

Planning a resort vacation can be exciting, but it can also be daunting when trying to find the best possible price. Fortunately, many resorts and online travel agencies (OTAs) offer a price match guarantee, also known as a best price guarantee. This policy ensures that you can book with confidence, knowing that if you find a lower price elsewhere, the resort or OTA will match it or even beat it. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricacies of resort booking price match policies, explaining how they work, what to look for, and how to take advantage of them to save money on your next vacation.

Understanding Resort Price Match Guarantees

A resort price match guarantee is a promise from a resort or OTA to offer you the lowest possible price for your stay. If you find a lower price for the same resort, room type, dates, and inclusions on another website, the resort or OTA with the price match guarantee will typically match that price. Some even go a step further and offer an additional discount or incentive to keep your business. The primary goal of these policies is to encourage customers to book directly with the resort or through a specific OTA, fostering customer loyalty and reducing reliance on competitors.

Why Do Resorts Offer Price Match Guarantees?

Resorts offer price match guarantees for several key reasons. Firstly, they want to incentivize travelers to book directly with them. When you book directly, the resort avoids paying commission fees to OTAs, allowing them to retain more of the revenue. Secondly, price match guarantees help resorts maintain control over their pricing and brand image. By ensuring they offer the most competitive prices, they can attract more customers and prevent competitors from undercutting them. Finally, these guarantees build trust and confidence with potential guests. Knowing that you’re getting the best possible deal can significantly influence your booking decision.

What are the Key Components of a Price Match Policy?

Understanding the key components of a price match policy is crucial to successfully leveraging it. Here are the most important factors to consider:

  • Eligibility: Determine who is eligible for the price match guarantee. Some policies may only apply to residents of certain countries or members of specific loyalty programs.
  • Qualifying Websites: Identify which websites are considered eligible for price matching. Typically, reputable OTAs and competitor resort websites are included. Websites that are known for offering opaque deals or discounted rates through membership programs may not be eligible.
  • Same Room Type and Dates: Ensure that the lower price you found is for the exact same room type, dates of stay, and number of guests as your original booking. This is a fundamental requirement for most price match policies.
  • Inclusions: Compare the inclusions of the two offers. The price match guarantee typically applies only if the offers have the same inclusions, such as breakfast, Wi-Fi, resort credits, or airport transfers.
  • Availability: The lower price must be currently available and bookable at the time you submit your price match claim. Screenshots or expired offers are usually not accepted.
  • Taxes and Fees: Understand whether the price match guarantee includes taxes and fees. Some policies only match the base rate, while others match the total price, including taxes and fees.
  • Claim Process: Familiarize yourself with the claim process. Most resorts and OTAs require you to submit a claim form with supporting documentation, such as a screenshot of the lower price and the website URL.
  • Time Limit: Be aware of the time limit for submitting a price match claim. Some policies require you to submit the claim within 24 hours of making your booking, while others may allow up to 72 hours.
  • Exclusions: Check for any exclusions in the price match policy. Common exclusions include package deals, group rates, member-only rates, and prices offered through opaque booking channels.

How to Find Lower Prices for Your Resort Stay

The key to successfully using a price match guarantee is to find a lower price for your resort stay. Here are some effective strategies for finding the best deals:

Use Multiple Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

OTAs aggregate prices from various resorts and hotels, making it easy to compare prices and find the best deals. Popular OTAs include Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Priceline. Search for your desired resort and dates on multiple OTAs to see if there are any price discrepancies.

Check the Resort’s Official Website

Always check the resort’s official website directly. Sometimes, resorts offer exclusive deals or promotions that are not available on OTAs. Additionally, if you find a lower price on an OTA, the resort’s official website is the best place to claim the price match guarantee.

Utilize Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites, such as Kayak, Google Hotels, and Trivago, allow you to compare prices from multiple OTAs and resort websites simultaneously. These websites can save you time and effort by quickly identifying the lowest available prices.

Be Flexible with Your Dates

If your travel dates are flexible, try searching for different dates to see if you can find lower prices. Midweek stays, off-season travel, and shoulder season travel often offer better deals than peak season travel.

Consider Package Deals

Sometimes, booking a package deal that includes flights, hotel, and other amenities can be cheaper than booking each component separately. However, be aware that package deals are often excluded from price match guarantees.

Sign Up for Email Alerts and Loyalty Programs

Sign up for email alerts from OTAs and resorts to receive notifications about special deals and promotions. Joining resort loyalty programs can also unlock exclusive discounts and benefits.

Use Social Media

Follow resorts and OTAs on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They often announce flash sales and exclusive deals to their followers.

Look for Last-Minute Deals

If you’re booking close to your travel dates, you may be able to find last-minute deals on unsold rooms. However, availability may be limited, so be prepared to be flexible.

How to Claim a Price Match Guarantee

Once you’ve found a lower price for your resort stay, the next step is to claim the price match guarantee. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Review the Price Match Policy

Carefully review the price match policy of the resort or OTA you booked with. Ensure that the lower price you found meets all the eligibility requirements, such as same room type, dates, inclusions, and qualifying website.

Step 2: Gather Supporting Documentation

Gather all the necessary supporting documentation to support your claim. This typically includes:

  • Screenshot of the Lower Price: Take a screenshot of the lower price you found on the competitor website. Make sure the screenshot includes the website URL, resort name, room type, dates of stay, and total price.
  • Website URL: Note the exact URL of the page where you found the lower price.
  • Your Booking Confirmation: Have your booking confirmation readily available, which includes your reservation number, resort name, dates of stay, and room type.

Step 3: Contact the Resort or OTA

Contact the resort or OTA’s customer service department to initiate your price match claim. Most resorts and OTAs have a dedicated phone number or email address for price match requests. Some may also have an online claim form that you can fill out.

Step 4: Submit Your Claim

When contacting customer service, clearly explain that you are requesting a price match guarantee. Provide them with all the necessary information, including your booking confirmation number, the lower price you found, the website URL, and the supporting documentation. Be prepared to answer any questions they may have.

Step 5: Follow Up

If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, follow up with the resort or OTA to check on the status of your claim. Be polite but persistent.

Step 6: Review the Outcome

Once your claim is approved, the resort or OTA will typically adjust your rate to match the lower price. They may also offer an additional discount or incentive. Review the outcome carefully to ensure that the price adjustment is accurate.

Common Reasons for Price Match Claim Denials

Unfortunately, not all price match claims are approved. Here are some common reasons why your claim might be denied:

  • The Lower Price is Not Available: The lower price you found is no longer available at the time of claim processing.
  • The Room Type or Dates Don’t Match: The lower price is for a different room type or dates of stay than your original booking.
  • The Inclusions Don’t Match: The lower price does not include the same inclusions as your original booking, such as breakfast or Wi-Fi.
  • The Website is Not Eligible: The website where you found the lower price is not considered a qualifying website for price matching.
  • The Price is Not Verifiable: The resort or OTA is unable to verify the lower price you found.
  • The Claim is Submitted After the Time Limit: You submitted the price match claim after the time limit specified in the policy.
  • The Price is Part of a Package Deal or Group Rate: The lower price is part of a package deal, group rate, or member-only rate, which is excluded from the price match guarantee.

If your claim is denied, carefully review the reason for denial and see if you can address any of the issues. For example, if the lower price is no longer available, you can try searching for another lower price. If the website is not eligible, you can try finding a lower price on a qualifying website.

Tips for a Successful Price Match Claim

To increase your chances of a successful price match claim, consider these tips:

  • Book Directly with the Resort or OTA: Booking directly with the resort or OTA often increases your chances of a successful price match claim, as they are more likely to want to keep your business.
  • Take Screenshots Immediately: As soon as you find a lower price, take a screenshot immediately. Prices can change quickly, so it’s important to capture the offer while it’s still available.
  • Read the Fine Print: Carefully read the terms and conditions of the price match policy before submitting your claim. This will help you understand the eligibility requirements and any exclusions.
  • Be Polite and Professional: When contacting customer service, be polite and professional. Explain your situation clearly and provide all the necessary information.
  • Be Persistent: If your claim is initially denied, don’t give up. Follow up with the resort or OTA and try to address any issues they may have.
  • Document Everything: Keep a record of all your communications with the resort or OTA, including emails, phone calls, and chat transcripts. This can be helpful if you need to escalate your claim.
  • Consider Joining a Loyalty Program: Some loyalty programs offer enhanced price match guarantees or other benefits that can increase your chances of success.

Examples of Resort Price Match Policies

Many major resort chains and OTAs offer price match guarantees. Here are a few examples:

Marriott’s Look No Further® Best Rate Guarantee

Marriott’s Look No Further® Best Rate Guarantee promises that you’ll always get the best price when you book directly on Marriott.com. If you find a lower rate for the same hotel, room type, and dates within 24 hours of booking, Marriott will match the rate and give you an additional 25% discount or 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee

Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee ensures that you’ll get the lowest price when you book directly on Hilton.com. If you find a lower publicly available rate for the same hotel, room type, and dates within 24 hours of booking, Hilton will match the rate and give you an additional 25% discount.

IHG’s Best Price Guarantee

IHG’s Best Price Guarantee promises that you’ll get the best price when you book directly on IHG.com. If you find a lower rate for the same hotel, room type, and dates within 24 hours of booking, IHG will match the rate and give you 5x IHG One Rewards points, up to a maximum of 40,000 points.

Expedia’s Price Guarantee

Expedia’s Price Guarantee is offered on certain hotel bookings. If you find a lower price for the same hotel, room type, and dates within 24 hours of booking, Expedia will refund the difference.

Booking.com’s Price Match Guarantee

Booking.com also offers a price match guarantee on certain hotel bookings. If you find a lower price for the same hotel, room type, and dates after you’ve booked, Booking.com will match the price.

These are just a few examples, and many other resorts and OTAs offer similar price match guarantees. Be sure to check the specific terms and conditions of each policy before booking.

Alternatives to Price Match Guarantees

While price match guarantees can be a great way to save money on your resort stay, there are also other alternatives to consider:

Loyalty Programs

Joining a resort loyalty program can unlock exclusive discounts, free nights, and other benefits. Loyalty programs often offer lower rates to members than what’s available to the general public.

Flash Sales and Promotions

Keep an eye out for flash sales and promotions offered by resorts and OTAs. These sales can offer significant discounts on resort stays, but they often have limited availability.

Travel Credit Cards

Using a travel credit card can earn you rewards points or miles that you can redeem for free travel. Some travel credit cards also offer travel insurance and other benefits.

Negotiating with the Resort

Sometimes, you can negotiate a lower rate directly with the resort. This is especially effective if you’re booking a long stay or traveling during the off-season.

Using Discount Codes

Search online for discount codes that you can use when booking your resort stay. Many websites offer discount codes for various resorts and OTAs.

Conclusion

Resort booking price match guarantees can be a valuable tool for saving money on your next vacation. By understanding how these policies work and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of finding the best possible deal. Remember to shop around, compare prices, and don’t hesitate to claim a price match if you find a lower price elsewhere. With a little effort, you can enjoy a luxurious resort stay without breaking the bank. Happy travels!