Hotelgiftcard creates surprising expenses for consumers: Difference between revisions
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|Description=Using a giftcard from Hotelgiftcard was found to create surprisingly expensive hotel prices than not using any giftcard for consumers using them. | |Description=Using a giftcard from Hotelgiftcard was found to create surprisingly expensive hotel prices than not using any giftcard for consumers using them. | ||
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In 2026, a Dutch consumer protection investigation TV show [https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_(consumentenprogramma) Radar] found that using a giftcard from [https://www.hotelgiftcard.com/en-us/ Hotelgiftcard.com] created surprisingly expensive hotel prices compared to not using any giftcard, with price | In 2026, a Dutch consumer protection investigation TV show [https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_(consumentenprogramma) Radar] found that using a giftcard from [https://www.hotelgiftcard.com/en-us/ Hotelgiftcard.com] created surprisingly expensive hotel prices compared to not using any giftcard, with price increases up to 700 euros.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 Feb 2026 |title=Radar onderzoekt: overnachting duurder mét Hotelgiftcard dan zonder |url=https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/radar-onderzoekt-overnachting-duurder-met-hotelgiftcard-dan-zonder-62316 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203130545/https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/radar-onderzoekt-overnachting-duurder-met-hotelgiftcard-dan-zonder-62316 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026 |access-date=28 Mar 2026 |website=Radar |language=nl}}</ref> | ||
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They further stated that it is widely known that giftcards don't decrease prices, and that noted again that their pricing system is correct, comes from their partner, Expedia themselves, and benefits the consumer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2 Feb 2026 |title=Reacties Hotelgiftcard en Expedia |url=https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/reacties-hotelgiftcard-en-expedia-62320 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260328155357/https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/reacties-hotelgiftcard-en-expedia-62320 |archive-date=28 Mar 2026 |access-date=28 Mar 2026 |website=Radar |language=nl}}</ref> | They further stated that it is widely known that giftcards don't decrease prices, and that noted again that their pricing system is correct, comes from their partner, Expedia themselves, and benefits the consumer.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2 Feb 2026 |title=Reacties Hotelgiftcard en Expedia |url=https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/reacties-hotelgiftcard-en-expedia-62320 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260328155357/https://radar.avrotros.nl/artikel/reacties-hotelgiftcard-en-expedia-62320 |archive-date=28 Mar 2026 |access-date=28 Mar 2026 |website=Radar |language=nl}}</ref> | ||
=== Expedia's response === | ===Expedia's response=== | ||
<blockquote>Hotel partners set their own rates within the Expedia Group Partner Portal. These rates may differ from the rates on the hotel's website at our discretion. The fares displayed on Hotelgiftcard.com correspond to those on Expedia.com and include all mandatory taxes and fees for Dutch travelers. Hotelgiftcard.com also adds service fees for processing, secure payment processing, and booking brokerage. Travellers will see this charge in the price breakdown before checkout as 'Affiliate Service Charge'.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote> | <blockquote>Hotel partners set their own rates within the Expedia Group Partner Portal. These rates may differ from the rates on the hotel's website at our discretion. The fares displayed on Hotelgiftcard.com correspond to those on Expedia.com and include all mandatory taxes and fees for Dutch travelers. Hotelgiftcard.com also adds service fees for processing, secure payment processing, and booking brokerage. Travellers will see this charge in the price breakdown before checkout as 'Affiliate Service Charge'.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote> | ||
After this, Radar asked follow-up questions about the price differences between the hotels and Expedia, instead of between Expedia and Hotelgiftcard. They received the following response: | After this, Radar asked follow-up questions about the price differences between the hotels and Expedia, instead of between Expedia and Hotelgiftcard. They received the following response: | ||