Hotelgiftcard creates surprising expenses for consumers

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In 2026, a Dutch consumer protection investigation TV show Radar found that using a giftcard from Hotelgiftcard.com created surprisingly expensive hotel prices compared to not using any giftcard, with price increases up to 700 euros.^[1]

Background

A bunch of consumers reported the extortionate prices with giftcards from hotelgiftcard.com to Radar. Reports such as: "It was a real drama to book a hotel with this gift card. There wasn't much choice and everything was much more expensive than on websites like Booking.com or on the hotels' own sites."^[1]

Investigation about acceptable price differences

A consumer protection investigation found that Hotelgiftcard increases hotel prices to levels that the consumer report said they found unacceptable.^[1]

Hotelgiftcard's response

The company responded officially by saying:

As Hotelgiftcard.com we use Expedia Partner Solutions, a platform that is also used by other providers at internally and abroad. The prices displayed on our website are provided directly by this system. We have no influence on the rates, offers or discounts shown there, apart from fixed booking fees that we charge.^[2]

To explain why it was even possible to see such a large price increase, they stated:

Hotel prices are set dynamically through Expedia Partner Solutions and may vary based on factors such as availability, supply and demand, time of booking, and specific policies (e.g., room type or cancellation option). In our own routine price checks, we see that our prices - apart from booking fees - match those of Expedia, which are in line with market conditions for booking platforms.^[2]

Radar asked follow-up questions about why someone would even use their product if the prices with a gift card are more expensive than without. The company responded with:

Hotelgiftcard.com does not distinguish itself from other well-known booking platforms in terms of content. Using an intermediary platform for booking accommodations is a common and widely accepted way of booking. Consumers have a direct overview of the total price (including booking costs) and can easily compare accommodations. Through our partnership with Expedia, we are able to offer a global network of properties at competitive prices (in line with this renowned platform), so cardholders can go to a wide range of destinations. We also refer to our earlier explanation of our working method regarding pricing.

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.^[2]

Expedia's response

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'.^[2]

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:

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. Expedia Group does not set the rates listed on Expedia for its hotel partners.^[2]

Lawsuit

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Consumer response

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References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Radar onderzoekt: overnachting duurder mét Hotelgiftcard dan zonder". Radar (in Nederlands). 2 Feb 2026. Archived from the original on 3 Feb 2026. Retrieved 28 Mar 2026.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 "Reacties Hotelgiftcard en Expedia". Radar (in Nederlands). 2 Feb 2026. Archived from the original on 28 Mar 2026. Retrieved 28 Mar 2026.

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[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Radar onderzoekt: overnachting duurder mét Hotelgiftcard dan zonder". Radar (in Nederlands). 2 Feb 2026. Archived from the original on 3 Feb 2026. Retrieved 28 Mar 2026.

[:1-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 "Reacties Hotelgiftcard en Expedia". Radar (in Nederlands). 2 Feb 2026. Archived from the original on 28 Mar 2026. Retrieved 28 Mar 2026.

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