Trivago in trouble [fined $44.7m for misleading advertising]

[codash1099]

Trivago misleads consumers into believing they get the 'best price', ACCC alleges

 

[Lynda2475]

The other problem (not mentioned int he article) is how they often quote prices exclusive of taxes and mandatory fees.

Aggregator sites can be great for getting as feel for what hotels stock is available in particular area, but always wise to then go direct to the properties own website to see what better deal they have, or if your preferred property belongs to a chain with a loyalty program see what further discount that might get you.

 

[jetpack]

It's a nice idea for a business but ultimately useless for getting the lowest priced rooms. If only it can take into account discount codes and loyalty programs eg. stay 10 get 1 free at hotels.com, 16% off code at cheaptickets, 12% off using an amex at agoda, 12% off using a mastercard at expedia, etc.

 

[GSP]

Same as above, use it as a guide and then look to do better.

More importantly, just so long as they don't stop the TV commercials, I'm not concerned.

 

[JohnK]

.... eg. stay 10 get 1 free at hotels.com, 16% off code at cheaptickets, 12% off using an amex at agoda, 12% off using a mastercard at expedia, etc.

Even the discounts can be a little misleading.

Rack rates are totally unrealistic and they all resellers provide 50%, 60% or 70% off rack rate but even that is not enough and they then provide discount codes as well. With Agoda the 12% is misleading in SE Asia as the ++ or +++ is not included in the discount.

 

[SOPOOR]

Saying you get a discount of x% off your room when compared to a totally different room is disgraceful

The fine should be 10x.

 

[FirstClass]

Good Lord People, why doncha just ring the hotel you wanna stay at? This latest trivago ad with the weird kiwi accent makes me wanna do an elvis on my telly... "me 'n' my frinz" indeed...

 

[Archipelago]

Good Lord People, why doncha just ring the hotel you wanna stay at? This latest trivago ad with the weird kiwi accent makes me wanna do an elvis on my telly... "me 'n' my frinz" indeed...

Nice idea, but often the hotels I am booking are in a country and city I may not have traveled to before - and that can trigger some even more colourful accents!

 

[Lynda2475]

Good Lord People, why doncha just ring the hotel you wanna stay at?

I always prefer to book online, rather than on the phone - much more expedient.

Better to book directly on hotel website, than an aggregator site though.

 

[gty222]

I always prefer to book online, rather than on the phone - much more expedient.

Better to book directly on hotel website, than an aggregator site though.

In SE Asia at least, I've found that Traveloka or Agoda usually give better rates than the hotels directly.

 

[dajop]

Good Lord People, why doncha just ring the hotel you wanna stay at?

Last couple of times I've rung, the rate has been quite a bit above what they are selling on their own website. Hotels often provide different inventories at different price levels to different channels. Not to mention that many chain hotels have done away with in-house reservations and you get transferred to central reservations anyway.

Always worth going to hotel website though.

 

[JohnK]

In SE Asia at least, I've found that Traveloka or Agoda usually give better rates than the hotels directly.

That's my experience too although sometimes Booking.com and Expedia have some good deals.

I usually check HotelsCombined for an idea of what's on offer.

 

[JessicaTam]

[bump]

Trivago misled Australian customers on hotel pricing, court finds

Travel website didn’t show the cheapest deals for rooms but promoted advertisers who paid the biggest fees

www.theguardian.com

 

[Isochronous]

[bump]

Trivago misled Australian customers on hotel pricing, court finds

Travel website didn’t show the cheapest deals for rooms but promoted advertisers who paid the biggest fees

www.theguardian.com

Good to see the justice system in action - hopefully they are forced to pay a large damages bill/fine too.

 

[Pushka]

Excellent. Does that ad they are frantically pumping annoy anyone else? Honestly I want to do awful things to both of the main leads.

 

[cove]

Who woulda guessed About Trivago .......time for users to claim any losses.....There used to be WTF which was Wotifs stock market code before they were taken over.....interestingly the acquirer increased their commissions so I went ...wtf....
Now Meriton was fined but that is a different story....

 

[p--and--t]

Even the TV ad is totally misleading.

$120 in the "gold card" might be for a penthouse 2 room suite upgrade with breakfast and club room access and points and the $95 for run of house single room only.

Apples and oranges.

 

[boomy]

Most decent chains have best price guarantee. Check with whatever website you want but always end up booking directly with the hotel. It’s safest and often cheapest option.

 

[cove]

Yes boomy I agree with you. I do like to get loyalty points and a good price.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Yes that advert annoys me, the cheaper price doesn’t usually get points or free wifi or free water or even breakfast.