AITO advises consumers: Beware of potential price hikes via the back door

Feb. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- AITO reports that those booking direct with some hotel booking sites for holidays overseas face higher-than-anticipated prices due to the so-called ‘indicative exchange rates’ quoted by the accommodation booking sites concerned.

Says Derek Moore, AITO’s Chairman:  “Such websites quote ‘indicative exchange rates’ to give customers a ball-park price as to what they will pay the hotel when they are at their destination; these indicative exchange rates are quoted in the sterling equivalent of the local currency and seem, on the face of it, to be a useful guideline.  However, such rates tend to err on the positive side – and the rate that your credit card company is likely to charge you could be very different, and certainly not in your favour.  

“You’ll then also be faced with the credit card company’s charge for converting currency – a double hit which will, typically, add 3% to 4% to your bill.  This can be further aggravated by a change in the exchange rate between the time of booking and when checking out of your accommodation.

“AITO’s advice?  Book with a UK tour operator, and thus pay in sterling – you’ll know precisely what price you’ll be paying, and it’s quite likely to be cheaper than the price you would have paid locally, direct to the hotel – absolutely the opposite of what many believe to be the case.”

AITO is an alliance of 120-plus smaller, specialist holiday companies, all of which comply with AITO’s Quality Charter and which each undertake to offer full financial protection to their customers. AITO members also abide by AITO’s Sustainable Tourism guidelines, aimed at safeguarding the destinations that AITO members serve for future generations to enjoy.

See www.aito.com for more information on AITO and its members.

Ends / 27th February, 2013

Press:  For further information on AITO, or to interview AITO’s Chairman, Derek Moore, or one of its Directors, please contact Sue Ockwell at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440/07831 126 356, email s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk.