Hotels booked through third party web sites, (wotif)

[FrequentFlyer7]

I recently joined 'Priority Guest Rewards' as my wife and I are traveling to OS for a couple of weeks, and planned on staying at Rydges Hotels. After making the booking via a third party web site, (wotif), I contacted the hotel to have them add my PGR membership number. I was surprised to receive a response from the hotel stating that I would not receive any points or benefits as the booking was not made with them direct. Can anyone tell me if this policy also applies to bookings in Australia, or only OS. Nothing was mentioned about this when I joined PGR, although I admit it didn't read the terms and conditions, (who does). Has anyone had any similar experiences?

 

[mannej]

This is standard for most hotel reward programs.

 

[FrequentFlyer7]

This is standard for most hotel reward programs.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. I've never bothered with rewards programs in the past. I think I 'll go back to shopping around for the best deal from now on. I still have a few bookings to make for this trip, so it looks like I now have a bit more flexibility with the hotels I chose.

 

[stoney]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. I've never bothered with rewards programs in the past. I think I 'll go back to shopping around for the best deal from now on. I still have a few bookings to make for this trip, so it looks like I now have a bit more flexibility with the hotels I chose.

There is no free lunch! I get one, so called “Free Night” with every ten bookings, roughly 10% discount by using Bookings.com but I recon it must be factored in somehow.

 

[muppet]

Nothing was mentioned about this when I joined PGR, although I admit it didn't read the terms and conditions, (who does). Has anyone had any similar experiences?

You didn’t need to read the terms and conditions, just the very front page right about where you signed up (see below, nicely underlined in red).

I personally get great value from this chain when needing a clean room and nothing fancy - it makes a stay so cheap as a black with 1 in 8 nights free.

The no external booking is for good reason, hotels pay absurdly high commissions to the likes of booking.com wotif.com etc. up to 25% for small hotels with no bargaining power. By booking direct they can direct those savings to us.

 

[FrequentFlyer7]

You didn’t need to read the terms and conditions, just the very front page right about where you signed up (see below, nicely underlined in red).

I personally get great value from this chain when needing a clean room and nothing fancy - it makes a stay so cheap as a black with 1 in 8 nights free.

The no external booking is for good reason, hotels pay absurdly high commissions to the likes of booking.com wotif.com etc. up to 25% for small hotels with no bargaining power. By booking direct they can direct those savings to us.

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I saw that when I joined up, but interpreted it differently to you. When I read everything, it stated that you got 10% discount if you booked direct. I didn't think it meant that you had to book direct under the rewards program. Not to worry, you learn something new every day. I'll know next time I book if I use the PGR chain. I got a good price in any case, and the hotel looks good, so I'm not unhappy about missing out on a few points.