One of the reasons I continue to write a free daily travel tip newsletter is because I am compelled to help travelers save money, have a smoother experience and stay safe. There’s so much information out there that a weekly newsletter just doesn’t cut it. I try to keep readers up-to-date daily on the latest travel news and tips to help them be smarter, savvier travelers.
Thanks to Dawn Gilbertson of the Wall Street Journal, I just learned of something travelers need to know about involving copycat hotel websites. While I’ve long known that it’s usually best to book directly with a hotel and avoid Googling a hotel or airline name (since fraudsters often buy sponsored spots on Google that appear at the top), I didn’t realize just how deceptive some of these sites can be. Some companies create URLs that mimic official hotel websites, making it seem like you’re booking directly when, in fact, you’re not.
By booking through these third-party sites, you’re not only missing out on perks like free Wi-Fi and hotel points, but you’re also paying inflated prices.
In the Wall Street Journal article, Gilbertson gives an example that hit close to home, writing: “Consider a two-night stay at the modest but steps-from-the-beach Grandview Inn in Hermosa Beach, Calif., for Mother’s Day weekend. Book a room on the official-sounding grandviewinn.guestreservations.com link Google serves up, and you’ll pay $748.61 all in. The total price for the stay on the hotel’s website: $568.”
As Dawn points out, the problem with these reseller sites is that they don’t always make it clear they’re third-party companies. Regulators have flagged some of their practices as deceptive and travelers often miss the hefty added fees when they’re in a rush to book.
Zubin Patel, the manager of the Grandview Inn, shared his frustration: “All they do is basically mark up our prices.” He added that guests have arrived at the front desk upset, realizing they’ve paid more than the current price on the hotel’s official website. They insist they booked directly when in fact, they didn’t.
This isn’t just a problem at small inns; it happens at all types of hotels, including luxury chains like the Four Seasons. Gilbertson even pointed out an example of the Four Seasons Austin, which I decided to Google myself and sure enough, there it was. See the screenshot below.
Tips to Avoid Copycat Hotel Websites
It’s easy to mistake these fraudulent sites for official hotel websites, especially if you’re not paying close attention. So, how can you avoid getting taken advantage of? Here are some tips:
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Book directly: Always visit the hotel’s official website and book through their secure platform.
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Double-check the URL: Ensure the website address matches the hotel’s name exactly. Avoid third-party sites that don’t clearly state they are resellers.
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Look for signs of a scam: If the website has hidden fees or a price that’s much higher than the official hotel price, it’s a red flag.
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Use reputable travel platforms: If you need a third-party booking site, stick to well-known platforms like Expedia or Booking.com, which are transparent about their pricing.
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Call the hotel: If you’re unsure about a booking site, call the hotel directly to confirm rates and availability.
By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can avoid being duped by copycat hotel websites and ensure you’re always booking directly for the best deal.
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The copycat web sites are misrepresenting themselves and are committing consumer fraud. Misrepresentation damages the consumer and is illegal under most State Consumer Fraud Acts. I don’t understand why they are not removed and the perpetrators penalized.The worst offender is guestreservations, whose URL looks like the legitimate reservation department of the hotel being looked up and whose site always appears first under hotel search engines. The irony is that it is run not by some Russian criminal but by a local religious person with deep pockets who also runs aish.com, a legitimate and edifying site.