Be careful when grabbing discounts—make sure to read the booking site’s policies clearly.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Many independent travelers use hotel booking websites to find deals and compare prices. Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are commonly used international booking sites. However, if you need to cancel your reservation due to personal, weather, or political emergencies, you may be charged a fee, and it can be very difficult to appeal to the service provider. In such cases, both your rights as a traveler and the value of the discounted price can take a big hit.

According to consumer protection officials, between 2014 and July 2016, there were a total of 164 complaints related to bookings made on the four major international hotel booking websites. Of these, 98 cases involved disputes over cancellation fees. Other issues included unilateral cancellations by providers, incorrect pricing on the websites, duplicate charges, and disputes over lowest-price guarantees.

Regarding pricing, except for Booking.com, which displays room rates inclusive of taxes, the other three booking websites may not include taxes and service fees in their listed prices. Cancellation policies also vary—for example, Agoda charges an additional $15 handling fee for cancellations. Travelers should carefully read the website’s policies on fees and cancellations to protect their own rights.

Consumer protection officials remind travelers that if you book domestic accommodations through an international booking website and a dispute arises, you can file a complaint with the domestic accommodation provider. However, if the dispute involves a foreign hotel booked through an agent, it is currently difficult to file an effective complaint against the website. Furthermore, since these booking websites do not have service centers in Taiwan, travelers may find themselves with nowhere to turn. It is advised to read the relevant policies carefully before making a reservation to ensure a smoother trip.