Las Vegas Hilton Price Error
A viewer of our MtM Vegas show, Keith, reached out this week with an issue they were seeing at some Las Vegas Hilton properties. Keith has noticed a Las Vegas Hilton price error at Resorts World and Virgin Hotels, the two newest Vegas Hilton properties. It didn’t seem to be showing up at any of the many other Las Vegas Hilton properties. The issue is the best rates are kind of hidden and people that are not paying close attention could be spending hundreds of dollars more on their stay.
Las Vegas Hilton Price Error Details
Normally, when you go to book a Hilton hotel it will show the best available price for a cancellable booking to you in the quick book box. It may leave out the best rate if it is non refundable but it is always filled with the best price from a cancellable rate.
It does this for other hotels in Las Vegas but not for Resorts World and Virgin Hotels. Here is what it looks like at other properties:
But with Resorts World and Virgin Hotels it is pulling the best normal cancellable rate but not their special “promo” rates. This could cause people to pay more that are not paying close attention or assume the better rate is for a non refundable room. It doesn’t even list the best rate in the more rates box. On top of that the best / promo rate is buried way at the bottom when you click through.
Notice the more rates from $253 (not the $220 you will find). This more rates box also appears when there are lower non refundable or semi-flex rates. But this is what you see when you click more rates:
Notice that Resort Exclusive rate at the very bottom. It has the same cancellation terms, 1 night before occupancy, as the flexible rate. But it is hidden at the bottom and it is not in the quick book box. This is in fact the best flexible booking rate and should show there and on searches.
Why I Think This Is Bad IT & Not Treachery
Keith had wondered if this was a way to trick people. They could then fight any best rate guarantees and also could have people booking into more expensive rates in error. I don’t think that is the case though. I think it is more shoddy IT instead. But, if you do notice in the image above that Expedia is able to produce the proper rate on searches.
The fact that this rate doesn’t show on the initial search page is bad for the hotels in question. People may book other Hilton hotels, or other hotels outside of the Hilton brand all together, because it doesn’t properly show their best rate. I wouldn’t sit there and click through all of these to see if what they are showing is actually the best price. And I doubt that is what Hilton, or these hotels in particular, want to happen.
Las Vegas Hilton Price Error – Final Thoughts
This just goes to show that if you want to book a particular property be sure to look at all rates. Don’t assume the one the hotel website initially shows you is the best one for you. There are often semi flex or non refundable rates that are better too which can make sense if booking a few days out etc. But, there will often be promos that hotels will bury at the bottom that may be of interest to you too, like the Hyatt golf package.
This is a bit different though in my opinion. This isn’t a package deal it is a sale on a fully refundable room and it should be shown on searches and be the quick book option. The fact that it isn’t will likely cost people money because they just won’t be paying close attention or they won’t know better. Hopefully it gets corrected soon.
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Yeah this is something I’ve noticed across the board and not just with Hilton. Up until a year ago about, this wasn’t ever an issue but nowadays I never just click the button on the app and usually check the rates to see alternative rates. I think this is a great tip because for people who don’t have elite status, the breakfast included rate could be a great value and there’s sometimes a parking rate and that’s also great.
I’ve found the same can be true can be found in other cities. I just checked the Hilton LAX and I think it always displays the honors rate on top and may display cheaper rates in the button below if your on the mobile app. But I think it isn’t always true that there are cheaper rates because I don’t always see the Semi Flex rate or the non refundable rate available. But those rates can come in handy but I wouldn’t ever book the non refundable rate since it can’t be changed.