For two decades there was never really any secret in terms of how to get travel discounts online, for it was once an easy task. Simply log on to Expedia, Orbitz or any of the other most prominent booking engines and take your pick. There was really no catch to any of this process either; you got the best products and services at the best possible price every, single time. Suppliers and operators were more than happy to avail of these extra avenues for filling their vacant hotel rooms, especially at the last minute, and the process itself was so convenient it left potential guests with no good reason not to utilize their services.
How to get travel discounts online
In fact, the presence of travel discounts online continued to increase for many years, as did the actual percentage of these offers. More and more, new travel booking engines found their way into the market and this did nothing other than make it easier for customers to find the best deals.
Old ways and new beginnings
However, it has long been known that history repeats itself within every industry or market, and the online travel industry is no different. Hugely popular and common place prior to the arrival of the internet, Travel Clubs were once the main and only source of travel discounts. In return for a small membership fee, these membership clubs negotiated special rates with suppliers and offered these amazing deals back to their members in what is called a “Closed User Group”. In many ways, these were no different to a traditional booking engine from a few years ago in that they offered large discounts with no catch.
Interestingly, these travel membership clubs were overshadowed by the emergence of the online world and in particular, booking engines. But as mentioned, history does repeat itself and in light of a new law introduced to the market called “Rate parity”, these travel clubs are now re-emerging as the best and only way to find travel discounts.
Rate Parity and Travel membership clubs
Rate Parity is a new law which essentially disallows the traditional booking engines from advertising reduced prices across their channels of distribution or in simple English, they no longer offer discounts of any kind. This may sound very significant but that’s because it is and if you check any of these booking engines against each other, you will quickly find the prices are the same across the board.
Naturally this means the consumer is offered no real value from a traditional booking engine other than convenience and for this reason, Travel Membership Clubs are thriving once more. Exempt from the laws of “Rate Parity”, these membership clubs are now offering genuine travel discounts to their members which cannot be found anywhere else online.
Although maybe you need convincing and in such case, you should consider starting a free trial offer with Hotels Etc, the leading Travel Membership Club in North America. With more than 4 million members, 25 years of experience and a five star rating; Hotels Etc is now one of the best and only ways to get travel discounts online.
We expect to find the best travel discounts online and along with convenience, this is the reason we use booking engines as opposed to calling or booking direct with a service provider. Except, maybe you have noticed, the cost of hotel rooms and other travel related services seem to be increasingly expensive and there is a specific reason for this being the case.
Travel discounts and Rate Parity
Introduced recently, a law called “Rate Parity” stipulates travel brands can only advertise one price across all channels of distribution. This effectively means a traditional booking engine simply cannot offer hotel discounts as they have done in the past. Held accountable by this new legislation, the cost of a hotel is the same on a traditional booking engine as they are on a website for the hotel in question.
The truth is out there
Take for example Kayak, one of the largest travel comparison websites in the world. If you perform a quick search for a hotel room on Kayak you will find the cost of a hotel room is the very same across all of the booking engines out there. Why? As mentioned previously, rate parity. This is the same if you check each individual booking engine and compare the price against the website of the actual hotel.
Providing this is the case, you really do need to ask yourself, what is the point of using these booking engines if they offer no genuine value anymore?
Travel membership: The only way to find genuine travel discounts
However, there is thankfully still a way to find the best travel discounts online and this is by searching within a “closed loop program” such as a travel membership club. Rate parity does not apply to membership clubs and for this reason, it is possible to sign up and start finding the travel discounts which were once available on the traditional booking engines.
Simple and effective, travel membership clubs also have a booking engine of their own on which you can search for the best vacation and avail of the best price.
Hotels Etc in North America
Leading the way in North America for more than 25 years, Hotels Etc is a travel membership club with a 5 star reputation and 4 million members. Essentially, this membership program negotiates the best possible rates with service providers in the travel industry and passes them on to their clients. Ranging from 50 – 80%, these are large discounts which far outweigh any decision to sign up for membership and there is also a trial option during which you can verify this value for yourself.
There really is no more to say other than if you want to find the best travel discounts online, you will need to look past the traditional booking engines and start utilizing the incredible advantages of being a member with a travel club such as Hotels Etc.
The world of budget travel can be filled with excitement and appeal, and in our expensive world today traveling on a budget is becoming more necessary if you want to travel at all. It is important to keep costs low when traveling, whether you are traveling solo seeing a foreign country for the first time or a family with your car filled with kids and luggage heading for the beach or an amusement park.
If you want to go the lower cost route while traveling, it is definitely a good plan to generate a travel budget. Determine the approximate costs and prioritize the different portions of your trip, such as hotel, airfare, car rental, visiting attractions and sights, food, and gasoline. Once you have a good idea of what you want to spend on each part of your trip, then you need to begin shopping around for the best deals.
When it comes time for you to formulate a budget for travel, you should first prioritize by deciding what is most important to you and what you can cut back on. For example, while some travelers would rather spend a more on a higher class of accommodations, others would rather save money by staying at lower priced hotels or motels splurge on sightseeing or their food budget for the family.
Once you have prioritized the elements of your trip, begin researching what the best deals are. Often, discounted admission rates on area attractions are the most common and easiest to find, since many theme parks, museums and other attractions run specials to draw tourists.
To get big discounts on local attractions, the best place to start is the Internet, specifically the web site of whatever attraction you want to visit. Often you will find great deals online, such as two-for-one deals, free admission for children, special reduced admission days, even discounts on food and lodging.
There are other ways to get great discounts. If you are in the military, a senior citizen or a member of an organization such as AAA, you will find that there are many discounts available to you. Most AAA offices sell discounted tickets for theme parks, museums and other attractions within driving distance, and most AAA offices sell discounted tickets to popular destinations like the Walt Disney World Resort, too. The secret to making the most of your travel budget is to research and take advantage of any discounts available.
If you plan to drive your car on your trip, make sure you get it services so that it is in good condition before you leave. Something small like under-inflated tires or worn spark plugs or brake pads can affect your gas mileage and increase your fuel budget.
A good tip for keeping your fuel spending under control is to invest in a map of your destination. It will keep you from getting lost and therefore wasting gas. Being able to find your way to and from the hotel or other destinations without trouble will make your vacation less stressful and less costly.
No matter how work to save money on your next vacation, planning a budget and adhering to it will let you enjoy your vacation more, and worry about the costs less.
Travel Discounts Are Now Impossible Without This Crucial Insider Secret
Loganville, Georgia – October 6, 2016 — As of earlier this year, the only way to obtain discounts on hotels and other travel amenities is through what is known as a “Closed Loop Programs” also known as membership clubs. History repeats itself once again and travel clubs are now back because of the change of laws.
Due to recent legislation, the playing field has been leveled between all of the big name online travel agencies (OTAs). The ability of one OTA to undercut the hotel rates of another has been crippled by a series of rulings that affect international rate parity laws. As these laws are being enforced across the travel industry, the only discounts on hotels and other travel amenities that can be legally sold are through “closed loop” membership clubs like Hotels Etc.
As of summer 2015, all rates offered by OTAs are the same from one company to another in accordance with a recently passed Economic Reform Law. There are no longer “deals” available known as “rack rates” and “bar rates” — meaning, literally, if you’ve looked at one OTA website — you’ve looked at them all. That is why OTAs are hustling to purchase other OTAs before it becomes publicly known.
Economic Paradigm Shift
The tide has turned in favor of private brokers like Hotels Etc, as alleged price fixing between powerful OTAs became apparent as more and more class action lawsuits were leveled in the United States and Europe. These powerhouse brokers can no longer set rates as they see fit according to market demand, placing the power back into the hands of hoteliers and the few private membership clubs they choose to work with such as Hotels Etc.
An Industry Leader Set on Quality and Innovation
Hotels Etc CEO Shawn Pigg is a travel industry insider with 11 years at the helm of his company. Mr.Pigg and his team work relentlessly to develop and maintain relationships with businesses in nearly every sector of the travel industry. The “closed loop” system provided by Hotels Etc. allows members to take advantage of tight alliances between the company and providers of overnight accommodations, car rentals, ski packages, group travel, and vacation deals — to the tune of up to 80% in savings.
Hotels Etc. was started in 1996 with the mission of helping families save on travel and enjoy more of what life has to offer. Mr. Pigg was appointed CEO of Hotels Etc. in 2005, and then bought out the entire company and molded it into what it is today — a top tier service provider with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Shawn explains that his objective is to deliver discounts to his members that are not available to the general public through strategic alliances he maintains with his industry partners.
Essentially, Hotels Etc. suppliers pre-purchase inventory on hotel accommodations and other amenities by negotiating wholesale net rates. They then pass those discounts on to their members who simply pay a one-time yearly fee of $99.00. In addition to hotels, participants in this closed loop system enjoy discounts of up to 80% at theme parks, restaurants, golf courses, concerts, movie theaters, fishing destinations, sporting events, and regional tourist attractions.
An Evolving Marketplace
Before the internet, travel clubs were considered cutting edge way to get the inside scoop on huge discounts. They fell out of favor as travel agencies took over then exploded with the Internet as OTAs. The constant demand for better deals, however, has frozen the leverage of OTAs and shifted favor back to the travel club business model with the added bonus of online convenience.
Power in Numbers
Hotels Etc boasts a worldwide customer base of millions of members. In order maintain an A+ BBB rating with a membership of this size the company is dedicated to providing superior customer service to match their product. CEO Shawn Pigg is known to personally handle customer concerns to assure that every last member is 100% satisfied.
Contact:
Media Relations
media@hotelsetc.com
7712 Hampton Place Bld 11C
Loganville, Georgia 30052
Originally published September 21, 2016 | Updated August 2026
One of the smartest ways to save on holiday travel is to compare more than just the first public hotel rate you find. Travelers should compare public rates, eligible private member offers, nearby travel dates, room types, taxes, fees, cancellation policies and the complete booking value before making a reservation.
Holiday travelers can make better booking decisions by comparing public pricing, eligible private member offers and the complete terms of each reservation.
How Can You Save Money on Holiday Travel?
Holiday travel periods can create high demand for hotels, flights, rental cars and other travel services.
The best approach is not to assume that one website, one booking date or one type of rate will always provide the best value.
Instead, travelers should compare several factors:
Public hotel rates
Eligible private member offers
Different travel dates
Nearby destinations or neighborhoods
Equivalent room types
Taxes and fees
Cancellation terms
Refundability
Included amenities
Final checkout price
A little flexibility and a more complete comparison can make a significant difference in the overall cost of a holiday trip.
Start Planning Holiday Travel Early
Popular holiday travel periods can create heavy demand for hotels and other travel services.
Planning early gives travelers more time to compare destinations, travel dates, room types and booking terms before inventory becomes more limited.
Early planning does not guarantee the lowest price. Hotel pricing changes based on demand, occupancy, inventory, destination, events and many other factors.
The advantage of starting early is having more options to evaluate.
Use Flexible Travel Dates When Possible
If your schedule allows it, compare several dates around your preferred holiday travel period.
Changing your arrival or departure by even a day can sometimes produce different hotel availability and pricing.
For example, instead of searching only one Friday-to-Sunday stay, compare nearby combinations such as Thursday-to-Saturday, Saturday-to-Monday or Sunday-to-Tuesday when those dates work for your plans.
The goal is not to assume one particular day will always be cheaper. It is to give yourself more options to compare.
Compare Public Hotel Rates and Private Member Offers
A public hotel rate is generally available through an unrestricted booking channel without requiring membership in a particular private program.
Public rates may be displayed on hotel websites, online travel agencies, travel comparison services and other booking platforms.
A private member offer is different. Certain hotel rates or benefits may be available to eligible users through membership programs, loyalty programs or other qualified environments.
Depending on the offer and supplier requirements, users may need to sign in, verify membership or otherwise qualify before accessing the private offer.
Public vs. Private Hotel Offers
Public hotel rate: Generally available through an unrestricted booking channel.
Private member offer: Available to eligible or authenticated members within a qualified or restricted environment.
Best strategy: Compare both when you are eligible, then evaluate the complete booking terms.
Does Hotel Rate Parity Mean Every Website Must Show the Same Price?
No.
Hotel rate parity should not be described as one universal law requiring every hotel price to be identical everywhere.
Rate parity generally refers to contractual provisions, pricing practices or distribution arrangements affecting how certain hotel rates are advertised or distributed across specified sales channels.
The contractual and legal treatment of rate-parity provisions can vary by jurisdiction.
Public rates and eligible private member offers can also operate through different distribution channels.
Older discussions about hotel pricing sometimes described travel strategies as ways to “beat the rate parity law.” That description is too broad and should be avoided.
A better way to think about travel savings is to understand that travelers may have access to different types of offers through different distribution channels.
Those can include:
Public hotel rates
Hotel loyalty programs
Private membership offers
Corporate rates
Package offers
Promotional rates
Qualified customer programs
Other supplier-authorized offers
The goal is not to “beat” a law. The goal is to understand which legitimate offers you qualify for and compare them carefully.
What Is a Closed User Group?
A Closed User Group, often abbreviated as CUG, is a defined group of eligible users who can access certain offers within a restricted environment.
Membership, authentication or another eligibility requirement generally separates the private environment from unrestricted public access.
Hotels Etc. operates as a private membership program. Eligible members can access the Hotels Etc. membership environment and search participating travel offers based on destination, travel dates, inventory, supplier availability and other booking conditions.
For a traveler-focused explanation of the difference between rate parity and private member pricing, read:
Certain travel offers are intended for members or other eligible users rather than unrestricted public distribution.
Authentication can help establish that the traveler qualifies for the private or member environment.
This type of structure is not unique to Hotels Etc.
Google Hotel Center recognizes private hotel rates that can be limited to members of particular groups, including membership and loyalty programs. Depending on the rate rules, some private offers can also be hidden until a traveler clicks through to the partner’s website.
Are Private Member Rates Always Cheaper During the Holidays?
No.
A private membership does not guarantee that every hotel will always be cheaper than every public booking option.
Holiday hotel pricing can change based on:
Destination
Travel dates
Hotel occupancy
Seasonal demand
Local events
Room type
Available inventory
Supplier availability
Promotions
Cancellation terms
Refundability
The value of private membership is having access to eligible private offers and benefits that provide another option to compare.
Compare the Final Price, Not Just the Room Rate
A headline hotel rate does not always tell you the total cost of the reservation.
Before booking, compare:
Base room rate
Applicable taxes
Resort or destination fees
Booking fees, if applicable
Parking costs
Breakfast or other included benefits
Wi-Fi or other amenities
Cancellation policy
Refundability
Final checkout price
Two offers that initially appear to have similar room prices can provide very different overall value.
Compare the complete hotel booking, including rates, taxes, fees, cancellation terms and eligible member benefits.
Look Beyond the Most Popular Holiday Destinations
Popular holiday destinations can experience increased demand during peak travel periods.
If your plans are flexible, compare nearby destinations, neighborhoods or alternative locations that still provide the type of trip you want.
For example, a traveler attending an event in a major city might compare hotels in surrounding areas in addition to properties directly in the city center.
Always factor transportation time and cost into the comparison.
Review Cancellation Policies Carefully
Holiday plans can change because of weather, family schedules, flight disruptions and other unexpected events.
A lower nonrefundable hotel rate may not always be the best choice if your travel plans are uncertain.
Compare the savings against the flexibility provided by the cancellation policy before booking.
Make Sure You’re Comparing the Same Room
When comparing hotel offers, make sure the room types and booking conditions are actually equivalent.
One offer might be for a standard room while another is for a larger room or different bed configuration.
One rate might be refundable while another is nonrefundable.
One might include breakfast or parking while another does not.
An accurate comparison should be as close to apples-to-apples as possible.
How Does Hotels Etc. Help Holiday Travelers?
Hotels Etc. has been serving members since 1996.
Hotels Etc. provides eligible members access to participating travel and lifestyle offers through a private membership environment.
Members can search available travel offers for their specific destination and dates and compare those options with other available booking channels.
Hotels Etc. does not guarantee that every hotel search will always produce the lowest price available anywhere.
The membership provides another qualified travel channel and access to participating private offers and benefits that members can evaluate as part of their travel planning.
Holiday Travel Planning Checklist
Start researching your trip early.
Compare several nearby travel dates when possible.
Compare public hotel rates.
Check eligible private member offers.
Compare equivalent room types.
Review taxes and fees.
Check cancellation and refund policies.
Compare included amenities and benefits.
Consider nearby destinations or neighborhoods.
Review the final checkout price before booking.
The Bottom Line
Holiday travel savings are about smart comparison, not trying to “beat” a rate parity law.
Public hotel rates, private member offers, loyalty programs and other qualified rates can represent different booking opportunities.
Travelers should compare the complete booking, including dates, room type, taxes, fees, cancellation terms and eligible benefits.
Hotels Etc. gives eligible members another private travel channel to include in that comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Travel and Hotel Rates
When should I start planning holiday travel?
Starting early generally gives travelers more inventory, destinations, room types and booking options to compare. There is no single booking date that guarantees the lowest price.
How can I save money on holiday hotel bookings?
Compare multiple travel dates, public rates, eligible private member offers, equivalent room types, taxes, fees, cancellation policies and the final checkout price before booking.
Does rate parity mean every hotel website has the same price?
No. Rate parity generally refers to certain contractual and distribution arrangements and should not be described as a universal rule requiring every hotel price to be identical everywhere.
What is a private member hotel rate?
A private member hotel rate is an offer available to eligible users through a qualified or restricted environment such as a membership or loyalty program.
What is a Closed User Group?
A Closed User Group, or CUG, is a defined group of eligible users who can access certain offers within a restricted environment.
Are private member rates always cheaper?
No. Hotel pricing and availability constantly change. Private membership provides another category of eligible offers and benefits for travelers to compare.
Why should I compare cancellation policies during holiday travel?
Holiday travel plans can be affected by weather, transportation disruptions and changing schedules. A flexible rate may sometimes provide better overall value than a lower nonrefundable offer.
How long has Hotels Etc. been in business?
Hotels Etc. was founded in 1996 and has provided private membership discounts and travel benefits for decades.
Learn More About Hotel Pricing and Private Member Rates
For our complete educational guide to hotel rate parity, public hotel rates, private member rates and Closed User Groups, visit:
Hotels Etc. is a private travel and lifestyle discount membership company founded in 1996. Eligible members can access participating travel and lifestyle offers through the private Hotels Etc. membership platform.
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