Just looking at booking a room with Agoda.
Without going through CR, its website shows that the price is $126. But after going through CR, the price increased to $130.
So if you're booking accommodation through Agoda, be sure to check the final rate against the w/o CR rate.
I noticed similar when comparing prices on other hotel sites too with and without cashrewards. Another thing to check now before booking.
that's (profanity)
I have seen this behaviour with car rental companies as well
Certainly worth keeping an eye on with all hotel bookings.
On the plus side, I have noticed on some (not sure if Agoda) prices drop when you sign into your hotel bookings search Engine.
It may be worth telling CashRewards too.
No problems for me with my trial run on Palmari boutique hotel Krabi, 26 Jan. 18 :-
Agoda direct $35.
Agoda after signing in and THEN searching $34.
Agoda signed out and went via Cashrewards and searched. $35
Agoda signed in and then went via Cashrewards and searched. $34
So cashrewards was fine in this instance, but obviously be signed in before searching on Agoda.
I have to say it doesn't happen with every property/booking/stay that I have looked at. Can't see a pattern there.
Also sometimes the price I got by going to Agoda from comparison sites like hotelscombined would be different to the price I got if I search directly from Agoda.
Agoda charged me foreign currency conversion making the deal more expensive than other sites like expedia. Something to watch out for.
I called them to refund it as it was not part of the contract of sale offer and they promised to refund me the difference but it never happened.
I will not use them in the future unless the deal is crazy.
Not sure how many are aware and already using this "feature" of Agoda - Book Now, Pay Later.
I'm describing my recent experience which involves booking hotels in Japan and Thailand via Agoda.
Made my booking around Aug/Sept last year, picked the "Book Now, Pay Later" option, understood that it will be charged according to the latest exchange rate during date of payment.
In both cases, the payment charged via "Book Now, Pay Later" ended up 5-10% more expensive than the price quoted during time of booking. What I'm seeing is, Agoda is taking advantage of this to overcharge customers who book for hotels in different currency.
When I first encountered this, the time period between my travel date and booking date is about 2 weeks, but I was charged an additional 7%. How is it possible that the currency can fluctuate so much in 2 weeks. Made a complain to customer service and was refunded the difference immediately.
All I'm saying is, if you're sure you're gonna book that hotel, you're better off paying it immediately at time of booking. Regardless of your currency strengthening or weakening, you'll always end up paying at least 5-10% more than what was quoted during time of booking.
If you end up in the same situation with me, don't hesitate to raise a complain to their CS. They can be helpful at times depending on who is handling your complains. Worse come to worst, if your booking has free cancellation, please go ahead and cancel it then re-book (assuming rooms are still available). Just don't fall for such scams.
I just noticed this when I returned from my trip.
Book now, pay later AUD865.16.
$957.20 charged on my card.
I've gone back and checked the rate on the day and, even at it's worst, it works out to be $918.
Lesson learnt, need to keep an eye on those pay later places. I booked another place through Agoda and it was 'pay now'. Didn't think anything of it when booking.
That's interesting!!!! I thought the price had increased when i booked recently!