What is rate parity?
Updated
Rate parity means a hotel charges the same price for the same room and terms on every channel it sells through, including its own website.
Why does it matter to a small hotel?
Many hotels sign agreements with booking sites that ask for parity, so check the terms you signed. Either way, a guest who finds a cheaper price elsewhere stops trusting your own site. Parity problems usually creep in unnoticed: a promotion left on one channel, a rate change that reached your website but not a site that updates later, or a breakfast-included rate compared with a room-only one. The comparison only counts if room type, meal plan, cancellation terms and party size all match. A lower price with stricter terms does not break a parity clause.
A worked example
The 24-room hotel sets £110 for a midweek double with breakfast and free cancellation. Its own site shows £110. One online travel agency still shows £104 because an old offer was never switched off. That is £6 a night below your own site. Guests who see it learn to book there, and the hotel pays commission on the lower price as well. To keep an eye on where your prices differ across channels, try RatePulse free.
Related terms
Questions people ask
Do booking sites require rate parity?
Many contracts include a parity clause. Read yours to see exactly what it asks.
Does a member discount break parity?
It depends on your agreement. Many hotels treat a logged-in member rate as a separate offer from the public price. Read your contract.
How often should I check parity?
Whenever you change a rate or start an offer, and as a routine at least weekly. Differences tend to appear right after a change.