<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ravsquad:
As a hotel front desk supervisor, I can tell you that you will not get the GST back. With prepaid reservations through internet companies like Expedia, Priceline and Hotwire, the financial transaction was made between you and those companies and NOT between you and the hotel. These online agencies are American companies, as such you will not have been charged the GST.</font>
Hmmmm. I don't think US companies are exempt from paying GST. I think that, like anyone, they can apply for reimbursement after the GST is paid, but I'd be astonished if they don't have to pay it in the first place. Do you have a reference from Canada Customs & Revenue Agency to back this claim up? If it's true, every Canadian could avoid paying GST on hotels buy booking & pre-paying through US agents. ==> That would be one big loophole.
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Besides, the contract between Hotwire and all the hotels it books is confidential, and I can tell you 101% that the hotel will not show you the breakdown of the cost.</font>
Depends. I was told the rate site59 paid for a recent stay at a W Hotel in New York.