Originally Posted by
moondog
I was just trying to book some hotels for next week on Ctrip because I've gotten good results from them during the past 6 months on this front, but ran into a mild shocker that suggests a "ream the foreigner" plan may well be in the works.
On the English site, they are now tacking a "service charge" onto hotel bookings (seems to be around 15%, but I couldn't tell for sure because they quote it in straight up RMB). And, they also wanted a credit card guarantee for a 2p arrival (very un Ctrip style).
I tried a second time on the Chinese site, and didn't encounter either of these issues, but I decided to refrain from booking out of principle.
Perhaps, though I recently booked a stay at the Wynn Macau through their English site for a bargain. Rate showed as "sold out" on Chinese site and the English site rate was significantly lower than any other online sites and booking directly through the hotel. Note that I had made two unsuccessful bookings through the English website two days prior. The two bookings completed without issue each time and amount was deducted from my CC, but Ctrip canceled booking after a few hours as they were unable to secure the rate through their external agency. Money refunded each time without any fees on my part. Its a little tedious to keep trying to make the same booking but worked the third time.
I haven't been charged any "service charge" as far as I know....