Can hostels change the price on you? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Bacon** · 04-17-2005, 03:24 PM

My friend told me that he heard a guy once reserved a hostel online...

but when he got there, they jacked up the prices on him.

Can they do that??? Just say I book the hostel using the T-punk engine.... are they obligated to stick to that price? what about taxes and extra costs?

**omisan** · 04-18-2005, 12:54 AM

You should definitely get the price you're quoted when you reserve, and when you do it through t-punk, I believe that includes taxes, etc. The trouble is exchange rates can change drastically sometimes, and you may end up paying more in US dollars than you thought you would, although the price remains the same in local currency... My $15 hostel reservation suddenly became $19, even though it was the same thing in GBP.. ya dig?

**urOZm8** · 04-18-2005, 03:21 AM

If you've been quoted a price then it should stand, including internet bookings.

The only time I've had the price upped on me is on weekends. For example I've stayed Thursday night and then Friday morning decided to extend my stay - the price has been more expensive on a weekend compared to week days.

ev

**d_fresh** · 04-18-2005, 05:27 AM

when booking online I usually pay by credit card then print the receipt and take it with me. that way there's no hassle.

**Canadian Bacon** · 04-18-2005, 06:14 AM

Oh.... I see.

So when you book it online, its not only a reservation of space, but also a reservation of rates in local currency.

Btw...is it better to reserve all the places you want to go to beforehand?
I mean, that way they can't jack the prices on you... but on the other hand, your schedule becomes inflexible... =(

**d_fresh** · 04-18-2005, 09:01 AM

well i pay up front so...there's no cash exchanging hands unless I decide to stay for longer (and I make sure I'm charged the same rate I paid).

usually I book the next city I'm going to a day or two before I leave the city I'm in.

**Canadian Bacon** · 04-19-2005, 06:03 AM

Just one more question... in your experience, T-punks, how booked does a hostel get during high season? I'm going during June/July.

If you book a day or two in advance, will you find space? Like, if I don't book anything until I actually get there, will I still be able to find space at cool, safe, cheap, hostels?

**omisan** · 04-19-2005, 10:30 AM

It depends on the town.. when I went to Amsterdam in July, I was really glad I booked -almost everything was packed to the hilt, and that was over a month before the trip. The same went for Barcelona - all the good hostels were booked up by the time I got there, so I was very happy to have booked in advance. London, on the other hand, I've never had an issue getting a hostel, even at the last minute.