Quoted Hotel Rates. $US vs. Rupees

Hal

Trying to book a hotel in Mumbai online and it's giving me a price in US dollars which is about 20% higher than the price in Rupees! Is that just part of the variable rate system or should I say I'm in India and book it in Rupees?

I'm not trying to avoid whatever the going rate is, I just find it odd that their website lists a price, but then adds on about 20% at the end of the booking process if you choose $US as the currency.

bruce3404

I ran into the same thing trying to book Residency. $$ rate was $66 and rupee rate was 2700 (or $56 at today's rate). I just paid the $66 for the first night and I suppose I might be able to argue about the second night when I get there. I didn't want to take the chance of having a hassle when I got there after a 28 hour journey. I just verified my charge and it was exactly $66, so they didn't convert it to rupees. Since the rupee was around 40/1 not long ago, I guess it's possible that they didn't revise their conversion rate (though I'll bet they would have if the rupee had gone the other way!).

Scandojazzbuff

The INR just lost almost 25% against the dollar. It's trading at 49. Shrewd companies will compensate for this but you should bargain if possible. I have often called a hotel and gotten a discount from their internet rates.

Hal

Thanks. That's the hotel. I also have the disadvantage that my Canadian dollars are now worth a lot less than a $US. I will email them rather than use their online booking and ask them for a price in Rupees.

Hal

I got a rate quoted by email of Rs 2400 plus 10%, which works out to $64 Canadian.

If I'd gone with the $66 US, it would have been $76 Canadian.
So I saved enough for a good meal.

bruce3404

Or four good meals