Negotiating The Exchange Rates Snare

– with immediate comparison and purchase power in 14 different currencies

Freefalling economies and turbulent world currency exchange rates present a real challenge to travellers who book online. Travellers can take comfort from the certainty offered by online booking operator – HotelClub.com

To the consumer this means ‘what you see is what you get’ and there are no subsequent surprises when the credit card charge is reconciled against the exchange rate of the day.

The organisation provides hotel bookings available in 14 different currencies which are updated by its in-house treasury department each day.

Managing Director of HotelClub, Ms Chloe Lim, says, “Our big point of difference over most other operators’ currency exchange is that we can display and charge in their currency of choice.

“For example, an Australian traveller who wants to book a hotel room in Thailand can choose their hotel and display the cost of their accommodation in $AUD, $US or £GBP or from 11 other currencies.

“This option allows them to price-compare before paying for their booking and to be charged the exact amount in their nominated currency. We believe this is unique in the travel industry and with the fluctuating markets, a crucial tool for travellers.”

Currency will be a factor in maximising the impact of Tourism Australia’s $A40 million advertising campaign around the Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’ movie blockbuster according to Ms Lim, “Like the rest of the industry, we are optimistic about the potential for Luhrmann’s film to boost local tourism.  And, if the US dollar continues to be stronger than the Australian dollar, we can expect that to influence numbers of visitors from the States.”

An Australia movie promo received an enthusiastic greeting when previewed to 300 hotel operators at HotelClub’s industry awards in Sydney last month.

About HotelClub

HotelClub is a global accommodation specialist operating the following websites: HotelClub.com – bookings up to 12 months in advance and RatesToGo.com – bookings up to 28 days in advance. HotelClub offers users the choice of over 45,000 hotels in over 120 countries worldwide. HotelClub is available in fourteen languages – Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Thai. HotelClub is truly global offering its customers access through country specific websites. HotelClub is part of Orbitz Worldwide.