I am comparing the website of the exact hotel to which I wish to make a reservation and a general travelsite such as Expedia and Orbitz. It appears that you are saying that I may make reservations on Orbitz but I they will take my credit card details, but do not immediately charge the card? Perhaps you are just referring to a the specific hotel website. What I am interested in is what people have found the general dollar/euro/pound spread is and is it worth it to use a general site rather than the specific hotel site.

Thanks for the tip about American Express.

Bettina Jerusalem