Subject: Re: Online hotel reservations
Hi Bettina,

I have never used a website like Expedia or Orbitz. Everytime I have looked at them, I found their rules too restrictive because I need more flexibility. Additionally, I didn't find their prices that much better than booking though the hotel directly.

I'm saying that when I have booked a room on a hotel's *own* website, I found their cancellation policies to be reasonable. Usually there's a 24-48 hour cancellation without penalty. The only one time I found that not to be so, I called AMEX and had them book the same hotel and got a better cancellation policy for maybe just a few dollars more per night. To me, it was worth it.

The dollar/euro/pound spread has nothing to do with the website, it has to do with your credit card and what rate they are giving you. Unless you're getting quotes in american dollars on the websites. On that I would have no comment since I have never booked a room in a foreign country in dollars.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Candice NYC