[eldavido]

Yes, it's called a MFN clause ("most favored nation") and is a standard deal term the channels negotiate with the hotels. They accept it because they have no choice.

Hotels play all sorts of games with this, including throwing in free stuff if you book direct ("it's the same rate") and doing "non-advertised" rates through loyalty and reward programs.

If you can't book directly with the hotel, it's very likely they don't have technology sophisticated enough to do a direct booking. You'd be surprised how bad hotel tech is. And the thing is, none of the independents want to spend anything to improve the situation. It's honestly madness.

[smueller1234]

Except the MFNs were significantly weakened or struck down entirely by a number of the largest European countries. For better or worse: I think OTAs have brought many good things to consumers (efficient comparisons, more competition amongst accommodation for example) and they depend somewhat on being able to offer the best prices. After all, the point is to make the search easier and more efficient.

Disclosure: used to work for an OTA.