[mortigi]

It's absurd - the flexibility to even match Expedia's rates is a slog and they act like you're asking for the world when they readily accept Expedia giving even less. Really don't understand why hotels don't bake in the flexibility to actually compete with the OTAs.

[coldcode]

Contract from OTA (at least did when I worked) does not allow the chain/brand to undercut the OTA, in exchange for traffic. Given its mostly a duopoly (Expedia/Priceline), I guess they feel they have to give in or get cut out of business.