Best available rate is a hotel industry term, and each hotel group sets out what it means in its own terms. Two published examples:

• Marriott. Its wholesale programme terms define BAR as the published rate for a room type that is available to the general public on Marriott’s websites at the time of booking. It excludes promotions offered only through Marriott’s own channels and loyalty, negotiated, corporate, group and membership rates. Marriott describes BAR as a real-time rate that each hotel sets and can change, and that varies with supply and demand.

• Wyndham. It defines its Standard Rate (BAR) as the best non-qualified, unrestricted, publicly available rate on its own website for the same terms, dates and accommodation.

Why it matters for travel businesses

Both groups use BAR as a benchmark for other rates. Marriott’s wholesale terms offer net packaging rates at a discount off BAR, and require the advertised package price to be at least BAR plus taxes. Wyndham’s discount for accredited travel advisers’ own leisure stays is taken off BAR. Contract terms about a hotel keeping its prices the same across sales channels are covered under rate parity.

Discount claims

The CMA has examined how accommodation sellers advertise savings. In February 2019, after investigating hotel booking sites, it published principles for all online accommodation booking sites serving UK consumers, including smaller businesses. They said a price should not be presented as a discount unless it gave a real saving on a like-for-like basis, and that a “was” price should make clear whether it related to different stay dates or occupancy. The CMA had found some sites comparing a higher weekend rate with a weekday rate, or a luxury suite with a standard room.