Hotel Revenue Glossary · Pricing

Opaque Rate

A discounted rate sold through a channel that hides the hotel's identity until after the booking is confirmed and paid. Opaque channels like Hotwire and Priceline allow hotels to sell distressed inventory without publicly advertising the low rate.

Why it matters: Opaque rates allow hotels to fill rooms at deeply discounted prices without undermining their public rate structure. Since the hotel name is hidden, the discounted rate does not create rate-parity issues or erode brand positioning.

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