In Reply to: accom posted by froglet on Tuesday, 30. June 2009 at 12:12 Bali Time:
wholesaler. The wholesale acts as the middle man between the hotel and the TA. Creative Holidays, Horizon etc....are what I'm talking about.
I usually organize my own flights with FF points or if I see a good deal then I will book it.
I have found that when booking accommodation, my TA can always get me a better price because they deal with the wholesaler and hence get an agents rate (along with incentives to sell their product).
When we stayed in Hong Kong last year it would have cost us $200+ per night at our hotel, but because we went through my TA she was able to get us the room for $59.
This is the same with Bali hotels.
My TA just gave me a quote for the Lokha for $40AUD per night twin share (March 2010). The hotel quoted me $99AUD ($80US) per night. That is $50AUD difference that I would rather see go to my local Bintang Man and his family ;)
It will also depend on the hotel you are looking at staying at and if they have arrangements with a wholesaler of course, so it pays to shop around to get the best deal.
I hope this makes some sense.... :)
Cheers
Ree