Onhotels.com

Beware business travellers

This hotel booking site showed up as the cheapest when doing a search for a specific hotel, however after I made the booking, I received a confirmation which advised that they are unable to provide VAT receipts. This effectively meant that I, as a business traveller, was paying 17.5% more than the stated price. This was not pointed out beforehand, although it is possible that it was buried in the T&Cs. When I asked for an explanation i was told that one would be sent to me. Four days later I had to call them and ask for this again. Not a great experience, and I will not be using them again, for business or leisure travel.

25 August 2010

Reply from Onhotels.com

Onhotels.com VAT status falls within TOMS (Tour Operators Margin Scheme) as any other Online Travel Agent. This means that we is not able to provide VAT invoices for any reservations, whether they are for personal or business use.Our VAT is calculated differently than how normal VAT calculations are performed, and we are therefore not permitted by law to show any VAT on our invoices, nor are we permitted to provide VAT receipts. The VAT element of the invoice is not shown as the input element cannot be reclaimed.