{
  "name": "Hotel Booking Platforms",
  "edition_label": "October 2026",
  "edition_updated_at": "2026-10-11",
  "slug": "hotel-booking-platforms",
  "kind": "subcategory",
  "parent_slug": "travel-booking-platforms",
  "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms",
  "scope": "Category research. Verified account AOV aggregate supplied separately.",
  "directory_status": "deferred",
  "page_readiness": "published",
  "directory_notice": null,
  "benchmark": {
    "status": "verified_aggregate",
    "slug": "hotel-booking-platforms",
    "parent_slug": "travel-booking-platforms",
    "cohort_scope": "exact_child",
    "median_aov_usd": 232.96,
    "p25_aov_usd": 99.43,
    "p75_aov_usd": 326.37,
    "metric_window": null,
    "scope_label": "Equal-weight account aggregate · Reporting period not supplied",
    "methodology": "Median and middle 50% of account-level average order values. Each account value is purchase ROAS multiplied by cost per purchase in USD. Successful classifications, including manual corrections, with positive finite spend, purchases, ROAS and cost per purchase. Accounts are counted once with equal weight. Quartiles use linear interpolation. Root cohorts include direct root classifications and their child categories; exact-child cohorts exclude parent and sibling categories. The source selects the highest-spend coverage row per account among snapshots dated within the preceding 30 days; the underlying reporting period is not supplied. This is a dated aggregate advertising-data snapshot, not business-wide AOV or a census.",
    "read_at": "2026-10-11T14:12:18.447771+00:00",
    "period_label": "Dated snapshot · underlying reporting period not supplied",
    "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms account AOV: median $232.96; middle 50% $99.43–$326.37. Snapshot read 2026-10-11T14:12:18.447771+00:00; underlying reporting period not supplied. https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark",
    "source": {
      "name": "Madgicx Research & Labs",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    }
  },
  "metric_definitions": [],
  "metric_definitions_scope": "Definitions only; no ACV, MRR or ARPU benchmark or measured correlation is supplied.",
  "brands": null,
  "answers": [
    {
      "group": "In this category",
      "id": "answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-1",
      "question": "Why does the cancellation policy belong beside a hotel offer?",
      "text": "Booking.com says cancellation charges are determined by the property's policy and distinguishes refundable from non-refundable bookings. Show the selected rate's policy rather than promise universal flexibility. A reservation's gross value and a cancellation or refund are different measures; this source does not establish final net revenue.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-1",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Why does the cancellation policy belong beside a hotel offer? Booking.com says cancellation charges are determined by the property's policy and distinguishes refundable from non-refundable bookings. Show the selected rate's policy rather than promise universal flexibility. A reservation's gross value and a cancellation or refund are different measures; this source does not establish final net revenue.  Source: https://secure.booking.com/faq.en-gb.html?aid=330843 Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-1",
      "source_url": "https://secure.booking.com/faq.en-gb.html?aid=330843"
    },
    {
      "group": "In this category",
      "id": "answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-2",
      "question": "Does a hotel booking always charge the traveler immediately?",
      "text": "Expedia's terms distinguish Pay Now, usually charged at booking, from Pay Later, usually charged by the provider at the stay or another disclosed time. Label the payment arrangement in the offer. A confirmed reservation and money collected are different stages; the reported account AOV is not proof of commission revenue.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-2",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Does a hotel booking always charge the traveler immediately? Expedia's terms distinguish Pay Now, usually charged at booking, from Pay Later, usually charged by the provider at the stay or another disclosed time. Label the payment arrangement in the offer. A confirmed reservation and money collected are different stages; the reported account AOV is not proof of commission revenue.  Source: https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/terms-of-service?locale=en_US Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-2",
      "source_url": "https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/terms-of-service?locale=en_US"
    },
    {
      "group": "In this category",
      "id": "answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-3",
      "question": "Are hotel rewards equivalent to a cash discount?",
      "text": "Hotels.com describes OneKeyCash as usable on eligible pay-now hotel bookings and explicitly says it is not redeemable for cash. An offer should show the applicable reward conditions rather than convert rewards into a universal cash-saving claim. Rewards earned or redeemed remain distinct from a booking's cash payment.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-3",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Are hotel rewards equivalent to a cash discount? Hotels.com describes OneKeyCash as usable on eligible pay-now hotel bookings and explicitly says it is not redeemable for cash. An offer should show the applicable reward conditions rather than convert rewards into a universal cash-saving claim. Rewards earned or redeemed remain distinct from a booking's cash payment.  Source: https://www.hotels.com/lp/b/about-us?locale=en_US&pos=HCOM_US&siteid=300000001 Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-3",
      "source_url": "https://www.hotels.com/lp/b/about-us?locale=en_US&pos=HCOM_US&siteid=300000001"
    },
    {
      "group": "In this category",
      "id": "answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-4",
      "question": "What does upfront hotel-fee messaging actually support?",
      "text": "Expedia's US article describes including mandatory accommodation fees in upfront displayed prices under a rule effective in 2025. Treat this as US-specific publisher context and avoid worldwide price guarantees. Advertising can explain the displayed fee basis while keeping optional extras and final booking charges distinct; the source is not a current legal compliance audit.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-4",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What does upfront hotel-fee messaging actually support? Expedia's US article describes including mandatory accommodation fees in upfront displayed prices under a rule effective in 2025. Treat this as US-specific publisher context and avoid worldwide price guarantees. Advertising can explain the displayed fee basis while keeping optional extras and final booking charges distinct; the source is not a current legal compliance audit.  Source: https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/transparency-in-travel-pricing-a-win-for-consumers-and-a-standard-at-expedia/?msockid=255bd013711b673a3fffc6f570eb6606 Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cht-hotel-booking-platforms-4",
      "source_url": "https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/transparency-in-travel-pricing-a-win-for-consumers-and-a-standard-at-expedia/?msockid=255bd013711b673a3fffc6f570eb6606"
    },
    {
      "group": "Read the benchmark",
      "id": "answer-median-aov",
      "question": "What is the average order value benchmark for Hotel Booking Platforms?",
      "text": "The median account AOV for Hotel Booking Platforms is $232.96 USD. This is the middle account-level average order value in the benchmark.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-median-aov",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What is the average order value benchmark for Hotel Booking Platforms? The median account AOV for Hotel Booking Platforms is $232.96 USD. This is the middle account-level average order value in the benchmark. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-median-aov",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Read the benchmark",
      "id": "answer-aov-range",
      "question": "What is the typical AOV range in Hotel Booking Platforms?",
      "text": "The middle 50% of account AOVs runs from $99.43 to $326.37 USD. This is the interquartile range, not the minimum and maximum.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-range",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What is the typical AOV range in Hotel Booking Platforms? The middle 50% of account AOVs runs from $99.43 to $326.37 USD. This is the interquartile range, not the minimum and maximum. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-range",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Read the benchmark",
      "id": "answer-lower-quartile-aov",
      "question": "What is the lower-quartile AOV?",
      "text": "The 25th-percentile account AOV is $99.43 USD. It marks the lower edge of the middle 50% of this distribution.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-lower-quartile-aov",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What is the lower-quartile AOV? The 25th-percentile account AOV is $99.43 USD. It marks the lower edge of the middle 50% of this distribution. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-lower-quartile-aov",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Read the benchmark",
      "id": "answer-upper-quartile-aov",
      "question": "What is the upper-quartile AOV?",
      "text": "The 75th-percentile account AOV is $326.37 USD. It marks the upper edge of the middle 50%, not a performance target.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-upper-quartile-aov",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What is the upper-quartile AOV? The 75th-percentile account AOV is $326.37 USD. It marks the upper edge of the middle 50%, not a performance target. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-upper-quartile-aov",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Read the benchmark",
      "id": "answer-aov-calculation",
      "question": "How is account AOV calculated for this benchmark?",
      "text": "Each account value is purchase ROAS multiplied by cost per purchase in USD. The benchmark reports the median and middle 50% of those account values. Accounts are counted once and receive equal weight.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-calculation",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. How is account AOV calculated for this benchmark? Each account value is purchase ROAS multiplied by cost per purchase in USD. The benchmark reports the median and middle 50% of those account values. Accounts are counted once and receive equal weight. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-calculation",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Put it in context",
      "id": "answer-median-or-mean",
      "question": "Is this the mean AOV across all orders?",
      "text": "No. It is the median of account-level average order values. Each account receives equal weight; it is not a pooled average of every order.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-median-or-mean",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Is this the mean AOV across all orders? No. It is the median of account-level average order values. Each account receives equal weight; it is not a pooled average of every order. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-median-or-mean",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Put it in context",
      "id": "answer-benchmark-period",
      "question": "What dates does this AOV benchmark cover?",
      "text": "The snapshot was read on 11 October 2026. The underlying reporting period was not supplied. The October 2026 label identifies the page edition, not the period in which the advertising results were measured.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-benchmark-period",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. What dates does this AOV benchmark cover? The snapshot was read on 11 October 2026. The underlying reporting period was not supplied. The October 2026 label identifies the page edition, not the period in which the advertising results were measured. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-benchmark-period",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Put it in context",
      "id": "answer-benchmark-coverage",
      "question": "Which industry or subcategory does this benchmark cover?",
      "text": "This benchmark covers exact Hotel Booking Platforms classifications under Travel Booking Platforms. It excludes the parent industry and sibling subcategories.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-benchmark-coverage",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Which industry or subcategory does this benchmark cover? This benchmark covers exact Hotel Booking Platforms classifications under Travel Booking Platforms. It excludes the parent industry and sibling subcategories. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-benchmark-coverage",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Put it in context",
      "id": "answer-compare-aov",
      "question": "How can I compare my AOV with this benchmark?",
      "text": "Enter your AOV in USD in the comparison field above. It shows the difference from the median and whether your value falls below, within or above the middle 50%. Your entered amount stays on this page.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-compare-aov",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. How can I compare my AOV with this benchmark? Enter your AOV in USD in the comparison field above. It shows the difference from the median and whether your value falls below, within or above the middle 50%. Your entered amount stays on this page. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-compare-aov",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Put it in context",
      "id": "answer-aov-performance",
      "question": "Does an above-median AOV mean better advertising performance?",
      "text": "The comparison describes position in the account AOV distribution, not profitability. It is not a performance score.",
      "context": "USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied.",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-performance",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Does an above-median AOV mean better advertising performance? The comparison describes position in the account AOV distribution, not profitability. It is not a performance score. USD · Equal-weight account aggregate. Snapshot read 11 October 2026; underlying reporting period not supplied. Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-aov-performance",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#benchmark"
    },
    {
      "group": "Use this research",
      "id": "answer-download-research",
      "question": "Can I download this industry research?",
      "text": "The exports section provides this edition in Markdown and JSON, along with a research index. This private draft is not licensed for public redistribution.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-download-research",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. Can I download this industry research? The exports section provides this edition in Markdown and JSON, along with a research index. This private draft is not licensed for public redistribution.  Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#reuse Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-download-research",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#reuse"
    },
    {
      "group": "Use this research",
      "id": "answer-cite-research",
      "question": "How should I cite a finding from this page?",
      "text": "When reuse is permitted, credit Madgicx Research & Labs and link to the exact source. Keep its snapshot date and scope. This private draft is not licensed for public redistribution.",
      "context": "",
      "url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cite-research",
      "citation": "Madgicx Research & Labs. Hotel Booking Platforms. How should I cite a finding from this page? When reuse is permitted, credit Madgicx Research & Labs and link to the exact source. Keep its snapshot date and scope. This private draft is not licensed for public redistribution.  Source: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#reuse Answer: https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#answer-cite-research",
      "source_url": "https://madgicx.com/labs/industries/travel-booking-platforms/hotel-booking-platforms#reuse"
    }
  ]
}