Two quotes only compare fairly when they describe the same room, the same meals, the same taxes and the same transfers. If one is cheaper, find out which of those it leaves out. The gap is usually an omission, not a bargain.
This guide belongs to our trust and enquiries topic, where we explain how to check what you are being sold.
Why do two quotes for the same trip look so different?
Each sender chooses what to include. One may price a sea-view room with breakfast, taxes and a return transfer. The other may price a garden-view room, room only, with taxes and transfers added later.
Neither is wrong. They are simply different products with similar names. Your job is to line them up before you judge them.
What should we normalise first?
Start with the seven rows below. Fill them in for each quote, one column per quote.
| Row | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Room category and bed type | ||
| Meal plan (room only, breakfast, half board) | ||
| Taxes, service charge, resort fee | ||
| Airport and island transfers | ||
| Flights, baggage, seat choice | ||
| Cancellation and change terms | ||
| Extras promised (decor, dinner, late check-out) |
A blank cell is a question, not a zero. Write what you need to ask beside it.
How do we handle taxes and fees?
Ask whether the figure is the final amount to pay, or a base rate before government tax and service charge. Our guide to resort fees and taxes shows where those lines usually appear.
If one quote says “nett” and the other does not, ask both to confirm in writing what is included. Then compare the final amount only.
What about transfers and flights?
Transfers are the easiest item to leave off a quote. A cheaper room can become the dearer trip once you add a ferry and a car. Ask who arranges each leg and who pays if a leg is delayed.
For flights, check the baggage allowance and whether you sit together. Two fares are only equal when the bags and the timings match.
How do we compare cancellation terms?
A lower price may be non-refundable. A higher one may let you change dates. Put the rule beside the price, because the cheaper quote carries more risk for you.
Ask for the deposit amount, the date the balance is due, and what happens if the hotel changes the room. Reading a cancellation policy helps with the wording.
What should we do next?
- Copy the table into a note and fill it for both quotes tonight.
- Send each sender the same list of blank cells, worded identically.
- Wait for written answers, then compare the final totals for two.
- Use the package comparer if you want a ready layout.
Once the rows match, the cheaper quote is cheaper for a reason you can see. Then the choice is yours.