# Accommodation pricing FAQs **Find answers to the most common questions regarding prices and extra charges.** ## General details summary b What is the difference between base, book, and total prices? b - **base** – The raw cost before any charges. - **book** – The legally required display price (`base` + `included` charges). Only in accommodations/search and accommodations/availability. - **total** – The full amount payable, including `non-conditional` charges. It appears in orders/preview. details summary b Why does the price vary between endpoints? b Slight differences can occur due to rounding, currency conversion, real-time inventory changes, or regional pricing rules. Best practice: Show `/accommodations/availability` prices as “from” or “estimated”, but confirm with `total` price via `/orders/preview`. details summary b Should I ever display the base price to travellers? b It's okay to display the `base` price as long as you display the extra charges and `total` price as well. What you should never do is advertise the `base` price without any other visible detail. details summary b Where can I find a detailed breakdown of fees and taxes? b In the `extra_charges` object returned: * When using [accommodations/availability endpoint](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/accommodations/accommodations/availability) - `included`, `excluded`, `conditional` charges. * When calling the [orders/preview](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/orders/orders/preview) in the booking phase - `non_conditional` charges. ## API usage details summary b How do I get all the price components in responses? b * Include `products` and `extra_charges` in the `extras` parameter for [/accommodations/search](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/accommodations/accommodations/search) and [accommodations/availability endpoint](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/accommodations/accommodations/availability). * Always call [/orders/preview](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/orders/orders/preview) before confirming a booking to get the final amount. details summary b Why is book price missing in /orders/preview responses? b The `book` is only returned during search and availability flows and no longer needed when previewing the order. At booking stage, the user must be shown the **total** cost. details summary b How do I know how much to load on the Virtual Credit Card (VCC)? b * Check the `chargeable_online` field in the [/orders/preview](/demand/docs/open-api/demand-api/orders/orders/preview) response, you will see the emount there. * You should load the `chargeable_online` amount onto your Virtual Credit Card (VCC). This value represents the portion of the total amount that Booking.com charges online. details summary b What should I do if /orders/preview price differs significantly from /availability? b Rely on /orders/preview `total` price and consider: - Labelling search and availability prices as “estimated”. - Explaining that final prices may vary slightly due to taxes, rounding, or regional policies. ## Price components and extra charges details summary b What is the difference between included, excluded, conditional, and non_conditional charges? b - **included** – Already part of the `book` price. - **excluded** – Mandatory but not included in `book`; shown separately until checkout. - **conditional** – Charges that only apply under certain conditions. - **non_conditional** – Final confirmed charges included in the `total` at booking time. See the [Extra charges guide](/demand/docs/accommodations/charge-calculation) for more details. details summary b Where can I find examples of how charges are calculated? b p * Check the [Extra charges calculation guide](/demand/docs/accommodations/charge-calculation) to understand how charges are calculated. * Find most common examples in the [Pricing use cases guide](/demand/docs/accommodations/pricing-examples). ## Handling discrepancies and communication details summary b How do I explain a price change to a traveller? b p Show a short, reassuring message: > “The final price may vary slightly due to local taxes, currency rounding, or policy rules.” This improves transparency and reduces confusion. details summary b Can I store historical prices for analysis? b Yes, you can use `base` and `total` for analytics, but **do not use stored prices for real-time booking flows**. details summary b How do I ensure compliance with pricing regulations? b p - Use `book` for display in search. - Use `total` for booking confirmation. - Ensure your flow matches the **local booker protection laws**. See the [Compliance section](/demand/docs/compliance/dsa-compliance) for already applicable regulations. details summary b What is the single source of truth for a booking price? b p The /orders/preview response is the **final and authoritative source** of pricing. ## Troubleshooting details summary b Why do extra_charges sometimes return an empty object? b Possible reasons: * No extra charges apply for this property. * You didn’t request `extra_charges` in the extras parameter. Solution Always include `extras=extra_charges` in accommodations/search and availability requests if you need the breakdown. details summary b Why do excluded charges appear in search results but not in /orders/preview? b In /orders/preview, `excluded_charges` are merged into the `non_conditional` charges, that are part of the `total` price (as they become final at booking time). They remain separate only during search and availability for transparency. details summary b Why is the chargeable_online amount slightly less than total? b The difference is due to Booking.com charging online only part of the cost, but not the full amount. details summary b How do I handle discrepancies between chargeable_online and the VCC charge amount? b * Always load the exact chargeable_online amount on the VCC. * If there’s a small rounding issue, allow a buffer (e.g., +2%) but never exceed total. Contact your Booking.com Account Manager if you’re unsure.