Spring break travel: Are you getting tricked by third-party booking sites? [Video]

Travelers searching for the perfect hotel stay might be in for a surprise if they book through a third-party website.

Often, when a person uses a search engine, whether it be Google, Bing, Yahoo or others, to find lodging, links to third-party reservation websites are the first to appear. These sites are alternatives to a hotel’s direct website and typically advertise deals and savings for customers.

While offers may seem tempting, experts advise consumers to read the fine print as many third-party sites will charge a fee for using their service.

In some cases, companies may refer to it as a “facilitation fee.” 

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Some sites warn consumers outright that the price they pay for a room is higher and that there could be added hotel fees that aren’t stated online but will be due at checkout. 

Expedia Group’s Hotels.com says under its terms of service: “You acknowledge that our Group of Companies …