BAR - Best Available Rate

BAR (Best Available Rate) is the publicly listed nightly rate a hotel charges everyone on a given date, it's the price you see when you search the hotel's website, Booking, or Expedia without applying any discount code or loyalty member rate. The BAR moves daily (sometimes hourly) based on demand: high during Fashion Week, low during slow January. There are usually two versions of BAR: "Flexible BAR" lets you cancel up to 24-48 hours before arrival, but costs 15-25% more than "Non-refundable BAR" which charges your card immediately and gives no refunds. As a traveler: if your plans are firm, the non-refundable BAR saves money; if there's any chance you'll cancel, the flexible BAR is worth the premium.