Insights
What are net rates in travel?
Net (wholesale) pricing explained — how it differs from published rates and why it matters for your margin.
5 min read ·
If you sell travel for a living, the price you pay for a product and the price your client pays are not the same thing. Understanding the difference between net and published rates is the foundation of a profitable travel business.
Net rates vs. published rates
A published (or retail) rate is the price shown to the public. It usually includes a commission that the supplier pays back to the seller after the booking.
A net rate is a wholesale price with no commission built in. The seller adds their own markup on top, and the difference between the net rate and the selling price is their margin.
Why net rates matter for agencies
- Control: you decide the margin on every booking instead of accepting a fixed commission.
- Flexibility: you can price packages, promotions and corporate deals the way your market needs.
- Competitiveness: you can match or beat retail prices while still earning on the sale.
Where net rates come from
Net rates are typically available through wholesalers, bed banks, consolidators and directly contracted suppliers. A B2B platform aggregates these sources so that a travel business can compare them in one search rather than negotiating each contract separately.
Getting started
Net-rate access is reserved for verified travel businesses. With Sunedia, you apply once, we verify your business, and you can then compare net rates across our supplier network.
