---
title: "What is Opaque rate? | Benefit Systems"
description: "An opaque rate is an offer where the provider is revealed only after booking, such as an unnamed hotel of a given class in a given district."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Opaque rate?

An opaque rate is an offer where the provider is revealed only after booking, such as an unnamed hotel of a given class in a given district.

Also called: Blind booking.

## How it works #

The model allows discounting without visibly lowering the published price, protecting the provider’s rate structure. The buyer pays for that: such rates are usually non-refundable, earn no points and are not recognised for elite benefits. For travellers who care about status, that last point is the decisive drawback.

## Not to be confused with #

An opaque rate is not the same as a sale price: with a sale price the provider is known, with an opaque rate the identity is deliberately withheld.

## In German #

The German term is Opaker Tarif. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/opaker-tarif)

## Related terms #

- [Rack rate](/en/glossary/rack-rate): The rack rate is a hotel’s official undiscounted room price, used as the reference point from which all other rates are derived.
- [Rate parity](/en/glossary/rate-parity): Rate parity is the agreement that a hotel offers the same room price across all distribution channels and does not undercut the agencies.
- [Fare rules](/en/glossary/fare-rules): Fare rules are the conditions attached to a specific airfare covering changes, refunds, validity, stopovers and mileage earning.

## Articles that use this term #

- [Book direct or through an online travel agency?](/en/knowledge/direct-vs-ota)
- [Can you cancel a booking for free?](/en/knowledge/free-cancellation)
- [Why your hotel bill is higher than the rate you booked](/en/knowledge/resort-fees)