Hilton International has launched its new scheme to raise the number of bookings made through its own brand websites.

The ‘Our best rates. Guaranteed.’ policy has been created to ensure customers get the best possible publicly-available rate when buying a hotel room through Hilton’s direct booking channels – including Hilton and Scandic websites, Hilton Central reservations or direct with any Hilton or Scandic hotel.

The guarantee also extends to travel agents booking those rates.

If guests find a lower rate through a third party they can claim against the guarantee,

Hotels in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico will match the lower price and give a $50 American Express gift cheque.

All other hotels will match the lower rate and give a rebate of $50 or local equivalent upon checkout.

Currently 4 per cent of rooms booked with Hilton International come through its own brand websites but the company aims to increase this to 20 per cent by 2008.

Tim Davis, senior vice president e-commerce and distribution, said: “This is an important step for Hilton. We think it is crucial that guests choosing to stay in any of our hotels gain east access to the best rates available.

“We are very confident that our direct channels provide this capability and have therefore chose to give our guests even more confidence by providing an absolute guarantee.”

Hilton International is the UK-based hotels division of Hilton Group and owns the rights to the Hilton name throughout the world – except North America. The North American Hilton hotels are operated by Hilton Hotels Corporation, which has also finalized its best rates guarantee.