While guest-blogging at Marginal Revolution I posted about a rate glitch at Expedia where the Hilton Tokyo and Hilton Osaka were selling rooms for about $3 a night.

I personally booked a week next year at the Tokyo property in an Executive-level room.

Expedia charged my card in full for the stay and confirmed over email that in spite of the rate error that they were going to honor the booking. Indeed, one member of Flyertalk.com has already successfully checked in at this rate. However, USA Today covered the rate glitch and quoted an Expedia spokesman as saying

“If a booking was made for the month of November, Hilton will honor the reservation at the quoted price. But if a booking was made for December or beyond, it will be cancelled – unless it is part of a package, which Expedia.com will honor.”

My booking was for 2006, so I emailed Expedia with the link to this story and received back assurance that my booking would be honored.

I’m surprised that Expedia didn’t just honor the rate across the board and tout itself for doing so — “Expedia special rates really are special — it pays to always check Expedia before booking!”

Developing…