What does OTA BB mean?

OTA BB stands for Online Travel Agency - Bed & Breakfast. This is a hotel rate plan sold through OTA platforms that includes accommodation (room) and breakfast for guests. For example, if a guest books OTA BB at ₹3,000, they get the room plus breakfast, and the hotel pays 15-25% commission to the OTA.

What does OTA RO mean?

OTA RO stands for Online Travel Agency - Room Only. This rate plan includes accommodation (room) only with no meals included. For example, a ₹2,500 OTA RO booking means room only, with no breakfast or other meals.

Is OTA BB the same as CP Plan?

Yes! OTA BB, CP (Continental Plan), and Bed & Breakfast all mean the same thing: Room + Breakfast. These are different names for the same rate plan that includes accommodation and breakfast.

Should I offer flexible or non-refundable rates?

You should offer both. Flexible rates attract cautious bookers who want the option to cancel, while non-refundable rates appeal to budget travelers and guarantee revenue for the hotel. Non-refundable rates are typically 8-15% cheaper than flexible rates.

What is the difference between OTA BB and Flexible - OTA BB?

Both have the same meal inclusion (room + breakfast), but the difference is in cancellation policy. OTA BB may or may not be flexible depending on the specific rate policy, while Flexible - OTA BB explicitly states that cancellations are allowed according to the property's cancellation terms.

What does OTA CP mean?

OTA CP stands for Online Travel Agency - Continental Plan. This rate plan includes room plus breakfast, and is the same as OTA BB (Bed & Breakfast). CP is commonly used on Indian OTA platforms like MakeMyTrip and Goibibo.

What does OTA MAP mean?

OTA MAP stands for Online Travel Agency - Modified American Plan. This rate plan includes room, breakfast, and one main meal (either lunch or dinner). MAP is ideal for destination hotels and resorts where guests prefer having meals included.

What does OTA AP mean?

OTA AP stands for Online Travel Agency - American Plan. This rate plan includes room plus all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). AP is also called Full Board (FB) and is best for properties in remote locations or where dining options are limited nearby.

Which rate plans should my hotel offer on OTAs?

Hotels should always offer OTA RO (Room Only) as the lowest price point and OTA BB/CP (Room + Breakfast) as the most popular option. Consider offering both flexible and non-refundable versions of each, with non-refundable rates 8-15% cheaper. For destination hotels, also offer MAP (Room + Breakfast + 1 meal) and AP (all meals included).

Why do OTAs use standardized rate codes?

OTA platforms use standardized codes like Flexible - OTA BB to simplify listings across thousands of hotels, help travelers compare options easily, ensure consistency in what is included, and enable filtering by meal plan type. This creates a uniform booking experience for guests across different properties.

Flexible - OTA BB/RO Meaning: What These Rate Plans Mean for Hotels

OnlineHotelier
Oct 12, 2025
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

If you've listed your hotel on OTA platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, or Booking.com, you've probably seen rate plan codes like:

Flexible - OTA BB
OTA RO
Non-refundable - OTA CP

What do these actually mean? Let's decode them.

What Does "BB" Mean?

BB stands for: Bed & Breakfast

Meaning: This is a hotel rate plan sold through OTA platforms that includes:

Accommodation (room)
Breakfast for guests

Example: If a guest books "BB" at ₹3,000, they get the room + breakfast, and you (the hotel) pay 15-25% commission to the OTA.

What Does "RO" Mean?

RO stands for: Room Only

Meaning: This rate plan includes:

Accommodation (room) only
No meals included

Example: A ₹2,500 "RO" booking = room only, no breakfast or other meals.

What Does "Flexible" Mean in OTA Rate Plans?

Flexible means the booking can be cancelled or modified by the guest (usually with some conditions).

Flexible vs Non-Refundable:

Rate Type	Cancellation	Price
Flexible	Allowed (with policy)	Higher
Non-Refundable	Not allowed	8-15% Cheaper

Example:

Flexible - OTA BB = ₹3,000 (can cancel up to 24 hours before)
Non-refundable - OTA BB = ₹2,700 (no cancellations)

Common OTA Rate Plan Codes Explained

Code	Full Form	Meaning
OTA BB	Room Only	Room without meals
OTA BB	Bed & Breakfast	Room + Breakfast
OTA HB	Half Board	Room + Breakfast + 1 Main Meal
OTA FB	Full Board	Room + All Meals
OTA AP	American Plan	Room + All Meals
Flexible / Refundable	-	Cancellation allowed
Non-Refundable	-	No Cancellation