This isn’t correct. The accommodation provider sets the rates, not booking.com.
Accommodation include commissions in their advertised rates. I have covered this elsewhere on the community such as here.
Accommodation providers can opt in (or out) of booking platform promotions. This statement is correct.
If what you say is correct, it would be misleading advertising under the ACL.
It may be difficult to prove who was misleading (the booking platform or accommodation provider), but the platform should have honoured the advertised price.
Have you looked at the same room on different dates to confirm it is part of the advertised program? Usually promotions aren’t limited to one date or one room. This could confirm whether or not the particular room is part of the program.
