Maya needs to book rooms for a small sales team traveling to Chicago next month. The company has used Lakeview Hotel before, but a new vendor, City Center Suites, sent a cheaper offer. Maya must compare the two options and choose one before Friday.

Lakeview’s room costs $185 per night. Breakfast is included, and the hotel sends one clear invoice for all the rooms. Guests can cancel without a fee until 6 p.m. on the day before arrival. This policy is useful because the team’s schedule may change.

City Center’s room costs only $160 per night, but breakfast costs another $18 per person. The hotel also charges a $12 daily service fee. Its invoice is more detailed, with separate lines for each room, breakfast, and fee. Cancellations are free until three days before arrival; after that, the hotel charges the first night.