Consumers could get better hotel price deals following a legal victory.

yesterday.

Online travel search company Skyscanner has successfully appealed against a decision by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) over discounts on hotel room rates. Skyscanner said the original ruling by the OFT, now the Competition and Markets Authority, restricted consumers access to discounts.

Edinburgh-based Skyscanner took its case to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), which has backed the company's challenge.

Carolyn Jameson, general legal counsel director at Skyscanner, said: "We are pleased to hear that we have been successful in our appeal of an earlier decision by the OFT, following their investigation into online hotel room booking. We believe this is good news for consumers as well as the wider travel industry."

Catriona Munro, a partner at law firm Maclay Murray & Spens, which advised Skyscanner in its CAT appeal, said: "Today's decision by the CAT is highly significant and a welcome boost to consumers and the burgeoning metasearch industry."