Originally Posted by
Capetonian
So what exactly is the point of this 'service'? Just to get commission from preferred providers?
Absolutely. And only with places who have rates sufficiently high to justify working with them. It's a retail concession like any other in the airport, with a significant amount of the margin passed on to the airport owner's retail arm.
You will also find the individual hotels themselves charging a cheaper rate directly than through such agencies. You may like to approach them, find which places they offer, decline the quotes, and then call the hotels themselves directly.