Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ScraperCompany.
How does "pay only for success" work?
You are only charged for requests that return valid hotel rate data. If a request fails due to timeouts, rate limits, site outages, or any other error, you don't pay. We handle all retries and only consume credits when we successfully deliver data.
What happens when I run out of credits?
When you reach your monthly credit limit, API requests will return a 429 status code. You can upgrade your plan to get more credits immediately, or wait until your plan renews at the start of the next billing cycle. We'll notify you when you hit 80% of your limit.
Can I use the API for commercial purposes?
Yes! ScraperCompany is built for commercial use. All plans, including the free tier, allow commercial usage. Just make sure you comply with our Terms of Service and use the data responsibly.
How fresh is the rate data?
All data is fetched in real-time when you make a request—we don't cache pricing data. Response times are typically 2-5 seconds, and rates reflect current availability at the time of your request.
Do you support international hotels?
Yes! Our data sources (Google Travel, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda) have global coverage. Agoda is particularly strong in Asia-Pacific, while Booking excels in Europe and Expedia/Hotels.com cover North America well.
Can I get historical rate data?
Currently, the API provides real-time and forward-looking data only. We don't offer historical rate archives, but you can build your own by storing responses over time.
What's the difference between OTA and direct hotel rates?
OTA rates come from online travel agencies like Booking.com and Hotels.com (2 credits per request). Direct rates come from official hotel websites and may include exclusive member offers or best rate guarantees (3 credits per request). For rate parity monitoring, you need both.
How do concurrent request limits work?
Your plan determines how many requests can be in-flight simultaneously. For example, the Free plan allows 2 concurrent requests—if you make a 3rd request while 2 are still processing, it will be queued or rejected. The Growth plan allows 40 concurrent requests.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan anytime?
Yes. You can upgrade immediately and start using higher limits right away. Downgrades take effect at the start of your next billing cycle. There are no long-term contracts.
Do unused credits roll over?
No, credits reset at the start of each billing cycle and unused credits don't carry forward. This is why it's important to choose the right plan for your expected usage.
What happens if a hotel name or location changes?
Our data sources handle this automatically. If a hotel rebrands or moves, the updated information will be reflected in future API responses. Hotel IDs may change in these cases.
Can I request new data sources or endpoints?
Absolutely! We're always looking to add value. Email us at support@scrapercompany.com with your use case and we'll evaluate adding new sources or features.
Is there an SLA for uptime?
Free and Starter plans have no SLA. Growth and Scale plans include a 99.5% uptime SLA. Enterprise plans include custom SLAs. See our Terms of Service for details.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Go to your dashboard, navigate to the billing section, and click "Cancel Plan." You'll retain access until the end of your current billing period. No questions asked.
Can I get a refund?
We offer refunds within the first 3 days of purchasing a new plan if you're not satisfied. After that, no refunds are provided but you can cancel anytime to avoid future charges.
What programming languages do you support?
ScraperCompany is a REST API—any language that can make HTTP requests works. We provide examples in Python, JavaScript (Node.js), cURL, Go, Ruby, PHP, and more in our documentation.
Do you offer bulk discounts for high-volume usage?
Yes! Enterprise plans are fully customized for your volume and can include significant discounts. Contact sales@scrapercompany.com to discuss your needs.
How do I authenticate my requests?
Include your API key in the x-api-key header: x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY. See the Authentication docs for details.
Can I whitelist IP addresses?
IP whitelisting is available on Enterprise plans only. Contact us to discuss security requirements.
What if I hit a rate limit?
If you exceed your per-second rate limit, you'll receive a 429 response. Implement exponential backoff and retry. If you hit your monthly credit limit, you'll need to upgrade or wait until your plan renews.