Booking.com Review 2024

    

Despite the efforts made by the hotel industry to compete with these online services, it proves challenging for them to keep pace due to the numerous advantages these services offer. They assist in securing better deals for your travel experiences, provide loyalty programs with perks, and offer even greater discounts as you move up the ranks.

Booking.com serves as a third-party platform for booking hotels, flights, rental cars, bundled services, attractions, and airport taxis. Similar to other third-party sites, it may seem overwhelming to book through this service and trust that you won't fall victim to scams. In this article, we will explore the factors that contribute to the service's credibility, along with a comprehensive list of its pros and cons.

The Bottom Line

Booking.com is a trustworthy online travel agent site, not a scam. Your travel plans are safe and your credit card information is secure when booking through Booking.com. As a digital nomad, I have been using this platform since 2015 to book accommodations worldwide, from Poland to Mexico to Finland. It frequently provides better deals than Airbnb and other booking websites, offering discounts and additional perks for frequent users.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to be cautious and aware of certain factors before making a reservation on Booking.com. In this discussion, we will address the potential scams that one should be mindful of in order to prevent the disappointment of financial loss or arriving at a non-existent or different accommodation than what was initially booked.

Background of Booking.com

Established in the year 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com is accessible in 43 different languages. It provides a wide range of over 28 million accommodation options worldwide, such as hotels, apartments, homes, and more. Booking Holdings Inc. currently possesses various other prominent travel websites like Priceline, Kayak, Agoda, RentalCars, OpenTable, and, naturally, Booking.com.

How does Booking.com work?

 

When using platforms like Booking.com, travel businesses such as car rental services, airlines, and hotels are charged a fee for each booking made through the site. This allows them to gain more visibility and attract more customers.

As a customer browsing an OTA site, the booking process is straightforward. Let's take booking a hotel as an example.

Begin by selecting the service you need on the website and then input your desired location and dates. Booking.com will display all available accommodations that match your criteria.

After receiving a list of available options, you can choose the one that suits you best. You will then be prompted to either pay during checkout or provide your credit card details to secure the room. The payment will be processed using that card upon your arrival at the hotel.

Some hotels may offer a slight discount for upfront payment during booking to reduce cancellations and no-shows.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you will check in using the name you used on Booking.com. After settling the payment for the room, you can proceed with your stay. While the process is simple, it may seem overwhelming for those new to online booking.

 

Pros and Cons of Booking.com 

Pros: 

• Free cancellations on most rooms 
• Clear pricing without hidden fees 
• The app is user-friendly, and you can use it to book anywhere in the world
• The Booking.com Genius loyalty rewards system offers good discounts, freebies, and perks like a free hotel breakfast on most accommodations
• They have a price match guarantee and great customer service to back this up

Cons:

• Occasional mix-ups with the hotel. Some customers report the reservation not going through to the hotel or Booking.com not allowing them to change their reservation. 
• Online reviews are not always honest and can be easily manipulated. 
• May not show the entire total in bold print. Be sure to double-check all the fine print and asterisks to be sure you are getting all the information. 
• Potential issues with the cancellation policy because it varies from reservation to reservation.

Booking.com Scams To Be Aware Of

Although Booking.com is generally considered safe, reliable, and secure, it is important to remain cautious. I have encountered only two negative experiences since 2015, which is quite impressive considering my frequent use of the platform for the past 7 years. Despite these incidents, I have also enjoyed great deals and pleasant stays booked through Booking.com. It is essential to always read reviews before confirming your accommodation booking.