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5.2

Overall Score

Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: January 26th, 2022

Booking.com is based out of Amsterdam and is owned by the renowned Priceline Group (which also owns a number of other online booking and travel sites/services). Booking.com is backed by an extensive support system around the world by 165 offices in 63 countries. Booking.com seeks to be the world leader in booking accommodations online since 1996 and guarantees the best prices for any type of property including small, family-run bed and breakfasts to executive apartments. Booking.com is available in more than 40 languages and offers more than 640,000 properties in 212 countries. The online travel company not only is available for independent and family travelers, but also for business travelers as shown by its homepage. 

Keep reading for pros and cons, plus Booking.com reviews from real customers. 

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The Good

  • One-Stop Shop
  • Free Cancelations
  • Language and Currency Catering
  • Suggestions
  • Mobile App
  • Filtering

One-Stop Shop

Booking.com has created a one-stop shop for travelers looking to research, book, and subsequently manage all of their travel accommodations. The platform also allows travelers to "explore designations" which allows travelers to get the most out of their next vacation.

Free Cancelations

Sometimes, travelers are hesitant when making travel arrangements due to the fear that something may come up and they will not be able to go on their trip. With Booking.com, users no longer have to suppress this apprehension as they allow free cancellation on most rooms. This option gives travelers the ability to make changes if needed. This is not an additional to cost for users either, whereas most booking agencies do require a hefty fee for this added backing.

Language and Currency Catering

Another plus travelers experience when using Booking.com is its catering to the language and currency needs of international travelers. Their currency calculator helps travelers figure out just how much a foreign vacation will end up costing. Booking.com is consistently updated with the top currencies in the world such as the:

  • U.S. Dollar
  • Euro
  • Singporean Dollar
  • Pound Sterling
  • Canadian Dollar
  • Australian Dollar
  • Property's Currency

While these are not the only currency configurations provided through Booking.com's tool, they are the most used. Other currencies Booking.com allows for include: Argentine Peso, Brazilian Real, Chinese Yuan, Jordanian Diner, New Israeli Sheqel, and Thai Baht. In addition to "translating" the financial figures, Booking.com also allows users to set the language feature. Language translation is provided in: French, German, Russian, Latvian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese.

Suggestions

Booking.com also sets itself apart from other travel agencies due to its search engine which allows travelers to decide where to travel to based on their interests. It also lists several suggestions on its destination finder page with reasons why a customer may be interested. For example, Booking.com will most likely recommend Las Vegas to a traveler interested in:

  • Gambling
  • Entertainment
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Museums
  • Adventurous activities

Mobile App

For the mobile traveler, Booking.com's app (available for both Apple and Android users) allows travelers to easily switch between their computer, smartphone and tablet.The mobile app makes offline confirmations possible eliminating the need for printers and internet when checking in. It also makes it easy for travelers to add extra night who aren't ready to return home or cancel a booking. Creating and signing into a Booking.com account makes it possible for travelers to sync:

  • Previous searches
  • Viewed hotels
  • Stored credit cards

Filtering

Booking.com also includes a feature that allows travelers to specify the type of travel they are looking to book. For example, travelers can specify whether the trip is for business or pleasure which helps sort and narrow down results to provide the best research listings. This helps users save time during the research portion of the trip management.

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The Bad

  • No Rewards Program
  • Complaints
  • No Complete Travel Protection Services

No Rewards Program

Although it has a vast offering to travelers everywhere from Indonesia to France, Booking.com does not have an established rewards program like its competition. The best customers can experience is a 10 percent discount at many hotels for being a Booking.com genius. Regardless of how loyal a customer may be, there isn't a significant return for regularly choosing Booking.com.

Complaints

Booking.com helps thousands of travelers each month plan, manage, and even alter their travel plans. With the sheer volume of users, there are still holes that come with a large-scale service. Common complaints of those who use Booking.com for their online booking needs include:

  • Incorrect descriptions of accommodations
  • Incorrect processing of payments
  • Loss of money due to exchange rates

No Complete Travel Protection Services

While travelers can change and cancel hotel reservations (some exclusions apply), they do not offer a complete travel protection service available for purchase. That means that if a user books flights or rental cars, they are not necessarily going to be able to back out of that reservation. Travelers need to be aware of the stipulations attached to each hotel's cancellation policy contrary to Booking.com saying is easy to cancel or change bookings. Customers may not have insurance in the case of:

  • Booking cancellations
  • Less than satisfactory rooms
  • Fire
  • Damage to property or loss of property
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The Bottom Line

Booking.com provides a number of valuable tools and resources for those starting the vacation research process. Their website includes insight into specific destinations and also has features where travelers can get ideas for their upcoming trip. While they are missing a number of services commonly found on other online booking sites, users cannot ignore the simple interface and sorting tool the reduces the time spent conducting research. Booking.com does understand the international market and helps customers book hotels in their own language and use their own currency for greater convenience. Travelers interested in boarding options in more than 200 countries and more than 600,000 properties just might appreciate the platform. Those that use Booking.com can expect the following from the service:

  1. Sorting, currency, language tools
  2. Travel Management
  3. Bundle and save option
  4. No travel insurance
  5. No rewards program

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Star Rating

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4.2

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70 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

56%

4 grade

26%

3 grade

6%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

6%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Alisse Buffalo, NY

Booking.com application on my android cellphone helped me find last-minute -- I mean like 2am-- hotels while visiting Paris, when our flight out was scrubbed. And these rooms were nice, at a good discount. I found the booking process easy and accurate. No spam resulted. Booking.com was a godsend. It's great that you can see lots of color pictures of the hotel under consideration and learn all about its offerings, and if you are booking in advance, you can cancel without penalty until very close to the date of your arrival.

8 years ago

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Brandy Tallahassee, FL

I've used booking.com to book a hotel when I was traveling to Florida and it was a very peaceful process. I like the fact that they provide me with different options of rooms and shows me the price of all the rooms on one page so I could choose which one works best for my budget. would recommend!

5 years ago

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Lisa C Johnson Windsor Mill, MD

Whenever I need to go out of town, I always use booking.com. It is so easy to navigate their website. I just give a location and a date. Then just pick the hotel with the best price and/or rating. I have used it so often that the website automatically recognizes me. There may be better ones out there but I like this one because it is very easy to use. When I get to the hotel I am always registered.

5 years ago

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Rischelle Mikkelson American Fork, UT

I have used booking.com for several business and family trips. I am always able to find the location I need in my budget. The way they do options on rooms makes it very clear what the price is, what the cancellation policy is, and type of accommodations you will be receiving. Both the desktop and app versions are very user friendly and easy to navigate.

7 years ago

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Shopman Herriman, UT

Booking.com is a great way to book your hotel room. I like that they will let you communicate with your hotel without sharing your email. I also like the rewards I earn by using them for multiple stays. The site also saves my family info, this is a nice feature.

4 years ago

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Debbie Farrow ,

I work in the travel industry and it is always worthwhile to check Booking.com. Their inventory is always increasing. I love the fact that they know have actual homes that you can rent for your vacation stays. This gives travelers other alternatives.

5 years ago

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Dee Farquharson Washington, DC

Love Booking! I like that I can book a room and cancel it within 24 hours without penalty. That kind of freedom of choice is excellent. The interfeace is easy to use and i can compare prices an amenities easily. I definitely go to them first for booking hotels.

7 years ago

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Kimberly Bronson Idaho Falls, ID

Best site to use for traveling abroad. Loved my alerts and mobile app. Made my travels so easy. The hotels were exactly as how they appeared online. THANK YOU!

8 years ago

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CoachTrista Saratoga Springs, UT

Booking.com is my go to for travel. The rates are always the best and I can easily cancel if our plans change. Its hard to find a discount site that is so good with refunds and cancellations.

5 years ago

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Jungle55 Coeur d'Alene, ID

Always have a great experience with Booking. Easy to book, always offer great prices and have never had a problem with the rooms. Recently used for last min booking in a busy tourist town, and still received great pricing!

5 years ago

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Dominique Denver, CO

I used booking.com this summer to plan a road trip with a friend. This app helped us plan every detail! We were able to find affordable, but nice places to stay, and they kept track of all our reservation details.

6 years ago

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Kate Lillywhite American Fork, UT

Do you want to save money on your next excursion? Then make sure you consult booking.com! It will save you a headache and money by knowing that you are getting the most for your money.

6 years ago

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Brittany Wilkinson Herriman, UT

I love using booking.com when I am planning our family vacations. I love seeing the hotel ratings and reviews to know if it fits our travel criteria. Booking.com makes is super easy to book a vacation at the best price.

6 years ago

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Ashley Ulibarri Sandy, UT

Booking.com is one of my favorite places to go to when looking and booming hotel rooms. The site is very user friendly and my favorite thing is that I can book a room without being charged right away.

6 years ago

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Myken American Fork, UT

I use Booking.com when booking a night or two at a hotel. I like how they pull up the total price so there are no surprises when you check out. The app is easy to use makes booking travel easy and fast.

6 years ago

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Luna Rockville, MD

It saved a lot of money for us. It gave us a great deal when we book hotels on this website. It provides a vivid description and many pictures of the hotel to help you to find out what it looks like.

6 years ago

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Fernando Delgado Tempe, AZ

I can always count on Booking.com if i cant find a place to stay thru other websites. I can always find a place and for a really good price on booking.com and very easy to book.

7 years ago

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The Bean Spiller Provo, UT

Their website made it very easy to book a hotel through them when I recently took a trip to southern Utah. Very clear process, and great organization on their website

5 years ago

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Amy Gardiner Germantown, MD

I have used booking.com to find hotels at a great deal for volleyball tournaments and college visits. EAsy to use, reliable and easy cancellations should plans change

5 years ago

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Marniwho ,

I have used booking.com lots of times. I love feeling confident that my bookings will be protected. On our NY trip we even got surprise upgraded with booking through them.

5 years ago

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Kellie Payne Pickerington, OH

I use this every time o book a hotel. It’s a safer platform to avoid credit card scams while booking and I’d definitely recommend for international travel

5 years ago

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Dayna Salt Lake City, UT

We use booking.com often when booking hotels. They are similar to the other travel sights but seem to have an easier process and better customer service.

6 years ago

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Bianca Seattle, WA

Very useful when it comes to trip planning and choosing the hotels and locations to visit. Appreciate and recommend!

6 years ago

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Rick

Have booked dozens of rooms through them with not a single problem. Always helpful. Excellent values.

7 years ago

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Tami Thurgood Herriman, UT

Great website to help compare prices of flights, hotels, etc. I like the ease of the website and that it can help me find what I want quickly.

4 years ago

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Nashali Vescovacci Fort White, FL

Booking.com helped me easily find affordable hotel offers. The reviews for each hotel are also very helpful and the website is very straightforward.

4 years ago

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Jodianna Maitland, FL

Nice to see good hotel options for getaways. I can see and also book a variety of locations for a trip and choose the best one that fits me.

5 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Joannetta Jarman Secaucus, NJ

We use this site a lot for booking things last minute. Very organized website and good for making last minute decisions.

5 years ago

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Mason Allen Provo, UT

The easiest way to get the cheapest price on hotels and vacation rentals. Great filter options that find you the best option available.

5 years ago

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McKenzie ,

Very easy to go online and book my hotel room. We had no issues and the hotel was great just as booking.com guaranteed it would be.

5 years ago

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Jon Posey Riverton, UT

I love booking.com, their app is easy to use and their prices are solid. I did an entire Europe trip using them and will do it again.

6 years ago

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matthew Logan, UT

booking.com has good prices on flights. not to expensive and easy to get confirmation code. easy to navigate the website and find flights.

7 years ago

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karen

excellent service. Very flexible and easy to cancel. VEry fast response and refund.

7 years ago

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Cdavid St Louis, MO

Booking is easy to use. I search many different sites when looking for hotel and booking has very competitive prices.

5 years ago

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Jon Moreno Sandy, UT

How easy the app is and how many great deals they always seem to have. We always use booking.com for our getaways!

6 years ago

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Steven Klaproth Phoenix, AZ

Love using booking.com. They always provide great descriptions and photos of adventures and trips.

5 years ago

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Emily Turn Kamas, UT

For a third party site it’s not bad - easy communication and booking processes. Recommend!

6 years ago

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Kathy Trout New Orleans, LA

I have always been pleased with the rates and service with Booking. Their rates are among the best.

6 years ago

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Evergreen Oak Creek, WI

Always book my vacations with this service. Great company!

7 years ago