Booking.com is a global online travel agency that specializes in lodging reservations and related travel services. It lists millions of properties worldwide, including hotels, apartments, villas, and other unique places to stay, often with flexible cancellation options and a price-match promise. Here are key points to know if you’re using Booking.com:
- What it offers
- Lodging: Hotels, apartments, hostels, guesthouses, villas, and unique stays.
- Travel extras: Flights, airport taxis, rental cars, and activities in some markets.
- Booking management: In-app and online management of reservations, with options to modify or cancel where allowed.
- How it works
- Search: Enter your destination, dates, number of guests, and filter by price, star rating, guest reviews, amenities, location, and more.
- Compare: View multiple properties side by side to find the best value.
- Booking: Reserve a property and receive a confirmation with the reservation details; many properties offer free cancellation on qualifying rates.
- Support: 24/7 customer service in multiple languages.
- Pros and considerations
- Pros: Extensive selection, competitive prices, user reviews, flexible filters, mobile app for on-the-go bookings.
- Considerations: Some prices may be shown as “pay at hotel” or “prepay now,” so verify payment terms at checkout; always check cancellation policy for the rate you select.
- How to maximize savings
- Use filters to narrow to flexible cancellation or no-fee rates.
- Look for “Genius” member discounts or mobile-exclusive deals (varies by region and availability).
- Read recent guest reviews for insights on location, cleanliness, and service.
- Booking Holdings ecosystem
- Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings, which also operates other travel brands like Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, Rentalcars.com, and OpenTable. This broader network can influence pricing, inventory, and loyalty programs across platforms.
If you’d like, share your destination, travel dates, budget, and any must-have features (e.g., Wi-Fi, parking, pet-friendly), and a tailored set of recommended properties and how to filter them on Booking.com can be provided.
