Beware booking.com

[True Dough]

I've seen some nightmares posted at DU about discount websites. I'll add booking.com

I have to take partial responsibility because I made a hotel booking late last night while too tired. I intended for the hotel room to be booked tonight and booked based on the default setting, which was actually Aug. 13. Now, I have seen other websites set their dates a week ahead but this one brought up no calendar or anything to highlight the actual date. It was very quick and simple.

When I looked at the confirmation email, that's when I realized the error and I also noticed for the first time that it was a NON-REFUNDABLE booking! So then began the process to get things rectified. I checked booking.com's website. No phone number in sight. It encourages you to contact them online.

So I called the hotel. The gentleman at the desk was sympathetic but couldn't do anything due to the third-party booking. He did, however, provide me with the elusive phone number: 1-888-850-3958 (you might want to file that away if you plan to ever use booking.com)

I dialled and was on hold for 20 minutes. Finally got a representative. Bottom line, the switching of date to tonight was successful so I was lucky. That said, if there was nothing available for tonight, I would have been out of pocket $108 for a non-refundable Aug. 13 hotel room.

Beware!

[tonyt53]

1. Thanks for sharing this!

[TexasBushwhacker]

2. They also advertise on Hannity

Another reason to not use them.

[Sneederbunk]

3. I used this website recently.

Two reservations. Both cancelable until 24 hours before dates. Did not pay until check-in. Your problem may have been as to specific motel or an offer where you pre-pay to get a reduced rate. I don't care where they advertise.

[True Dough]

4. This is good information

I did get a reduced rate but there was nothing making it obvious that the room was non-refundable. As I mentioned, it was a very quick and smooth booking process, no calendars, no obvious disclaimers. I'm sure it's all there if you look hard enough for it, but I created this thread as a heads-up for those like me who are unaware of booking.com's options and practices.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. All the travel websites offer prepaid vs pay at hotel and some prepaid are non-refundable

I've used Booking, Hotels, Expedia, etc. and never had a surprise because... and I'm not trying to sound snarky... you have to read the not-fine print.

From Booking.com, I noticed...

[OnDoutside]

7. Yes and each step it points out whether it is free to cancel or not.

[OnDoutside]

6. On the other side, I've been using Booking.com for the last 5 years

and am really happy with them. So simple to use, but I am careful to make sure it is a changeable room, even though it costs more than the non refundable one. I'm off to Leicester, England for a rugby match in December, but I can only guess the weekend at the moment. Booking.com is useful to book a number of weekends where it is free to cancel.