Booking.com - no protection

davelewis

Also different room types that are available direct and not to booking.com. Again the Premier Inn Saver rooms are a good example - they do not offer them to booking agents - only direct. They can legally get away with this as the Saver rooms are non refundable rooms - different terms and conditions to the flexible rooms they offer to booking.com. Booking.com 'best price guarantee' excludes room types that have different terms and conditions - such as premier inn saver rooms. Therefore booking.com will not match a saver room rate.

Same with Ibis hotels that offer 5% off their best room rate if you join their hotel membership scheme (free to join). Booking.com will not match these room rates as they are 'members only rates' - excluded from the best pric guArantee.

Moral of the story - use Booking.com to check room availability but always check the hotels own website direct to see if they have rooms not available to the booking agents.

dawyldthing

And check trivago in case there's other sites that do it cheaper still (many do have further offers the on)

Moto2

I'm in hotels 2 or 3 times per week, pretty much every one is cheaper booked direct.
Booking.com to find them then either on-line or telephone to make the booking. Even a 'walk in' is often cheaper than booking.com

zagfles

Moto2 wrote: »

I'm in hotels 2 or 3 times per week, pretty much every one is cheaper booked direct.
Booking.com to find them then either on-line or telephone to make the booking. Even a 'walk in' is often cheaper than booking.com

I've often checked direct and the website price is usually the same, but guess you can often negotiate deals on the phone or by email. I'd be surprised if they advertise cheaper prices than booking.com for the reasons above.

Walk-in rates are nearly always cheaper if you haggle and the hotel isn't full and there is lots of competition in the area. That's a different ball game...

Moto2

Just looked for Wednesday in Dundee

Best Western Queens
Double room, flexible

Booking.com - £70
BW website - £60

I'll go direct thanks

Moto2

Thursday night - Hamilton

Avonbridge Hotel
Double room flexible

Booking.com £68
Direct £59.50

I don't expect I'll find any different on my travels next week either

Andypandyboy

Probably because Booking.com are on cash back websites, such as Quidco, so the difference goes there.

zagfles

Moto2 wrote: »

Thursday night - Hamilton

Avonbridge Hotel
Double room flexible

Booking.com £68
Direct £59.50

I don't expect I'll find any different on my travels next week either

Interesting - however - try putting 2 adults in. The booking.com price stays the same at £68, whereas the direct price goes up to £73.50 !! (both flexible inc breakfast)

The Dundee one doesn't seem to have flexible rates any more (as it's tomorrow I guess).

Moto2

zagfles wrote: »

Interesting - however - try putting 2 adults in. The booking.com price stays the same at £68, whereas the direct price goes up to £73.50 !! (both flexible inc breakfast)

The Dundee one doesn't seem to have flexible rates any more (as it's tomorrow I guess).

I'm never with anyone else so don't check for 2
However, the point remains that booking.com doesn't in a lot of cases have the same pricing structure - and from my experience (for 1 guest) is dearer than booking direct in most cases in the UK.

HGS

Zagfles, I am not going to include the whole story but the contract was for credit card payment and the host demanded cash on arrival. This was extra cost. The apartment advertised as luxury was nothing close, the pictures were selective and misdirecting. I was told off for using the heating. I stated I was not happy with the unreasonable demands and the host became extremely unpleasant. Booking.com refunded me because I contacted them throughout and followed their advice stating they would support my loses etc. Having paid in cash the host continued to be unpleasant and after 3 days I asked to be relocated.
However despite all the proof, I was not allowed to review any of the story and none of the mis advertising has changed. So Booking.com so far are making money from a lie.

That is not morally acceptable as I was fooled into booking and others will continue to be also.

Instead of taking the approach that "I'm all right Jack" I am still pressing Booking.com to protect others and require the host to be honest and less obnoxious. Yes, the host admitted her behaviour was unacceptable and no booking.com have not suggested I acted in any improper manner.

I don't pay cash as there is no protection yet if someone demands cash or will throw you out what can you do. For reference if they call the Police to throw you out booking.com will not get involved at all even if you are 100% honest.

So I have cancelled my account as time and stress wasnt worth the saving which actually I didn't even need having chosen the place because it was closest to where I needed to be.