Booking.Com Refund

jackmcrory

Hello, I made a booking for an apartment for 2 days in Italy during the Olympics. I paid by bank transfer direct to the property. I had my suspicions before travelling that it was a scam due to lack of communication from the property. Sure enough I arrived at the property and no one was there. I have been trying to get a refund from Booking.com for 6 weeks now. I have sent them all the requested documentation - more than once. But am still waiting for a refund (£1300). Can anyone advise my rights and who I can go to to threaten legal action. Thank you

born_again

As you paid direct to property owner 🤷‍♀️ then you have no claim against BC.

Not even sure if bank would even refund in this case.

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6661397/booking-com-refund

Why did you pay direct to the property? Was that a process booking.com told you to follow, or did the property message you and get you to go outside booking.com systems to pay the costs?

oldernonethewiser

Can you clarify what part booking.com played in this?

Did you merely use it for finding the property or was it booked though them before paying for the property directly?

Isthisforreal99

So you didn't pay booking.com anything but expect them to refund you?

Good luck with that.

born_again

TBH, many properties are paid direct, rather than through BC.

jackmcrory

Booking made through Booking.com but payment direct to property as per Booking.com instruction. This is how a lot of bookings are managed through Booking.com

flaneurs_lobster

So if booking.com offer no protection from giving your money to a crook, why would you ever book through them?

Are the rates better than booking direct? Are some properties/hotels only ever listed on booking.com?

Some kind of loyalty bonus/discount?

lincroft1710

 But am still waiting for a refund (£1300). Can anyone advise my rights and who I can go to to threaten legal action.

You'll be waiting a long time! You paid no money to Booking.com, so they will not refund you. There are plenty of threads on this and other boards about the perils of booking through Booking.com. The only party you should take legal action against is the owner (or supposed owner) of the property whom you actually paid. If they are based in UK you may have some chance of success, if in Italy, will be very difficult.

elsien

whenever I have gone through Booking.com, I’ve always paid by credit card. Never done it by bank transfer.

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938523#Comment_81938523

Because it's a convenient place to find available properties and associated reviews?