Booking.com is one of the world’s most well-known online travel agencies, offering millions of accommodations, flights, car rentals, and more. But is Booking.com reliable for flights? How does it work? Who should use this website? This article will solve these questions and help you decide if Booking.com is a good option for booking flights.
What is Booking.com?
Booking.com is a famous booking site that helps travelers find and book various travel-related services, such as hotels, flights, etc. Booking.com was founded in 1996 as a hotel booking site but later expanded to other services. It is available in over 40 languages and supports more than 120 currencies.
This travel site aims to provide travelers with a wide range of choices, transparent prices, and easy booking processes. They also strive to offer travelers personalized offers, exclusive deals, and rewards programs.
Booking.com claims to have over 28 million property listings in more than 220 countries and territories. The company also has over 200 million verified guest reviews and over 1.6 million room nights reserved daily.
How It Works
Booking.com acts like a bridge between people who want to travel and companies that provide flights. When you look for flights on Booking.com, you’ll see a list of choices from various airlines and other websites.
You can compare and narrow down flights by looking at the price, how long the trip takes, when it leaves and arrives, which airline it’s with, and how many stops it makes. This comparison helps you choose the options that suit your need most.
When you book a flight on Booking.com, you will accept an email confirming your booking. That email tells you all the crucial details about your flight, along with a reference number. Go to the Booking.com website or app whenever you want to see your booking details and make changes if needed.
To book a flight on Booking.com, follow these steps:
- Visit the Booking.com website or app.
- Enter your travel details (destination, dates, number of travelers).
- Filter and compare options in the search results. Then select your preferred hotel or flight.
- After choosing, enter your personal and credit card information.
- Review your booking details to ensure everything is correct.
- Check for a confirmation email and manage your booking through your account (if you have one).
- Enjoy your trip!
But remember, booking flights with Booking.com doesn’t give you the actual tickets or handle the payment for the flight. Instead, you’ll get your tickets and pay directly to the airline or the website that offers the flight. Booking.com makes money by earning a commission from each flight that people book through their website.
Booking.com has more than just flights: hotel bookings, travel packages, etc. Need cars or airport taxis? Booking.com helps you find one from over 900 companies in 160 countries.
Is Booking.com Reliable For Flights?
Yes. As one of the top 10 flight booking apps, Booking.com has many pros over other booking sites – which make them a reliable option:
- Traveler Review Awards: These awards are decided by analyzing millions of verified customer reviews. They help travelers find and book the best places to stay and transport services from honest guest feedback. They also highlight the most welcoming destinations based on the number and quality of reviews they get.
- Wide Selection and Competitive Prices: Booking.com offers a wide range of flights to various places, all at great prices compared to other booking websites. It works with over 200 airlines worldwide and has exclusive deals and discounts on the app.
- Easy Comparison and Filtering: Choose the best flights by comparing their price, duration, departure and arrival times, airline, and the number of stops. You can also filter flights by cabin class, airport location, alliance membership, or refund policy.
- Useful Information at Your Fingertips: The app gives you helpful information like baggage allowance, cancellation policy, and flight status. You’ll know how much luggage you can bring, what the cancellation rule is, and if there are any delays or cancellations.
- Integrated Rewards Program: If you have a Booking.com account, ensure to earn points for booking flights and use them for your next bookings. There are also special deals and benefits for members. Plus, remember to join the Genius loyalty program for extra bonuses.
- User-Friendly Mobile App: The app is easy to use on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. Just download it for free from Google Play or App Store. Making flight reservations are easier with a click from your mobile device. It even works offline, allowing you to check your details without an internet connection.
Drawbacks You Should Know
Is there a downside to using booking com? Yes. Besides the pros above, Booking.com also has some cons that you should be aware of before booking flights with them:
- Limited Flight Information: Booking.com might not always have the most up-to-date flight routes or prices and may not show all available flights for a destination. If you find no suitable flight on Booking.com, try to book directly with the airline, as there may be other options.
- Limited Customer Support: Since Booking.com doesn’t issue tickets or handle flight payments, they can’t help with changes or cancellations. Additional fees or penalties may apply, depending on the provider’s policy. In such cases, you should contact the airline or the third-party aggregator directly.
- Price Match Guarantee Limitations: Booking.com’s price match guarantee only applies to identical itineraries with the same dates, times, airlines, and number of passengers. It doesn’t cover taxes, fees, or currency fluctuations.
- Booking Fees: When booking flights and hotels through Booking.com, they may charge a small fee that can add up over time. The cost varies based on the destination, provider, and currency. Consider booking directly with the airline or using Booking.com discounts and deals to reduce these fees.
Who Should Use Booking.com?
Booking.com is a travel platform that is suitable for anyone planning a trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling alone, with your family, for work, or with friends – Booking.com has options for all kinds of travelers. It offers accommodations, flights, car rentals, and activities, making it an excellent choice for different types of travel plans and preferences.
No matter where you’re from, Booking.com is available for people all over the world. The website and app are easy to use, so both experienced travelers and those new to booking trips can benefit from it.
Booking.com Customer Reviews
Booking.com has an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5, with over 825,000 ratings on the Apple Store. Many customers find the app’s features helpful, making it easier to find hotels. They also appreciate the convenience of using the app to talk to hotels before they arrive:
“I usually don’t do reviews; who has the time? I want to provide a review for Booking.com as it may well be one of the few experiences I’ve had in which the services far exceeded my expectations. Every encounter I’ve had has been quickly and appropriately handled with professional courtesy and superior results.” – Jahlightshines.
“I liked the functionality of this app, which helps to get in touch with the hotel before arrival. After booking, I contacted the receptionist and clarified all the details. It was easy and convenient.” – Aslam Haleev.
“I thought I didn’t remember how I searched for hotels before I installed this app. I most likely searched for hotels online by hand and then called the phone number listed on their website.
With this app, everything is much easier.” – Kwamme Shammord
However, there are still several negative reviews. Some customers had problems with their reservations when they arrived at the hotels:
“Apparently, according to the hotels, they never received all the information for my rooms. The first one had been confirmed on the way three times. Worked out in the end. The second had nothing correct & blamed this booking site. “ – Liberta56
“Poor customer service at the beginning and could not get a response for two days. But then a lovely operator replied and resolved our issue! Better customer service needed from the start!” – David C
Final Verdict
Now let’s return to the question: “Is Booking.com reliable for flights?” This review has proven that the answer is yes. Booking.com is definitively a reputable site for booking flights despite its minor drawbacks. So what are you waiting for? Visit their website right now and make your booking reservation!
