Booking.com is the larger, more feature-rich platform with AI integration and better mobile pricing, while Hotels.com excels with its loyalty rewards program and hotel-focused inventory. Both are excellent choices, but Booking.com edges ahead for overall value and selection, whereas Hotels.com is ideal for frequent hotel bookers seeking rewards.
Booking.com vs Hotels.com — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global accommodation booking platform offering 28.5+ million hotels, apartments, and diverse properties with standardized pricing and transparent policies.
Specialized hotel-booking platform with industry-leading free night rewards loyalty program.
Primary Focus. Mobile Pricing Advantage. Loyalty Program. AI Integration. Listing Inventory. User Base Size. Reward Points Value. Search Trend Growth (2026)
Booking.com emerges as the superior all-around platform with broader accommodation options, AI-powered personalization, and exclusive mobile discounts that can save 15-30% on bookings. However, Hotels.com is the clear winner for dedicated hotel bookers who prioritize loyalty rewards and hotel-specific benefits. Choose Booking.com for versatility and value; choose Hotels.com for hotel-focused savings and rewards accumulation.
Booking.com: Yes, official guarantee | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 28 Million+ | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: $21 Billion | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 500+ airlines (limited) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 5-15% bundled discounts | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 4.6/5 stars | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 1-4 hours average | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 12-15% projected | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Ultra-personalized curated trips | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Excellent - upfront pricing | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Green travel options, eco-friendly filters | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 28+ million properties | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: ~20-30% of bookings | Hotels.com: N/A
Required Price Premium to Match Profitability
Booking.com: 15-20% price increase needed | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Older (business/professional focus) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Lower frequency (longer stay focus) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 7+ nights (typical for business/intl) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Limited options (stricter) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 67% use both | Hotels.com: N/A
Hosts Earning More From Multi-Platform Strategy
Booking.com: Only 23% earn more listing on both | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Diverse (business/leisure mix) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Lower frequency | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Longer (extended stays) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Low (advance notice typical) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 15-20% markup needed | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 67% dual-listed | Hotels.com: N/A
Hosts Reporting Increased Revenue From Dual-Listing
Booking.com: Only 23% see higher total revenue | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: After guest checkout | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 28+ million properties | Hotels.com: 800,000 hotels
Booking.com: 30% offer mobile-only prices | Hotels.com: Not available
Booking.com: 1% cash back | Hotels.com: 10% bonus points
Booking.com: 300+ million users | Hotels.com: 150+ million users
Booking.com: Advanced (2026 focus) | Hotels.com: Basic
Booking.com: 43 languages | Hotels.com: 38 languages
Booking.com: 85% of properties | Hotels.com: 90% of hotels
Booking.com: 4.3 stars | Hotels.com: 4.2 stars
Booking.com: 220M+ total properties | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 220+ countries | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Double-digit growth projected | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Direct booking only | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Advanced AI-powered (2026 focus) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Direct on-platform checkout | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 24/7 comprehensive support | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 1 night (flexible) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 48 hours (standardized) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 4.4 stars | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 4.6 stars | Hotels.com: 4.6 stars
Booking.com: Up to 12% | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 231 million | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 2-4 hours (24/7 chat) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Variable (0.5-2x) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Full offline access available | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 7.5+ million | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: -3% (cheaper) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: Basic integration, separate checkout | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 4.5 stars (450k+ reviews) | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 10% Genius account credit | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 28.5 million | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 220 million | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 180+ million | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: 14 days standard | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: $68.5 billion | Hotels.com: N/A
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Hotels.com
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Standard 3pm (limited exceptions)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Included in quoted rate
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Standardized professional service
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Guaranteed reliable (2026 standard)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 10% toward free nights
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 6-9 minutes
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Limited options (meta-search only)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: $26 billion
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 88% of bookings
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 14% of OTA bookings
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 2,000,000+ properties
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 10% cashback on select properties
Average Price Difference vs Direct Booking
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: +8% higher than direct chain booking
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 5-10% of stays (non-member bookings)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 24-48 hours on most bookings
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Not applicable (cashback model)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 10 nights for Hotel Rewards elite
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 3-4 core perks at elite level
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 10-15 bookings
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 4.2/5 (2026)
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Not available
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 4.6 stars
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: 2-3 hours
Booking.com: N/A | Hotels.com: Hotels only
How to choose between Booking.com and Hotels.com
Booking.com vs Hotels.com — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Booking.com vs Hotels.com. Contains 112 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Booking.com vs Hotels.com — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Booking.com vs Hotels.com.
Which is cheaper, Booking.com or Hotels.com?
Booking.com generally offers lower prices due to its larger inventory and aggressive price-matching policies. Hotels.com counters with its One Key rewards program, where every dollar spent earns reward cash redeemable on future bookings, effectively reducing overall costs for loyal users. Booking.com also frequently features 'Genius' loyalty discounts of 10-20% for repeat customers. For the best value, compare both platforms before booking, as rates fluctuate. Budget-conscious travelers who book frequently may find Hotels.com's rewards system delivers better long-term savings despite potentially higher upfront prices.
Booking.com is generally considered better than Hotels.com for most travelers due to its significantly larger property inventory, covering over 28 million listings including hotels, apartments, and hostels worldwide. It also offers stronger cancellation flexibility and more transparent pricing. However, Hotels.com edges ahead for travelers who prioritize a streamlined rewards program and prefer a curated hotel-focused selection. Booking.com suits international and adventurous travelers, while Hotels.com appeals to those seeking straightforward hotel bookings with cashback-style loyalty benefits.
Which platform is better for last-minute hotel bookings?
Booking.com is typically the stronger choice for last-minute hotel bookings, offering a wider range of available properties and a dedicated 'Last-Minute Deals' filter that highlights discounted same-day or next-day reservations. Its mobile app also features exclusive app-only prices that can be significantly lower. Hotels.com provides competitive last-minute options through its app as well, but its inventory is narrower. Travelers in major cities may find comparable deals on both, but for smaller towns or international destinations, Booking.com's broader network gives it a clear advantage.
What are the key updates to Booking.com and Hotels.com in 2026?
In 2026, Booking.com expanded its AI-powered trip planning assistant, offering personalized itinerary suggestions integrated directly into the booking flow. It also enhanced its sustainability filters, making eco-certified properties easier to discover. Hotels.com, operating under the Expedia Group umbrella, continued strengthening its One Key rewards ecosystem in 2026, allowing points to transfer seamlessly between Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo. Both platforms improved their dynamic pricing transparency tools, helping users identify the best time to book. These updates reflect a broader industry push toward personalization and cross-platform loyalty integration.
Which is better for booking hotels in Europe, Booking.com or Hotels.com?
Booking.com dominates the European hotel market and is widely considered the superior choice for travelers visiting Europe. Founded in Amsterdam, it has deep-rooted partnerships with European properties, including boutique hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and family-run guesthouses rarely found on competing platforms. Its European inventory is substantially larger than Hotels.com's, and many properties offer flexible, free-cancellation rates ideal for changing travel plans. Hotels.com remains a decent option for major European cities, but for off-the-beaten-path destinations across Europe, Booking.com's breadth and local relationships make it the clear winner.
How to Choose Between Booking.com and Hotels.com
Primary Focus: Booking.com has Diversified (hotels, flights, apartments, experiences), while Hotels.com has Hotels-focused.
Mobile Pricing Advantage: Booking.com has 30% of listings offer exclusive mobile-only discounts, while Hotels.com has Standard pricing across devices.
Loyalty Program: Booking.com has Genius rewards (generic discounts), while Hotels.com has Get a Room rewards (hotel-specific benefits).
AI Integration: Booking.com has Advanced AI personalization (2026 focus), while Hotels.com has Basic search filters.
Listing Inventory: Booking.com has 28+ million accommodations globally, while Hotels.com has 800,000+ hotels worldwide.
User Base Size: Booking.com has 300+ million annual users, while Hotels.com has 150+ million annual users.
Reward Points Value: Booking.com has 1% cash back on bookings, while Hotels.com has 10% bonus points on hotel stays.
Search Trend Growth (2026): Booking.com has Steady 25% YoY growth, while Hotels.com has 445% spike for summer events.
Booking.com is the larger, more feature-rich platform with AI integration and better mobile pricing, while Hotels.com excels with its loyalty rewards program and hotel-focused inventory. Both are excellent choices, but Booking.com edges ahead for overall value and selection, whereas Hotels.com is id