Booking Com
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About Booking Com
Booking.com is the world's largest online travel agency by revenue, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Amsterdam. Owned by Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG, parent of Priceline, Kayak, Agoda, OpenTable, and Rentalcars), Booking.com lists 28+ million accommodation properties (hotels, apartments, vacation rentals, hostels, B&Bs) across 220+ countries and territories. Booking.com is particularly dominant in Europe, where it holds approximately 65% of the online hotel booking market. The platform offers free cancellation on most bookings, no booking fees for travelers, and the Genius loyalty program (10-20% discounts after 2-5 stays). Booking.com generated $21.4 billion in revenue in 2023 with operating income of $7.3 billion. The platform is known for granular search filters, transparent pricing, and a pay-at-property option that lets travelers reserve without immediate payment. Critics note that hotels typically pay 15-25% commission to Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Booking.com or Expedia better?
Booking.com is better for: international hotels (especially Europe), broader inventory, free cancellation defaults, and pay-at-property options. Expedia is better for: US travelers, package deals (flight + hotel + car bundles), and Expedia Rewards loyalty (more flexible than Genius). Both source from the same hotel partners but show different prices based on commission deals. Always compare both on important bookings — pricing differences of 5-15% are common, and you can save by booking on whichever is cheaper for that specific stay.
Does Booking.com charge fees?
Booking.com does not charge a separate booking fee to travelers — the price you see is the price you pay (with taxes shown clearly before final confirmation). Hotels typically pay Booking.com 15-25% commission, which is built into the room price. Some specific properties may charge resort fees, city taxes, or cleaning fees that are clearly disclosed before booking. Book direct with the hotel sometimes saves a small amount or unlocks loyalty benefits, but Booking.com's price match guarantee usually applies if you find a lower price elsewhere.