About Booking.com
Booking.com makes up a transparent and affordable traveling marketplace you can advertise your properties on. This makes it a great fit if you want to reach out to a global audience without having to cough out more bucks, as it offers a one-stop shop for travelers.
For instance, it has over 100 million users each month, partners with airlines, showcase properties on Google Maps and promotes properties on search engines. One of the big disadvantages of Airbnb is that you have to pay the full amount of your stay when booking.
This can mean you’re paying for accommodation months before you use it and you are only eligible for a refund if the host allows it in their booking policy (however, Airbnb does allow for a full refund within 48 hours of booking regardless of the host’s cancellation policy).
On the contrary, many hotels on Booking.com don’t require upfront payment meaning you can book accommodation without paying a cent!
Overview of Booking.com
Booking.com is a Dutch online traveling agency that connects property owners to travelers looking for accommodation. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Booking.com has been in the market for over two decades.
Booking.com strives to make it easy for travelers to find the best workplaces, accommodation, hotels, and Villas at affordable prices. Currently, the company has made over 28 million listings, and the site is available in over 43 different languages.
The company has been successful in connecting property owners to travelers worldwide. Additionally, it has also successfully provided property owners with the necessary automation to successfully offer accommodation and maximize their earnings.
Pros
- Provides transparent, innovative, and supportive partnership; for instance, by providing the tools required for
- 24/7 support and visibility.
- Turns its global audience into your guests, for example, through professional online marketing and continuous innovation
- Provides attractive partnership rates which can increase your properties visibility
- Attracts more guests to your properties by offering loyalty programs that provide travel rewards
Cons
- Lots of listings on one website can overwhelm potential guests; hence, reduce the possibility of your property coming out strongly.
- Payout delays or issues among property owners
How Does Booking.com Work?
Whilst Airbnb is usually the cheaper option, you can often get some amazing deals on Booking.com if you book in advance. Many budget hotels are significantly discounted which is quite different from Airbnb where there are never explicit sales on accommodation.
You can even get great deals if you’re booking within a shorter timeframe but are not travelling during a peak period. During our time in Bulgaria, we got a great deal on a really nice boutique hotel because we were staying mid-week rather than on the busier weekends!
Booking.com allows you to;
- Publish your listing on the platform.
- Market your property to potential travelers or tenants.
- Reach a global audience when your listing is live.
- Maximize your earnings on the platform.
- Have full control over your property availability and rates.
- Create an account for free and get started on the platform.
Who is Booking.com Best for?
Booking.com is best for property owners who want to attract high-paying travelers or tenants to generate cash from their properties. It is also best for travelers who want to avoid extra fees and enjoy great discounts when looking for accommodation or a place to stay during their travels.
One of the nice things about booking a hotel through Booking.com is that once the booking is done, there’s little you need to do before arriving. This is unlike Airbnb, where you need to contact your host, make sure that they’ll be home when you arrive and possibly get specific instructions about how to get to their property.
Sometimes, particularly after a long flight, it’s nice not to have to worry about any of that and simply be able to check into a room with minimal hassle.
What Can You Rent With Booking.com?
- Holiday or temporary rentals
- Hotels
- Business apartments
- Buses, trains, or airplanes
- Airport Taxis
- Rental Cars
- And Restaurants
One of the problems with using Booking.com is that if you’re on a budget a lot of the places tend to be less spacious and often sterile and lacking in character.
One of the things we love about using Airbnb is that every place is unique and has a homely atmosphere which is quite a contrast to many budget hotels which will usually have quite a similar feel to each other.
How Much You Can Earn With Booking.com?
Your total earnings will depend on the total booking you secure per month. You can make $1500 per month renting out your property on Booking.com. For example, you can earn up to $379 for renting your apartment in Sun Spalato, Croatia or $217 for your Villa in London.
You can also make an additional $500 per month as an affiliate by sharing Booking.com deals on your blog. The daily booking rate for a hotel in the US is $130. If 4 guests use your affiliate link to book a 1-night stay, the booking price will be $520. Booking.com will earn $78 from the amount suppose your property falls under 15% commission.
Booking.com Benefits: What Does Booking.com Offer?
Instant Confirmation
This feature allows your potential guests to make their reservations in real-time using an online e-payment gateway. This feature allows guests to make more reservations within the shortest time possible. Statistics point out that many potential guests often prefer speed and convenience when scouting for accommodation.
Relatively Affordable Rates
Nothing can eat into your business’s profits like an expensive service. Low rates make booking a steal, considering the commission you have to part with when using the platform. On average, you’ll remit 10% to 25% commission on every reservation you make.
Incredible Selection
It’s no secret that Booking.com is one of the biggest travel marketplaces for both established business people and brands.
Therefore, being part and parcel of the platform allows you to showcase your property to a global audience. For this reason, you’ll be in a position to select whoever you want to do business with, which can increase your profitability.
Secure Booking
Booking.com has put in place security measures to prevent fraud from happening.
For example, the integration of Booking.com live’s secure payment gateway secures online transactions by not keeping any bank details and directing you towards a trustworthy and secure payment gateway.
24/7 Support
The platform offers 24 hours a day, seven days a week support to property owners and guests. It offers the following services to enable such:
Live chats allow you to engage with customer care service agents regarding your bookings on a real-time basis to solve the issues at hand.
Phone service: For any urgent matter, the platform has an international and local service number where you can lodge your complaint to allow instant action.
Booking.com Fees: How Much Does it Cost to Use Booking.com?
Depending on property location, the platform charges a 10% to 25% commission fee on every deal you make. You’ll get an invoice detailing how much commission you owe the agency each month to pay up. In this model, a guest will pay a reservation fee through the platform, either before their stay or after their visit.
Booking.com Requirements?
- Add quality photos to show off your property’s best side.
- Accurately fill out the hosting profile.
- Make communication easy.
- Be available to answer questions and provide assistance to your tenants.
- Adhere to local rental laws.
Booking.com Payout Terms and Options
Booking.com pays you via direct bank deposit or by Virtual Credit Card (VCC).
Bank Transfer
To receive your funds via bank transfer, you will need to set up your payment dates. If you set up to receive;
- Monthly payments; your earnings will be processed before or by the 15th of each month after guests check out of your property.
- Payments 4 times a month; your earnings will be processed on the 6th, 9th, 18th, and 27th of each month after guests check out.
- Funds weekly; your earnings will be processed every Thursday for reservations where guests have checked out.
Virtual Credit Card (VCC)
A Virtual Credit Card is an “e-MasterCard” linked to an actual credit card on your account dashboard. It functions on the same principle as a credit card and helps you receive your payments online.
Virtual Credit Card allows you to receive your payments after guests make a booking and pay for it online. After the payment is made, the company sends you the VCC along with guest booking details and the exact amount for that particular booking.
You will be charged a transaction fee of 2% to 3%, depending on your local rental laws and any additional fees charged by your bank.
Booking.com Reviews: is Booking.com Legit?
Booking.com is a reliable and effective marketing listing platform for your property. It has a 4.6 rating on Google Play Store, 4.8 rating on App Store, 4.9 rating on Uptodown, and a 3.2 rating on ConsumerAffairs.
Most property owners liked the platform’s low commission rates. Other property owners also praised the company’s customer service, which attends to issues and problems on time.
On the contrary, some property owners disliked the platform’s listing mode since it makes it difficult to navigate through the site. Others also complained of getting fleeced on the platform. Overall, Booking.com is safe and legit.
Booking.com Reviews: is Booking.com Legit?
Booking.com is a reliable and effective marketing listing platform for your property. It has a 4.6 rating on Google Play Store, 4.8 rating on App Store, 4.9 rating on Uptodown, and a 3.2 rating on ConsumerAffairs.
Most property owners liked the platform’s low commission rates. Other property owners also praised the company’s customer service, which attends to issues and problems on time.
On the contrary, some property owners disliked the platform’s listing mode since it makes it difficult to navigate through the site. Others also complained of getting fleeced on the platform. Overall, Booking.com is safe and legit.
Booking.com pays you via virtual credit card once a guest makes a booking and pays for it. You can then charge the virtual card as you normally would to get the exact amount for that particular booking.
What Are the Booking.com Pros & Cons?
Booking.com Pros
- Provides transparent, innovative, and supportive partnerships.
- Responsive customer support is available 24/7.
- It assists you in marketing your property on the platform to reach a global audience.
- Regularly offer loyalty programs to guests.
Booking.com Cons
- Lots of listings on one website overwhelm potential guests.
- Payout delays among property owners.
How Good is Booking.com Support?
Booking.com has an active social media platform where users can engage, ask questions and receive answers from the Booking.com support team. It also has a help center page with FAQs, articles, and blogs to help you learn more about the site and how it works. You can also contact the support team via email or phone to get answers to your questions
Booking.com Review Verdict: is Booking.com Worth It?
Booking.com is a transparent, reliable, and recommended marketplace where you can list your properties. You can make $1500 per month renting out your properties to travelers or tenants. You can also make an additional $500 per month as an affiliate by sharing Booking.com deals on your website.
Additionally, you will be charged a commission fee of 10% to 25% on every deal you make on the platform. While it does not have a minimum withdrawal limit, it offers two payment methods; bank transfer and Virtual Credit Card. With that said, Booking.com is a legit and trustworthy online traveling agency site worth trying.
How to Sign Up With Booking.com?
- Visit Booking.com in the top right corner of your browser, and click Register.
- Enter your email address. Click continue.
- Enter your details, including full names and phone numbers, and click Next.
- Generate a strong password for your account, and click Create an account.
- On your account dashboard, click “List your property” under the “Type of Property Tab.” Follow the steps to add your listings and listing details. Submit your account and listing for review.
- Once approved, add other details to your listing, like the availability, calendar and prices, or adjust your listing as required. You can then make your listing go live on the platform.
Booking.com vs. AirBnB
Airbnb’s monthly potential earnings are $924 compared to Booking.com, whose monthly potential earnings is $1500. Airbnb and Booking.com are legitimate and recommended platforms for renting items online. Both Sites are free to sign up and use.
While Booking.com has 28+ million listings, Airbnb only has 5.6 million listings. Like Booking.com, Airbnb also has a liability coverage fee of $1 million. As for service fees, Airbnb has a service fee of 20% compared to Booking.com, which has a service fee of 10% to 25%.
Booking.com FAQs
Is Booking.com reliable and safe?
Booking.com is a reliable travel agency that has been around for a long time.
Can you be scammed on Booking.com?
As an intermediary entity that connects millions of guests with property owners, there are chances you can be conned. For instance, Booking.com has admitted to having compensated its customers; because of being ripped off by criminals.
Are Booking.com reviews real?
The platform maintains that all its reviews are honest and reflect what clients think about them.
How long does it take to pay owners?
Booking.com processes your payments one day after the checking-in date, but funds might take up to 7 working to reflect on your account.
Does Booking.com charge cancellation fees?
Booking.com does not charge guests for canceling their bookings.
