**Beware of the Middleman: A Cautionary Tale on Booking.com** In today’s technology-driven society, the convenience of booking accommodations online has become an integral part of the travel experience for countless adventurers. With just a few clicks, travellers can secure a place, whether a quaint hotel, a cozy cabin, or a luxurious resort. However, lurking beneath this surface-level ease is a stark and disturbing truth: not all online booking platforms operate with the best interests of their users in mind. The Setup Booking.com, a significant player in online travel, touts itself as a reliable resource for finding ideal accommodations. Yet, it often complicates the booking experience, entangling travellers with dissatisfaction and unforeseen financial repercussions. This cautionary tale seeks to expose the underlying practices of Booking.com, serving as an essential warning for anyone planning their travels through this platform. The Scene Picture this scenario: you’re casually browsing the Booking.com website or app. A charming hotel or an inviting private property catches your eye; its vibrant pictures and glowing reviews excite you. Relying on your level 2 Genius member status, you might feel confident that you’re accessing the best options and deals available. However, this apparent privilege can swiftly turn into a double-edged sword. Booking.com employs a sophisticated algorithm to monitor your loyalty and spending patterns meticulously. As a result, you become a prime target for specially curated offers that may not necessarily align with your personal preferences or needs. Rather than guiding you toward accommodations that meet your expectations, the platform may cleverly direct you toward subpar options, increasing the likelihood of cancellations. With every failed booking, Booking.com benefits from non-refundable fees, trapping you in a frustrating cycle where excitement transforms into anxiety over imminent cancellations. This is compounded by the fact that the eye-catching visuals and selectively positive reviews can obscure the reality of your chosen accommodation. Where is our money A peculiar process unfolds once you enter your credit card information and complete the booking. The platform collects your payment upfront, using your credit card details to secure later transactions with the property owner. However, a significant catch exists: the property owners do not receive their funds immediately. Instead, they could be left waiting days, weeks, or even months to receive payment. This delay means that you are left unaware that your money is caught in a convoluted transactional quagmire, raising questions about the transparency and reliability of booking.com when they do not refund your money once your plans changed, excusing by " strict no refund cancellation policy from the host." The hosts did not receive their money yet. The Cancellation Nightmare Now, envision the scenario in which you need to cancel your reservation. This is where the true nightmare commences. When you initiate the cancellation process, Booking.com swiftly reveals a harsh reality: non-refundable charges based on the stringent cancellation policy enforced by the property host. Frustration and despair wash over you as your travel plans unravel before your eyes. To exacerbate matters, you receive an email from Booking.com that suggests you make a new booking while they diligently negotiate with the host on your behalf to secure a refund. Let me repeat that. It’s crucial to remember that Booking.com owns your money, while the host remains oblivious to your payment information. Feeling a mix of curiosity and skepticism, you contact the host directly. To your surprise, they could have easily adjusted your reservation dates without any hassle. The realization strikes you like a bolt of lightning—Booking.com was aware of this flexibility yet chose to mislead you, enticing you into another transaction that primarily benefits them while obstructing your ability to communicate directly with the host. Limited Host Access Adding to the mounting frustration is the significant limitation imposed on hosts when managing their reservations through Booking.com’s system. Many hosts cannot modify bookings independently or respond to urgent guest issues, relying heavily on the intermediary platform to relay communications and make essential adjustments. This dependency often results in slow email exchanges, fostering misunderstandings and delays that leave both hosts and guests at the mercy of the middleman. Instead of creating a fluid, direct interaction, the platform robs both parties of their money and peace of mind. A Personal Experience Gone Awry Having traversed this disheartening landscape, I can share a personal account that underscores the grim reality of this system. I once booked an apartment through the Booking.com app, entrusting them with over $1,000 in hopes of a restful escape. However, upon my arrival, I was confronted with an apartment that bore little resemblance to the enchanting description and alluring visuals that initially drew me in. Heartbroken and uneasy, I spent 45 minutes there before deciding to leave. In pursuit of a resolution, I contacted Booking.com immediately, providing extensive evidence of the discrepancies through photographs and video documentation. Unfortunately, their response was both disheartening and dismissive; they strictly referenced the host’s cancellation policy, which stipulated no refunds. It’s essential to note that the host had not yet been compensated; they had no access to my credit card information. Booking.com would not disburse the funds to them until they ensured their members stayed all the duration; if less, then the host will be paid less, so there are upfront payments from us to Booking.com, but no upfront payments from Booking.com to the host. In a paltry attempt at reparation, they offered me a mere $100 in compensation—a sum that felt more like a slap than a genuine acknowledgment of my loss. Moreover, I later uncovered troubling information regarding Booking.com’s practices, which often reveal that they do not fully compensate hosts for cancellations or may only pay them a minuscule fraction—typically around 20%—of the total reservation cost after a cancellation. This middleman platform retains the lion's share of the funds while skillfully hiding behind the “host cancellation policy” to deny refunds to customers like myself. This leaves us feeling trapped and deceived and serves as a cautionary reminder to be vigilant and cautious when using such platforms for travel arrangements. The Genius Membership Trap One of the most insidious aspects of Booking.com is its Genius membership program. Initially, it may seem like a fantastic way to save money and access exclusive deals. However, as you make more reservations and spend more money, you inadvertently expose your preferences and habits to the platform. This data is then used against you, presenting misleading offers designed to fail, knowing your likelihood of cancelling is high. Each cancellation means more money in Booking.com's pocket, all while they hide behind the guise of advocating on your behalf. Conclusion In conclusion, Booking.com is a profit-oriented platform that manipulates what you see and read to maximize profits. They play a deceptive game, positioning themselves as your advocate while treating both members and hosts as mere pieces on a chessboard, moving them as they see fit. My personal experience reveals the grim reality of using this platform, and I strongly urge you to consider alternative booking methods to avoid falling into their trap.