Review of BookOnline: Poses as genuine hotel site then adds crazy fees
Thumbnail of user elissak12
New York
1 review
2 helpful votes
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September 20th, 2022
Verified purchase

They disguise the site URL to look like the direct hotel website in Google search. It wasn't until I saw the $150+ "tax and recovery fee" on a $214 reservation that I realized something was off. By then I'd already booked. I canceled the reservation, but the site isn't clear on whether or not they refund the exorbitant fees. For comparison, booking directly on Marriott had $34 in government taxes and fees. Bookonline.com is crazy.

Tip for consumers:
Don't. Just don't. Book anywhere else - directly with the hotel, Priceline, Booking.com, Truvago, Kayak - anywhere else.

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Date of experience: September 20, 2022

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Overview

BookOnline has a rating of 4.6 stars from 4,671 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with BookOnline most frequently mention customer service, great job, and hotel room. BookOnline ranks 4th among Hotels sites.

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 88%
Positive
1,074
Neutral
10
Negative
137
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Reviews (4,671)

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customer service (516) reservation process (30) front desk (43) credit card (66) booking process (20) booking agent (31) hotel room (62)
Thumbnail of user susans5643
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 18th, 2023
Verified purchase

I wanted to call hotel directly but all call went to 3rd party booking. We are at the hotel and the room is NOT clean! The breakfast was waffles and some cheap cereal and a coffee thing that no one could even figure out how to use. I went to desk and they were unable to refund anything because it is thru 3rd party! Never again! Had I walked in off street I would have saved about 75.00!

Date of experience: March 18, 2023

Thumbnail of user susanc4344
North Dakota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 15th, 2023
Verified purchase

Erin was super friendly and completed my reservation quickly. She answered all my questions, communicated well and was very pleasant to talk to. My confirmation email appeared by the time we hung up. Great customer service!

Date of experience: October 15, 2023

Thumbnail of user priscillaw146
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 20th, 2023
Verified purchase

Fawn was very patient with me while she provided me with the most affordable accommodations for my stay at the Hampton Hotel. She even compared prices of nearby hotels to ensure that I would be close to the main business that I desired and recreational places in Naperville. She was awesome!

Date of experience: March 20, 2023

Thumbnail of user kennyh148
Kentucky
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 15th, 2023
Verified purchase

I recorded the call. I was lied to, charged a bogus service fee, then transferred to a specialist and hung up on. Itinerary # H******* I kept telling the guy I can book on Expedia or hotels.com without a service fee. He had dogs barking in the background, lied and didn't know how to answer questions. I'm going to give Tru awful reviews online. This is the worst hotel experience I've had in 51 years and I'm a VP of Sales who travels often.

Date of experience: March 15, 2023

Thumbnail of user customers248
Customer S. – BookOnline Rep

Hi Kenny, we are sorry you had this experience. Just like when you book through a hotel directly, BookOnline must charge its customers for all applicable taxes, including any hotel taxes. Additionally, by charging a service fee for all of its reservations, we are able to offer 24/7 customer support and operate as an independent travel network. BookOnline discloses all fees and taxes as part of our checkout process. Despite our transparency, we remain concerned about your experience. Please send us a private message with your reservation information used at the time of purchase and we will respond with the next steps.

Thumbnail of user toddv315
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 16th, 2023
Verified purchase

My daughter had car trouble between San Diego at night traveling with one child and two puppies. Rochelle was very helpful, explained the pet policies and made the reservation for us. Very nice, friendly, and helpful!

Date of experience: July 16, 2023

Thumbnail of user davidn1125
Florida
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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June 4th, 2024
Verified purchase

Went online to get a hotel for our anniversary. Googled the hotel and clicked on the link that showed the nameofthehotel.guestreservations.com. Thought I was on the hotels website. Went through the choices of rooms. Deciding between bay view or not for $80, trying to make it nice but not get too out of hand. Proceeded through checkout to get my confirmation showing $247.93 in Tax Recovery and Fees. This was a resort hotel and I wanted to make sure they knew we were not going to be using the golf course. Immediately called their number and it dawned on me that this was not the hotel that I was dealing with. Asked about the fees, was told someone would email me in a couple of days. I told them to cancel the reservation. He put me on hold and told me he was going to call the hotel (lie) and then came back on and told me the hotel was not able to cancel the reservation (again lie.) After hanging up received an email minutes later saying the reservation was cancelled. Two days later received a text message that I would be getting a refund for $269 less than was charged. Called and Frank told me he would request a full refund. A couple hours later received an email saying no more money coming. Only at this point did I realize they also charged me $68.16 for refund protection (which I have never bought in my life for a hotel.) Turned it over to my credit card company today and will wait for the outcome. What a bunch of low lifes!

Service
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Quality

Date of experience: May 25, 2024

Thumbnail of user gordl7
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 31st, 2023
Verified purchase

I was blown away with the level of help I received from the rep. Did everything I asked in a professional and speedy manner. Was highly entertaining, knowledgeable, and above all competent. Truly happy. Thank you.

Date of experience: May 31, 2023

Thumbnail of user sansrah
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 20th, 2024
Verified purchase

I had been looking for a hotel that was within walking distance to the building where was scheduled to train and had an awful time with any way I searched. One person I was in contact with happened to call me and mentioned a Motel 6 she had seen. I called the 888 number, started talking, and was so stressed that she kindly stopped me and said, "you're looking for a hotel room, right? How can I help you?" I simply said I needed a hotel within walking distance of a building I would be visiting and gave her the address. She confirmed the hotel I eventually booked was 0.5 mile and asked if that was too far. I said it would work, and hung up thanking her for being so patient! I am glad I made that call - it confirmed my belief in (wo)mankind!

Date of experience: January 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user meggm2
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 29th, 2023
Verified purchase

While the young woman was very helpful, pleasant and professional, I was led to believe I was speaking directly with the hotel. She did not introduce herself as an employee with Expedia. I just called the resort to extend our stay and the front desk explained that my current reservation was booked through Expedia. The front desk was so surprised to see that I didn't book directly with them as I had previously.

I find this dishonest and misleading.Best to have your reservationists clarify during the booking.

The good news is that our room was booked, however, it could've been a lot easier to just extend, rather than have to make a second reservation.

Products used:
Resort

Value

Date of experience: June 29, 2023

Thumbnail of user k.c.v
California
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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November 16th, 2023
Verified purchase

I was looking for a hotel room at the last minute because of a family emergency. We needed a suite for three people with two rooms. Trisha was able to search her entire system and find a good place for not a fortune. On her own, she rejected the first place she found because it was a Fortune's. I got extraordinary service.

Date of experience: November 16, 2023

Thumbnail of user michellec3420
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called your reservation line. I spoke with Brandon. He was very pleasant. I would call back again to talk with him. Y'all need more jetted tubs in your rooms. I called to find out how I could get a room with a jetted tub and they are all booked. And what is going on in Anderson, South Carolina that every room you have is booked? Granted I'm only staying one night I'm coming down for a friend's birthday party, But I have no tubs in my home. I have showers so I enjoy finding a hotel with a tub. Big tub. I'm not a little girl. But Brandon was very nice and very helpful. I'm just looking around at other hotels before I called back cuz I do like the Hilton..

Date of experience: June 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user stevend1641
Arkansas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

We had problems with my card but Courtney was very patient and continued to work with us. She is an awesome representative for your company and does a wonderful job with laughter and good communication the world needs more like her she was very understanding and polite made it a good experience and helpful and I'm thankful for her services.

Date of experience: April 6, 2023

Thumbnail of user janetr1549
Oklahoma
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 4th, 2023
Verified purchase

Late in the afternoon realizing my try at booking previously in the day didn't go through. (Probably due to low battery on my end) However, when I got to town and realized what happened, a quick call to a very polite and nice woman helped me out! A few minutes later I was at the motel and checked in to a very clean and nice room! Thank you!

Date of experience: August 4, 2023

Thumbnail of user barbaram3610
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 30th, 2023
Verified purchase

Ivonne was very helpful. I had some type of issue when it came time provide credit card info thru the iPhone but Ivonne helped me out and we had a few laughs. She was very patient with us which was appreciated. I think the amount you charge to make a reservation 'refundable' is a little exorbitant as well as the amount you charge for a pet. We travel a lot and have NEVER had to pay $75 - not even $50.
I hope we are not disappointed with our stay in July and are looking forward to seeing family.

Date of experience: June 30, 2023

Thumbnail of user douglasb1101
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 13th, 2023
Verified purchase

When th SS Badger suspended service for the rest of 2023, I wasn't going to be able to make my reservation here. The SS Badger and Best Western Ludington MI had no issues giving me a refund. I've called three times during regular business hours to try to cancel this reservation. I'm told that I can't get my $708.08 back. My only option is to reschedule, and that only a manager can do that. But the manager isn't there, and hasn't made any attempt to contact me. My family vacation time is wasted this year, because I can't get my money back from this place to use for something else.

Products used:
None

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: August 14, 2023

Thumbnail of user robertl5344
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 18th, 2024
Verified purchase

I do not like the way that your site come in as Booking.com. Once you book something you then see it is not booking.com. But bookingonline.com. I had a bad experience with bookingonline.com. I will never do business with you site.

Date of experience: April 8, 2024

Thumbnail of user koryandtonyp
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

Yosman did an amazing job helping me book a room for my family. Even though I booked over the phone, Yosman was so welcoming, professional, funny, kind and super helpful. We are visiting from Arizona and he was able to make my worries of our hotel stay disappear. Definitely an asset to this company. Yosman, if your reading this... Thank you for your help and I hope you are there when we arrive. You are doing a great job

Date of experience: April 6, 2023

Thumbnail of user donnao1061
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 5th, 2024
Verified purchase

I've already called 4 times and I cannot get the help I need. I need to schedule a reservation and they keep transferring me to a number. That only allows you to check your reservations instead of helping me book my free night award.

Date of experience: January 13, 2024

Thumbnail of user shajuant
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 22nd, 2023
Verified purchase

My experience with this gentleman was very good he was very helpful and polite his energy was great he made sure that I was completely taken care of and informed! I would absolutely hire Corey as an employee if I had a customer service company!

Date of experience: June 22, 2023

Thumbnail of user chamele
Indiana
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

Joyce was extremely helpful. She was courteous, professional and patient with all my questions and concerns. Room was secured, emails and texts immediately sent to verify all information we spoke of while still on the phone. I was pleased.

Date of experience: June 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user bettem44
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

The last leg of a very long flight was canceled in Chicago and I contacted her for help and she bent over backwards to find the rooms I needed. This was not an easy task since many, many flights had been cancelled. We were extremely grateful as we had been traveling over 25 hours.

Date of experience: June 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user nancyg2567
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

Marianne was awesome! She was so helpful and patient. I explained to her that I am a senior citizen and that some of the internet hotel bookings were not very user friendly. She was so understanding and made booking our three rooms fun! GREAT service!

Date of experience: March 6, 2023

Thumbnail of user kathyr1293
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 19th, 2024
Verified purchase

Great service. Wonderful to speak with someone who spoke good English!

It was disappointing that my original room selection was not available….we didn't find out till we tried to pay. That was not Penny's fault.

Date of experience: February 19, 2024

Thumbnail of user jeanpierret7
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 20th, 2023
Verified purchase

I am not very familiar with the use of electronic support and not fully bilingual but we success due to everyone 's patience and determination to the reservation of 5 rooms for my guests. Thank you very much Michael!

Date of experience: January 20, 2023

Thumbnail of user shannonc1083
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

Hotel doesn't show my reservation! Never received an email with confirmation either. Can't contact anyone to correct it, sends you to an automated where they take your message but never contact you back! Can't cancel bc it's non refundable!

Date of experience: March 29, 2023

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From the business

BookOnline is an independent travel network with access to rooms in thousands of hotels and approximately 200 countries worldwide. Our goal is to help you find the best value in travel accommodations online for destinations around the world. We offer locations in over 200 countries as well as thousands of great properties here in the United States of America.

BookOnline is focused on bringing our customers the most current and relevant results for their hotel needs. We do this by investing in technology and systems to create a better buying process in a secure environment. We have developed an intuitive web design for multiple devices that hopefully aid in your ability to find the information you need and book the property at your convenience. This technology also allows us to create dynamic results for our advertising, allowing us to show you the most relevant results for your search.

The end result is you find the property you are looking for with a minimal number of clicks and zoom right through into the checkout on your phone, tablet, or computer. Enjoy Book Online and all that we offer. We hope to add to our list of growing happy customers.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user customers248
Customer S.
Typically responds within 2 days

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