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 4,674 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
1,077
Neutral
10
Negative
137
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Reviews (4,674)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (516) reservation process (30) front desk (43) credit card (66) booking process (20) booking agent (31) hotel room (62)
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

Thumbnail of user matthewl1561
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 7th, 2024
Verified purchase

Cesar did a good job booking the room for my wife. She was stuck on a tarmac waiting to head into Dallas after many delays and he was able to get her into a warm room for the night. He was pleasant and sympathetic to our plight.

Date of experience: March 7, 2024

Thumbnail of user julieo586
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 4th, 2023
Verified purchase

Alek was great! Easy to talk to, courteous, and gave me all the info in needed. I have to call back shortly to make the reservation because I don't have my credit card, but I will definitely be booking for the first time! Can't wait!

Date of experience: September 4, 2023

Thumbnail of user jackeen2
Mississippi
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 22nd, 2024
Verified purchase

Paul booked my reservation outside of the wedding party block. When I tried to make changes within 10 minutes I was denied. I've never experienced anything like this before and I feel that I should be able to make the changes needed being it wasn't an error on my part.

Date of experience: December 26, 2023

Thumbnail of user susanw3426
Colorado
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 15th, 2023
Verified purchase

Carlos is very professional and friendly. He put an effort to find the best deals for me which it helps my budget. He is a great asset to the team. He cares about his customer's needs. Thank you Carlos and God bless.

Date of experience: May 15, 2023

Thumbnail of user winniek18
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

Cory first of all could not find the hotel and then he gave an incorrect quote. I had just checked using a different agent. Then when I questioned he insisted it was the correct price( $269 when I booked it for $185).

Date of experience: August 2, 2023

Thumbnail of user christinem3115
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 21st, 2024
Verified purchase

She was extremely helpful explaining the Reservation. It was so funny the last time I made Reservation was 2017, she brought me up today. I called my friend's and told them about my experience. My children or grandchildren usually me hotel Reservation for us. I learned something new

Date of experience: February 21, 2024

Thumbnail of user mikem4257
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 18th, 2023
Verified purchase

Called very late for a room in Mt Pleasant, WI but needed pet friendly room. Was told it was available but when I showed up was told no pet friendly rooms were available by site Manager. Was told I should have called front desk and not 1-800 number to book. That needs to be fixed so both are on same page. Fortunately, they found a room to accommodate me but was not an easy process.

Date of experience: June 18, 2023

Thumbnail of user pamelah2102
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

The young man was wonderful answered all my question politely and professionally. You could hear his smile on the phone. Had a this is what I can do for you attitude. I was a call center supervisor for 15 years and would have loved to have him on my team.

Date of experience: July 1, 2023

Thumbnail of user brendend10
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

I specifically asked if I was booked directly with Marriott and Nahomie's answer was yes. The. I proceeded to pay Booking Online (not knowing it was them). This is considered fraud.

Now if I want a refund, they are charging a penalty fee.

Please help. Thank you

Date of experience: November 17, 2023

Thumbnail of user sarahn1336
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 18th, 2024
Verified purchase

She was so eager to get me off the phone that she hung up before finishing her sentence. She texted me a number that was supposed to be to the front desk, but was not. When clicking on the link she sent, it went to a call center for something unrelated. When I tried to call the number by entering it directly, the person who answered was annoyed and still not the right place. It was like she was trying to get me to write off the hotel.

Date of experience: March 8, 2024

Thumbnail of user kathys2379
Missouri
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 5th, 2023
Verified purchase

Amanda was a great help to myself and to my family very far from home. She quickly answered all questions, checked distance to the hospital from the hotel, when I was in a very stressed out situation. She kindly waited until I checked that I had received the confirmation on text and email before leaving the call. Thank you.

Date of experience: July 5, 2023

Thumbnail of user kpp16
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2023
Verified purchase

We had booked a hotel off of pictures and reviews. Got to the hotel and it was less than stellar. We could not stay there. So we called best western. And we were greeted by a real person that expedite reservations to a near by hotel. We very great full for the help and enjoyed our getaway with less stress. Thank you for your help.

Date of experience: March 17, 2023

Thumbnail of user sallyl353
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 17th, 2023
Verified purchase

Samara was very polite but as I mentioned I was a Hilton member and questioned the fees being so much - I was shocked to find out the total amount should have been $168.96 instead I was charged $236.46 that's a significant difference- I will be checking with Hilton to determine what recourse I have- this was an urgent situation for my elderly brother who was without AC in 110+ heat

Date of experience: July 18, 2023

Thumbnail of user wayneh837
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 9th, 2023
Verified purchase

Two evenings ago I had the good fortune to connect with Robert while seeking lodging at the Fairfield Inn while touring the Shenandoah Valley. It was late Friday evening and the type of room I wanted was not available in my budgeted price range. So Robert graciously offered to assist me in finding a room in my price range in the area. After making a few calls he managed to find accommodations for me & my traveling companion; and he secured our reservation so all we needed to do was present ourselves at the Inn he arranged. He indeed went above & beyond my expectations with his generosity of time & caring to insure we had a place to stay the night! 'World class service!

Date of experience: July 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user patb937
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2024
Verified purchase

Well, the booking agent told me that there was two complementary bottles of wine. When can we checked in when I got to the hotel they don't know anything about it. So I think that was a ploy just to get us to come to this particular hotel, I don't appreciate that at all.

Date of experience: December 12, 2023

Thumbnail of user maryw3897
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 28th, 2023
Verified purchase

It was absolutely uplifting talking to zolia.
I called to make a reservation and not only was Zolia professional to ensure my needs where met she extended courtesy and consideration above any other agent I have met. She is personable and friendly and made me appreciate how servicing others could be joyful. Truly enjoyed the experience.

Date of experience: July 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user alexiaw27
Kentucky
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 8th, 2023
Verified purchase

DO NOT book through this $#*!ing company. They are crooks. They charged us exorbitant fees that they couldn't explain later, at time of booking they were supposed to be for the pet fee at our hotel. Our hotel later tried to KICK US OUT because they didn't know about the pets even though our understanding because of these $#*!s games is that that we had already paid for our animals. The company had taken all our money and none of it went towards our stay. It also stated in our reservation from booking through them that we had pets as well. In. Sane. We were charged even more money by the hotel. Absolute nightmare of an experience, and unbelievable. The girl on the phone was nice and sounded like she was trying to help us get a good deal. Don't fall for the tactic. They are liars. Lies. All lies.

Date of experience: July 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user kuac1
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 29th, 2024
Verified purchase

I asked for reservation details. He stated nothing available today. I asked when is there availability he stated he doesn't know and to call back tomorrow to see if there is availability tomorrow 🤔. I was dumbfounded by his response. His non caring attitude did not help. I literally told him, worse reservation experience ever.looks like an amazing hotel, but if reservations is tgat bad, how is the hotel customer service. Ill never know!

Date of experience: January 5, 2024

Thumbnail of user shirleyr1005
Delaware
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 9th, 2023
Verified purchase

Called to inquire whether your inn had a pool and airport shuttle service as advertised on website. Was told yes to both questions. Called again today and was told no to both questions. Unfortunately we booked last night after getting teases to our questions. Don't understand why we were given wrong info.

Date of experience: July 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user larrys2355
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 4th, 2024
Verified purchase

I went online to try to make a reservation. I needed two beds. None more available. However he did a great job in finding me a room with two beds through a cancellation. Much appreciated

Date of experience: May 25, 2024

Thumbnail of user nathanielt94
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 1st, 2024
Verified purchase

Called to seek status of job inquiries and applications I put in. Was kindly referred to customer service, however phone hung up. Please reach out to me at *******823. Very much interested in working at Hotel Indigo in Alexandria, VA and availble to start immediately.

Date of experience: January 25, 2024

Thumbnail of user kimmberlyw
California
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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August 3rd, 2023
Verified purchase

Giovanna was super friendly and knowledgeable of all hotel in area the rooms kept selling but she stayed with us and found us nice room for best price how we don't worry about finding a suitable place Thank You Giovanna

Date of experience: August 3, 2023

Thumbnail of user colleenw172
Connecticut
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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August 2nd, 2023
Verified purchase

Xavier was extremely nice and professional on the phone. The whole process to book a new reservation for me at the Clarion Inn in Seekonk MA took less than 4 minutes. Great job Xavier and I really appreciate your professionalism and friendliness - not to mention how efficient you were!

Date of experience: August 2, 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.

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