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.

Value
Quality

Date of experience: September 20, 2022

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Overview

BookOnline has a rating of 4.6 stars from 4,678 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
1,081
Neutral
10
Negative
137
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Reviews (4,678)

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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 susang3652
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 27th, 2023
Verified purchase

Satisfied with reservation and room. Was supposed to receive two complimentary bottles of wine with this reservation. Have seen nothing. The hotel did not know anything about the offer. Not happy about that.

Date of experience: October 20, 2023

Thumbnail of user pams606
California
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2023
Verified purchase

My son was stranded 6 hours from home without transportation and then lost his bank card and was without money. After the motel folks said I couldn't pay over the phone, Nelli stepped in and arranged everything for us. She stayed on the phone while he got checked in to make sure there were no more problems.
Thanks again Nelli and God bless you!

Date of experience: March 17, 2023

Thumbnail of user charlesr2231
Maryland
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 3rd, 2023
Verified purchase

I asked specifically if this service was Embassy Suites in Winston Salem and she confirmed that she was. When I noted there are cheaper rates on line I was informed I would find out that those room are no longer available. In short the cheaper rate rooms were available. I was clearly mislead.

Date of experience: November 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user carolp1899
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

My experience with Juan was exceptional. He was very helpful, pleasant and patient! (I had misplaced my credit card.) I was booking only 10 days out and needed 3 rooms for 3 nights, which appeared not available on your website. Per website suggestion, I called the reservation number listed and Juan answered. My lucky day! He was able to book the rooms for the days I needed. And did so with a very pleasant disposition despite my temporarily misplacing the credit card I wished to use.

Date of experience: July 11, 2023

Thumbnail of user brandic254
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 25th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called to verify that what I was about to book online would actually accommodate my family of five.( I put online there was five in my family)The guy I spoke with said no and said he could book me for $120 more than what I could do online. When I asked why he was not interested in explaining it to me or helping me to book to make sure my family would fit. He basically hung up in me as he just said "thanks for calling"After traveling with my family all day, this is definitely not the type of customer service you would want to start your stay with!

Date of experience: March 26, 2023

Thumbnail of user nsncyq
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 26th, 2023
Verified purchase

I wanted to make a new reservation and you just turned me over to some else actually an automated system when I wanted to talk to a person about my situation. Didn't truly listen to me. But I need a room for tomorrow night so I will try and call again..

Date of experience: July 27, 2023

Thumbnail of user brianl2120
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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March 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

We needed a hotel for our daughter who was flying in during a possible snow storm. Amber was completely understanding of our issues and was wonderful to work with. She secured the perfect room in the perfect location and even got us free cancellation just in case the flight was cancelled due to the storm.
Thanks Amber

Date of experience: March 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user charleyh47
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 17th, 2023
Verified purchase

Michael was very professional and Courteous on the phone. He was also very knowledgeable about the Hotel reservation process and assisted me greatly with getting the best accommodation's possible.
Thanks to Michael I know my stay will be great, and we will have a great time at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Many Thanks Michael!

Date of experience: April 17, 2023

Thumbnail of user angelah2073
Kentucky
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 9th, 2023
Verified purchase

The representative Deaudra eased a lot of my concerns. I let her know about the bad booking experiences I've had. She reassured me that she would get everything taken care of. I appreciate her for that

Date of experience: March 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user eleanorb191
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 23rd, 2023
Verified purchase

Cory was both professional and accommodating. Making this reservation was so easy and I love the up-to-date technology. Too often, I get a computer voice when I make reservations. It was so wonderful to talk to a real person, especially Cory. I will definitely keep coming to this hotel! Cory did a great job! KUDOS!

Date of experience: August 23, 2023

Thumbnail of user delanow178
Jamaica
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 26th, 2023
Verified purchase

Our team contacted booking number to check for rooms and Ms Paige was quite courteous, pleasant and also helpful.

Even with the accent ( Jamaican) she was easy and patient!

Needless to say, she found us rooms at the pricepoint we set and followed up to complete the booking.

She is an asset to your team!

Date of experience: August 26, 2023

Thumbnail of user josephk1749
North Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

We were on the road for a funeral after 30 minutes on the phone with the booking agent she tried 3 times for hotels in the area we were stopping at booked us a room at days in by wind am at Ormond Beach got my credit card info reservation completed when we got to the hotel there wasn't any room available! We had to drive another hour to get another room which we did on our own..

Date of experience: April 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user conniej520
Alabama
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 27th, 2024
Verified purchase

Charged for a room for my daughter who is stranded. Was charged to my credit card $115.92. Was given no itinerary number or reservation number. Then she calls,my daughter, to say she is being told I did not pay.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: February 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user blanchyandjoseluisg
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

Ariel! Was amazing she took her time being patient with me since I'm computer challenged and have an accent. Lol I told her I needed the closes hotel to Oklahoma Wesleyan University she gave me the closes told me how many miles. She was just awesome with a GREAT attitude.
Also I never do surveys but Ariel sure deserved one.

Date of experience: April 1, 2023

Thumbnail of user patriciab4349
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 2nd, 2023
Verified purchase

This person told me that there were no rooms left at the Moxie, downtown New York. Then he told me there were no rooms left in New York unless I wanted to spend a lot of money. When I looked again on the web, it said the Moxie had plenty of rooms available. I told him this, and he told me that I should book online then, and then he hung up on me. Bravo! Well done.

Date of experience: August 3, 2023

Thumbnail of user brandic278
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 29th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called to get hotel rates for one particular hotel, unfortunately it was out of my budget. However Joanna didn't stop there, she searched and found a subtable hotel for my stay! Thanks for not giving up

Date of experience: November 29, 2023

Thumbnail of user kathleenm2431
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

Was not notified this was some booking service and you charge $30 to book, agent did not identify himself as an agent for a service, and there would be a charge for his service even when asked about high amount charge with taxes and recovery fees, a booking agency was not mentioned. This is a total scam and rip off

* BookOnline attempted to help this customer through the Sitejabber Resolution Center, but the customer did not respond

Date of experience: February 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user denisen579
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 19th, 2024
Verified purchase

Joyce lied to me when I asked if she was from the Hyatt front desk before I would make a reservation and she said yes! I specifically told her I don't deal with third parties and again said she was front desk at the hotel. Cancelled after contacting the Hyatt directly and my so called reservation was not found. The card given for payment was cancelled and the payment will not be processed

Date of experience: January 26, 2024

Thumbnail of user tambrac2
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 25th, 2024
Verified purchase

Mr. Rommell provided detailed information and honored the local business rate for my lodging. He remained courteous and professional at all times during our transaction.

Date of experience: May 15, 2024

Thumbnail of user lonnyb22
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 21st, 2023
Verified purchase

Emiliza surprised me with her efficiency. I called only to confirm the hotel I selected was pet-friendly. She found it was not, so I assumed I would continue my search, but she offered to do it for me and located a superior alternative. Thank you very much!

Date of experience: June 21, 2023

Thumbnail of user marks6148
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 26th, 2023

This service screwed up a reservation I was trying to make and then basically said I was S.O.L. ($#*! out of luck) if possible I would give them a minus 10 or lower rating. They made the mistake and want me to pay! I attempted to cancel their mistake immediately but was told they wouldn't!

Date of experience: April 26, 2023

Thumbnail of user peta3
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 22nd, 2023
Verified purchase

April was able to reserve a room for me at Comfort Inn, in Antioch, California. She was also able to search if the hotel is close to the cemetery where we are attending a friend's burial. It was a great friendly conversation. She deserve a raise!

Date of experience: June 22, 2023

Thumbnail of user cybilm
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 1st, 2024
Verified purchase

We have booked with this Hotel along with recommending it to our family members,Over the last few years. Everything thing is within walking distance, If not just a short trip on the trolley.

Date of experience: April 21, 2024

Thumbnail of user valeriat34
Nevada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 22nd, 2023
Verified purchase

Ashley her attitude was very sweet the presence was very kind he was patient and she took her time to assist me in an excellent way I thank you for hiring her maybe she be promoted to hire position you need more people like like her

Date of experience: May 22, 2023

Thumbnail of user lindaw3254
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

I spoke with Gerald who was very helpful in offering me the best deal I could get for my money. Gerald explained everything and went over my reservation step by step ensuring that I had confirmation on my reservation. He was a pleasure to deal with

Date of experience: February 11, 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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