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 4,678 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.

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This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 88.1%
Positive
1,080
Neutral
10
Negative
136
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customer service (517) hotel room (62) reservation process (30) front desk (43) credit card (66) booking process (20) booking agent (31)
Thumbnail of user nkjohns7019
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 28th, 2023

The fees were about 50% of the room rate and the reserve was not refundable even minutes after the reservation was made and reservation is over 6 weeks away. Web site says "If you do not check into the hotel on the first day if your reservation and do not alert the hotel in advance, the hotel reserves the right to cancel your reservation and you may be charged the full amount." It does not say you will never be able to cancel the reservation. Only after you make the reservation do you learn that you can never get your money back. I will NEVER use this site again. Very predatory.

Date of experience: August 29, 2023

Thumbnail of user carriew462
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

The reservation was supposed to be for tonight. She made a five reservations for us for tomorrow. We paid for Ubers for 10 people and now we're stuck at a hotel that has no open rooms. Our flight was canceled and I made that perfectly clear on the phone.

Date of experience: June 11, 2023

Thumbnail of user breeannl
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

I wanted to book a specific luxury room based on photos from the website, but they were misleading. I called the service line and Giovanny helped me get the exact room I wanted and even added on two complimentary wine bottles as a gift. It was smooth and easy!

Date of experience: September 1, 2023

Thumbnail of user charlesp2082
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 30th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called the 1800 reservation number and wanted to reserve with points. Representative not only was unable to reserve for points he didn't have another number where I could. I called right back and another representative was able to fulfill my request.

Date of experience: August 31, 2023

Thumbnail of user sherryl516
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 23rd, 2023
Verified purchase

I was not expecting the customer service I received. The place I picked was sold out. I didn't expect to be able to find the perfect place for me but Nicole came through with flying colors. I will use this service again.

Date of experience: March 23, 2023

Thumbnail of user miriamg187
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 20th, 2023
Verified purchase

We check in and walked into the room it was it was disgusting had roaches and the smell of cigarettes was unbearable. We walked in and walked out. We did not stay not even for a moment. I would like management to contact me

Date of experience: June 20, 2023

Thumbnail of user dawnb1288
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 24th, 2023
Verified purchase

I called the number attached to the hotel on the internet. Thought I was calling the hotel directly. I even verified which hotel I was booking at, even asked the booking agent if this was the right hotel. I thought I was booking directly with the hotel. He booked my hotel including having my dog and quoted a price of 140.00. Guess what. Get to the hotel and found out I used a third party booking site. I had no clue. That was not stated. Oh and guess what. I still had to pay for my dog on top of what the third party charged me. So no I am not happy at all with this booking service. Horrible experience and I am mad that this happened.

Date of experience: March 25, 2023

Thumbnail of user lindac5352
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 18th, 2023
Verified purchase

I asked if she was at the hotel and she said yes. Clearly, she was not a hotel employee. She could not answer questions about the location and she said there was a mountain view. There are no mountains in eastern nc.

Date of experience: November 25, 2023

Thumbnail of user byronm139
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 5th, 2023
Verified purchase

I had a wonderful time going through the booking process with Ritchel. She was very professional and pleasant and she made me smile.

In fact if she doesn't get a raise by the next time I book through you guys then I'll never stay at one of your hotels again. Here's lookin' at you kid.

Date of experience: April 5, 2023

Thumbnail of user ivettes27
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

Deceiving information I asked for a two bed hotel room. I was assured of this and at the end when I call the hotel, they confirmed it was only one bed when I asked specifically and repeatedly for two beds.

Date of experience: June 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user rondas161
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 31st, 2023
Verified purchase

Cesar was and is fabulous. I am a chatter box and I am sure he was as busy as he could be but you would have thought I was the only person in the world right then. I hope you know how lucky you are to have him.

Date of experience: August 31, 2023

Thumbnail of user davidj3506
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

Eric was exceptionally helpful and very friendly! He was very thorough and he did a very good job of doing a lot of research to really help us find the right hotel at the right price and, most importantly, at the right location for our needs. Thank you very much!

Date of experience: June 6, 2023

Thumbnail of user barbaras3843
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 2nd, 2023
Verified purchase

Leon was exceptional. We live in Pennsylvania and our son and his family live in Austin. Our son is handicapped and they were out of power yesterday and looking for a hotel. Leon was such a huge help. Thank you.

Date of experience: February 2, 2023

Thumbnail of user robertp4908
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 27th, 2023
Verified purchase

I request three rooms with a pool view as well as having the three connecting. Neither of this happened. I only had one room with the pool view and I now I paid for all three of them to have that. Also I requested to have a military discount and that didn't happen either. I was told that there would be a restaurant on site for the evening and that also haven't the case.

Date of experience: August 28, 2023

Thumbnail of user lindseym355
Massachusetts
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 30th, 2023
Verified purchase

The room rate I was quoted on the phone was NOT the rate I was charged. I tried to request a live chat and a call back and neither happened. There does not seem to be any way to contact customer service to address it. I was over charged and there is zero follow through. I will never use this service again!

Date of experience: June 30, 2023

Thumbnail of user lesliem1245
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 30th, 2024
Verified purchase

I was having a hard time understanding the room description, she was so patient at explaining until I got it.

Date of experience: June 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user effieb20
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 21st, 2023
Verified purchase

Danielle was great and so helpful for making a booking for me after having car trouble and unable to get a reservation for my planned stop. She was able to find a spot for me and my dogs after a heck of a day!

Date of experience: May 21, 2023

Thumbnail of user crystalc915
Maine
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 15th, 2023
Verified purchase

First thing I asked was if I was talking to the hotel directly and you told me I was. Then I found out AFTER I PAID that no, you are a 3rd party booking agent who just got an extra $90 of my hard earned money in your $#*!ing pocket. I will never call you again. Not only is that shameful and disgusting it is immoral. I'd give you less than 1 star if I could.

Date of experience: June 15, 2023

Thumbnail of user brianv762
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 13th, 2023
Verified purchase

I didn't really know who I was calling. I thought it was calling the hotel but I got a customer service representative from book online and it was a quick and easy experience I needed to write. She gave it to me and told her I'd call back. She had no problem and it was just like talking to anybody locally

Date of experience: March 13, 2023

Thumbnail of user lynns1272
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 22nd, 2023
Verified purchase

I called and asked a question about a bill and she said she could not help me and was very hostile and aggressive with me. I was cool as a cucumber and told her she was being quite rude she hung up on me.

Date of experience: May 23, 2023

Thumbnail of user lauriek374
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 9th, 2023
Verified purchase

I spoke with Cesar Hernan to book a room and he is wonderful, polite and so helpful. He found us a room on the floor we wanted for our 50th Anniversary. Cesar truly went out of his way to help me.Thank you

Date of experience: July 9, 2023

Thumbnail of user nickl793
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 7th, 2023
Verified purchase

I call the Reservations phone # to ask a question about the hotel.
I am told to call the front desk to inquire.
So then I ask for the front desk phone number.
I am told she does not have the front desk #.
Waste of time

Date of experience: June 7, 2023

Thumbnail of user pattib366
Illinois
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 3rd, 2023
Verified purchase

I needed to speak to a human because I can't find my itinerary number. And I have tried 4 times to get a human and can not. I put the - star because at least you have a phone number. I need to speak to a live person!

Date of experience: August 4, 2023

Thumbnail of user brucey187
Missouri
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 4th, 2023
Verified purchase

I was overcharged for 3rd rate hotel and tried to get my money back but no one wants to help me. I explained that there's no way I'm taking my wife to this dive that I was charged over 200 for, not even worth the $55 norm rate

Date of experience: July 5, 2023

Thumbnail of user lisaj1966
Colorado
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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January 31st, 2023
Verified purchase

Lapaaris Is a bright light in this world.
She was more exuberant in her determination to find me the best deal.
I really enjoyed her joy and I felt her smile, through the phone.
She Gave me excellent customer service.
Lapaaris deserves a raise for going above and beyond what she needed to do.
Y'all have a blessed evening,
Lovin Jesus & lovin people.

Date of experience: January 31, 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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