Can I make a booking for tonight?

Sure! If you’re booking for tonight, just take extra care when reading the policies and entering your information. Many properties allow you to book for tonight without a credit card. However, if you're entering credit card details for a last-minute booking, make sure you have checked the details and ensured the card is valid, as there could not be enough time to contact you in case of error. 

Can I book a hotel for day use?

No, bookings are for one night minimum stays only. Booking.com can only reserve hotel rooms, not meeting rooms or conference facilities. 

How can I make a group reservation?

Many hotels on our website can accommodate groups. Please note that the number of rooms assigned to a group varies for each hotel and that special conditions may apply for group bookings. You can view this information under Hotel Policies.

Are the prices shown on Booking.com per person or per room??

The price is for the room for the entire length of the stay, unless otherwise stated in the room type and description. 

What is included and what is not included in the room rate?

All the facilities listed under the room type are included in the room price. To see the facilities, just click on the room name. You can see if breakfast or anything else, such as taxes, are included by rolling your cursor over the text in the column called ‘Conditions’. This information will also be in your confirmation email and on ‘My Booking.com’. 

Do I pay a reservation fee to Booking.com?

No, we do not charge any fees at all. 

What does the crossed out rate mean next to my room type?

The crossed-out rate is based on the third highest current price of the property for rooms with the same booking conditions in a 30-day window around your check-in date (15 days before and 15 days after check-in date; if less than 15 days are between today and the check-in date, the corresponding number of days after the check-in date to result in a 30-day total is used). To ensure a fair comparison, Bookin.com always uses the same reservation conditions (meal plan, cancellation policy and room type). This means that you get the same room for a lower price compared to other check-in dates at the same time of year.  

Do I pay the full price for my child(ren)?

Information regarding children is located under ‘Hotel Policies’, please take note of the following:

• Added costs for children, if any, are not included in the reservation price.
• During the online booking process please place your request for any extra bed/cot in the Special Requests box provided.
• If you’ve already booked your room, just click on the link provided in your email confirmation and on My Booking.com to request an extra bed.
• We advise calling the hotel prior to arrival to guarantee your request. You will find the hotel’s contact information in your confirmation email.

We have children; can we get extra beds/cots in the room?

Information regarding children and extra beds/cots is located under ‘Hotel Policies’, please take note of the following:

• Added costs for children, if any, are not included in the reservation price.
• During the online booking process please place your request for any extra bed/cot in the Special Requests box provided.
• If you’ve already booked your room, just click on the link provided in your email confirmation and on My Booking.com to request an extra bed.
• We advise calling the hotel prior to arrival to guarantee your request. You will find the hotel’s contact information in your confirmation email.

What is a "non-refundable" or "free cancellation"?

Every room has a different policy set to it (by the hotel).

• A non-refundable policy means that a fee will apply if you decide to cancel or make changes to your booking. This fee is mentioned in the room conditions and in your confirmation.
• Free cancellation means you can change or cancel your booking free of fees, if done within time period set by the hotel. This is written in the room conditions and in your confirmation (for example "Cancel up to x days" or "Cancel before dd/mm/yy hh:mm").

Can I make a reservation without a credit card?

A valid credit card is needed to guarantee your reservation with most hotels. You can also make a booking using someone else’s card provided you have their permission. In this case please confirm the card holder’s name and that you have permission to use their card, in the ‘Special Requests’ box when making your booking. 

Why do I need to give my credit card details?

In most cases, Booking.com requests credit card details to confirm your reservation with the hotel, on your behalf. Your credit card may be checked (pre-authorised) to ensure that it is valid and/or that sufficient funds are available. After the check, the full amount will be available to you again. In some cases, your credit card details will be used to process the payment for the reservation at the time of booking. Your credit card will only be charged if you have requested a pre-paid room or if the cancellation policy, found under ‘Hotel Policies’ and room ‘conditions’ has not been followed. 

Can I use a debit card to complete my reservation?

Generally hotels cannot accept a debit card to guarantee a booking. However, there are some exceptions. If your chosen hotel can accept a debit card, you will see this option when making your booking. 

The property has charged my credit card, what should I do?

The charge you see could be any one of the following:

• Pre-authorisation: A pre-authorisation is just a validity check that temporarily blocks on your credit card an amount roughly equivalent to the cost of your reservation. The amount will be unblocked after a certain time period. How long this takes will depend on the property and your credit card provider.
• Deposit or Prepayment: Some properties require a deposit or prepayment at the time of reservation. This policy is clearly highlighted during the reservation process, and you can see it in your confirmation email as well. If you are eligible for free cancellation, this amount is returned to you if you choose to cancel your reservation.

If you feel you have been charged in error, Customer Service team of Booking.com is happy to find the best possible solution for you. Please contact it with your reservation number and details of the charge made, and they will follow up on your behalf.

What’s the difference between a pre-authorisation and an actual charge to my credit card?

Pre-authorisations are common but are often confused with actual charges. While in-store purchases are immediately charged and deducted from your available balance, pre-authorisations are temporary holds. The length of the hold will vary, and your credit card company can advise how they handle this. You may also see “pending transactions” on your credit card account summary.

In most cases, the hotel will pre-authorise your card for the full amount of your reservation. On occasion, you may see an amount slightly higher than the rate shown on Booking.com. If this does happen, the hotel can explain why this has occurred. Hotels reserve the right to pre-authorise your card, but this doesn't mean it will occur with every booking. Don’t worry, if your card is pre-authorised, both the hotel and your credit card company is there to help. They may also be able to assist you with removing these holds sooner. 

If you’re not sure if your card had been pre-authorised, both the hotel and your credit card company can verify this. Your card provider can better explain this, along with the general terms and conditions associated with their pre-authorisation procedures. These terms vary across the board, so it’s best to contact them for specific details. 

Are my credit card details safe?

Booking.com uses a secure connection for your booking:

• Your personal data and credit card details are encrypted.
• Booking.com secure server uses ‘Secure Socket Layer’ (SSL) technology, the online industry’s standard.
• Booking.com SSL certificate has been issued by Thawte.

Can I pay for my stay at the hotel with a different credit card than the one used to make the reservation?

In most cases the hotel will accept payment for the stay on a different card or in cash. Please ensure that the new card or cash is accepted by the hotel. 

How do I know my reservation is confirmed?

As soon as you have completed the booking process the confirmation page appears. This page shows all of your reservation details, including the booking number and your PIN code, so you can access your confirmation online at ‘My Booking.com’. We also send you a confirmation email with all your booking information. 

What is my PIN code and what do I need it for?

Your PIN code is the 4-digit number on your booking confirmation, which in combination with your booking number, allows you to login to ‘My Booking.com’. On ‘My Booking.com’ you can view, change or cancel your booking. Please keep your pin code confidential. 

I have booked a hotel but I did not receive a confirmation by email. What do I have to do?

Please carefully check the inbox and the spam/junk folders for the email address you provided when making the booking. You can also use booking number and PIN code shown on the confirmation page when you completed your booking to log on to My Booking.com to see all the information that would be in the confirmation email.

How can I make a special request? For example: a sea view, twin beds, room on a certain floor or dietary needs?

During the booking process you can enter any special requests into the ‘Special Requests’ box on the ‘Contact Info’ page. Once you have received your booking confirmation you can follow-up with the hotel directly to confirm that your request can be met. 

What are the check-in and check-out times of a hotel?

Check-in and check-out times differ for each hotel. You will find them on the "Hotel Policies" section at the bottom of the hotel page as well as in your confirmation email. 

I will be arriving earlier/later than the stated check-in time. Can I still check-in?

You can request an early/late check-in in several ways:

• You can specify your intended check-in time while making the reservation.
• You can manage your booking online to request a check-in time outside of the standard hours.
• You can contact the property directly, using the contact details found in your booking confirmation.

Please note that the property cannot always accommodate this request; they will be happy to let you have your room early if there is availability, but there may be nobody to welcome you if you arrive late at night at a remote apartment. It's always best to check with the property directly in this case, to avoid any disappointment. 

I want to check out after the stated check-out time. What should I do?

A late check-out can only be arranged with the hotel and usually depends on availability at the time of your stay. You can ask about the possibility and possible additionl cost at reception upon arrival. 

How do I find out if a hotel allows pets?

Pet policies are always displayed on the hotel’s page under "Hotel Policies". 

I want a smoking room however I can only choose a non-smoking room. How can I request a smoking room?

If there are no smoking rooms listed it means that the hotel does not allow smoking in rooms. 

Can I cancel or change my reservation through Booking.com?

Yes, it’s easy. You can cancel or change your booking via our self-service tool ‘My Booking.com’. Please, remember to check the hotel’s cancellation policy before making any changes to your booking. Non-refundable rooms and other special deals can have a different cancellation policy. Room specific cancellation information is included beside the room type under the ‘Conditions’ column. 

It is not possible to change the dates of stay for ‘Secret Deals’ and ‘Non-Refundable’ bookings because of their special low rates. If you choose to cancel reservations for these rooms, you may incur charges according to the hotel’s policy. 

Cancellation policy varies from room to room. Usually you can cancel or change your booking right up to 24 hours prior to arrival time. You can check what any hotel’s policy is, and whether they will charge a cancellation fee, under ‘Hotel Policies’. This information is also included in your confirmation email. Please note that non-refundable and other ‘special deal’ rooms can have a different policy. You can see specific room policies under the ‘Conditions’ column beside ‘Room Type’. 

Room specific cancellation information is included beside the room type under the ‘Conditions’ column. Please note that with special deals, the cancellation or deposit policy differs from the normal policy, so it’s wise to check both. The specific information, relevant to your booking, will also be included in your confirmation and on My Booking.com. 

How do I know that my booking has been cancelled?

Once you have cancelled your reservation you should receive an email confirming the cancellation. Please check your inbox and spam/junk mail folders. If you don’t receive an email please contact Booking.com. 

More details: Booking.com.