Booking.com

Booking.com

Price: $

Booking is one of the most popular travel Android applications out there. With a comprehensive travel platform designed to simplify booking accommodations, flights, car rentals, tours, and much more from the comfort of your living room, it truly brings everything you need for your tours in one place. With over 27 million properties listed on the app, it has a user-friendly interface with extensive search filters to find you the best possible stay for your vacation or work trip.

While criticism for Booking has been there due to customer service issues and hidden fees (due to different countries and their regulations), it is still a great option for frequent travelers.

Extensive search and filters

For an Android app like Booking, the main feature is the search engine. It is what allows it to stand out from the crowd, because that's where all the data, all the hotels, and all the flights are. Whether you are looking for a hotel for your vacation or an apartment to settle in for a temporary work trip, whether you want to filter according to price, review the rating, WiFi quality, or amenities, Booking will help you find the perfect one for you.

Flexible booking management

Booking allows users to create and manage bookings on the go. Further options include modifying the reservations or canceling them. Cancellation is often free if done before a certain time period. But it is always good to read the cancellation terms before making the booking itself.

What Booking does best is the paperless confirmation and ability to contact hosts or properties, and to streamline communication within the app itself. Despite this, it has not been that Booking is a safe haven, and there have never been any instances of mishaps and unexpected fees.

Verified guest reviews

What Booking has over its competitors is its database. What I mean by that is the number of properties listed on the app, the flights, the car rentals, and everything else, which is basically where it shines. Now that wouldn’t be complete without user reviews, which are incredibly helpful before booking anything.

With over 81 million verified reviews from real guests, the app provides valuable insights into property quality, covering aspects like cleanliness, staff, and comfort. Reviews are only submitted by users who have booked and stayed, ensuring authenticity. However, some travelers note that older reviews are archived after 24 months, and occasional fake listings or misleading property descriptions can slip through, requiring careful cross-checking.

Loyalty rewards and member-only perks

Booking has a Genius loyalty program that can unlock exclusive discounts, perks, and priority support. Once you complete the first few bookings, you are upgraded to Genius Level 1, which unlocks up to 10% discounts on selected properties. The more you use the app to book, the higher levels you will achieve, and hence, the more discounts and benefits.

Book it

Booking is a powerful application for travelers, offering a massive selection of accommodations all over the world and booking management right in the app itself. While due diligence is necessary and unexpected fees can occur, it is still one of the best places to check out hotels and bookings on the internet.

What is the Booking.com Android app best for?

Frequent travelers and deal-seekers who value convenience and variety in booking accommodations, flights, and car rentals, but are willing to verify details and read cancellation policies carefully.