Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to read booking platform price display and fees
Booking platform price display is the price, tax and fee information an online travel agency shows before you confirm a booking; on Booking.com, the customer terms say that when you book, you agree to pay the cost of the travel experience, including any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4] Booking.com's customer terms of service were updated on 25 August 2025. [2] [4] They set the general price and payment rules for bookings made on the platform. [2] [4]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- On Booking.com, the booking price is the cost of the travel experience plus any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4]
- Some prices are rounded for display, but the amount charged is based on the original non-rounded price. [2] [4]
- A crossed-out price shows the price of a like-for-like booking without the reduction applied. [2] [4]
- Where a service provider requires an upfront payment, it may be pre-authorized when you book and may be non-refundable. [2] [4]
How does Booking.com display prices, taxes and charges?
The general price and payment terms sit in section A and apply to all travel experiences; Booking.com also has separate sections for accommodation, attractions, car rentals, flights and private or public transportation. [2] [4] When you book, you agree to pay the cost of the travel experience, including any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4]
| Price label | What the terms say |
|---|---|
| Price shown at booking | You agree to pay the cost of the travel experience, including any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4] |
| Rounded price | Some prices may be rounded to the nearest whole number; you pay the original, non-rounded price, and the difference is tiny. [2] [4] |
| Crossed-out price | The price of a like-for-like booking without the price reduction; like-for-like means the same dates, policies and quality of accommodation, vehicle or class of travel. [2] [4] |
| Obvious error | Errors and misprints are not binding; a premium car or luxury suite mistakenly offered for $1 may be canceled, and anything paid is refunded. [2] [4] |
| Upfront payment | The service provider may take or pre-authorize payment when you book, and it may be non-refundable. [2] [4] |
Booking.com says it gets information from service providers and cannot guarantee that everything on the platform is accurate. [2] [4] To the extent permitted by law, it says it is not responsible for errors, interruptions or missing information, although it will do what it can to correct them as soon as possible. [2] [4]
What payment terms and extra charges can change the amount you pay?
For some products and services, the service provider will require an upfront payment and/or payment during your travel experience. [2] [4] If Booking.com organizes the payment, it or an affiliate manages it and ensures completion of the transaction; in that case, the payment is the final settlement of the due and payable price. [2] [4] If the service provider charges you, that will usually happen in person at the start, but your card could be charged when you book or you could pay when you check out of your accommodation, depending on the provider's upfront payment policy as communicated in the booking process. [2] [4]
An upfront payment may be taken or pre-authorized when you book and may be non-refundable, so the provider's policy needs checking before you book; Booking.com says it does not influence that policy and is not responsible for it. [2] [4] The provider's policies also cover age requirements, security or damage deposits, additional supplements for group bookings, extra beds, breakfast and pets. [2] [4] These policies appear on the provider information pages, during the booking process, in the fine print, and in the confirmation email or ticket. [2] [4]
Cancellation and no-show fees depend on the provider's policy. [2] [4] Some bookings cannot be canceled for free, while others can only be canceled for free before a deadline. [2] [4] If you pay in advance, including all price components and/or a damage deposit, the provider may cancel the booking without notice if it cannot collect the balance on the specified date; any non-refundable payment is then refunded only at the provider's discretion. [2] [4] You are responsible for making sure the payment goes ahead on time, with correct card details and enough money in the account. [2] [4]
If the currency selected on Booking.com is not the same as the service provider's currency, Booking.com may show prices in your own currency or offer Pay In Your Own Currency. [2] [4] You can check the conversion rate during checkout, in the Booking Details of your account, or in the email Booking.com sends if you do not have an account. [2] [4] If Booking.com charges fees for those services, the fee is expressed as a percentage over European Central Bank rates. [2] [4] Your card issuer may also charge a foreign transaction fee. [2] [4]
How do you compare the final payable amount?
Check these points before you confirm:
- Check the checkout total, because the booking price includes any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4]
- Check who will charge you and when; if Booking.com organizes payment, it describes the payment as the final settlement, but if the provider charges you, timing depends on the provider's upfront payment policy. [2] [4]
- Check the currency and conversion rate, and note that currency service fees are expressed as a percentage over European Central Bank rates and your card issuer may add a foreign transaction fee. [2] [4]
- Read the provider's cancellation, deposit and extra-charge policies during booking and in the confirmation email or ticket. [2] [4]
- If you are paying in advance, make sure the balance will be collected on the specified date; otherwise the provider may cancel without notice and refund non-refundable amounts only at its discretion. [2] [4]
What are the limits of a displayed price?
- The terms are Booking.com's general customer terms updated 25 August 2025; separate sections apply to accommodation, attractions, car rentals, flights and private or public transportation. [2] [4] Other online travel agencies and airline or hotel direct-booking sites are outside this page.
- Booking.com is not a party to the terms between you and the service provider, and the provider is solely responsible for the travel experience. [2] [4]
- Information on the platform comes partly from providers and may contain errors; Booking.com cannot guarantee that everything is accurate and, to the extent permitted by law, is not responsible for errors, interruptions or missing information. [2] [4]
- If you are not on time, Booking.com says it is not responsible for associated costs such as cancellation or provider fees; it advises you to contact the provider if you expect to be late. [2] [4]
- Obvious pricing errors and misprints are not binding. [2] [4]
Frequently asked questions
Does the Booking.com price include taxes and charges?
The terms say that when you book, you agree to pay the cost of the travel experience, including any charges and taxes that may apply. [2] [4] The provider's policies are shown during the booking process and in the confirmation email or ticket. [2] [4]
What does a crossed-out price mean?
It indicates the price of a like-for-like booking without the price reduction applied, meaning the same dates, policies and quality of accommodation, vehicle or class of travel. [2] [4]
Why might my card be charged before I arrive?
A service provider may require an upfront payment, which can be taken or pre-authorized when you book and may be non-refundable. [2] [4] The provider's upfront payment policy is shown during the booking process. [2] [4]
Can a booking be canceled because of a pricing error?
Obvious errors and misprints are not binding; for example, a premium car or luxury suite mistakenly offered for $1 may be canceled and anything paid refunded. [2] [4]
What currency conversion fees can apply?
If Booking.com charges fees for currency services, the fee is expressed as a percentage over European Central Bank rates. [2] [4] Your card issuer may also charge a foreign transaction fee. [2] [4]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It covers Booking.com's customer terms of service. Other online travel agencies and airline or hotel direct-booking sites are not covered.
- Booking.com customer terms of service, checked 18 October 2026
- Booking.com customer terms of service (UK English page), checked 18 October 2026