Just explain to me why Booking.com has refused to help its partners out in a time of genuine hardship, when at the end of 2019, they had cash and quick convertables to the value of US $6.5 Billion.
The question really is "Who has run away with the money" ??
This has to be the finish of both Booking.com and Expedia.
My comment here is that if Booking.Com are not reading the comments herein , I don't think much of their executives. If they are so ignorant of the pulse of global travel, and the shut down of not only international but domestic tourism, they don't deserve even a fraction of their enormous salaries. This is a time when they should front up to all of their faithful "partners" who have been paying commissions to the Booking.com conglomerant ranging from 15% to 28% , for some of us 10 -20 years, and give us all a break.
I too can not pay my monthly invoice, we have no income and will not see any business for a long time I suspect.
I think that this is where we all will find out the true nature of all the OTA;s and whether their corporate partnership with us global accommodation providers, extends to helping us cope with an extraordinary business crisis, or whether its all about keeping a tight hold of their (Booking,com's) retained earnings for the sole benefit of their shareholders.
This is going to be a watershed moment for all OTA,s I feel.
Given the size and business effects of the current global Covid19 pandemic, and that the effects will see some Booking.com hosts close permanently because their cash flow simply does not exist now, this is the time when Booking.Com should step up and offer some help to their hosts instead of sending their commission invoices out in a "business as usual" manner. Business with Booking.com is no longer business as usual, and the travellers accommodation market will be badly affected for at least 18 mths to 2 years.
I am surprised and dissappointed that Booking.com have not shown their wealthy hand on this matter, they surely must realise, that many of their hosts will simply be unable to operate a viable business.
I look forward to the account manager who handles New Zealand partners, making contact with me to discuss the situation along with their latest Invoice that they have presented.
Your country and business circumstances maybe be a bit different....however the issue remains that would - be guests can phone direct & quote the fake Booking.com rate for your hotel, and then use that fake value to request accommodation at or below this tariff..which really is just a nonsense. We know now to simply advise them to book using the fake price...but then we have to ensure that the virtual payment corresponds to the true calendar pricing.
I maintain that at best its not a good business strategy on the part of booking.com and at worst it is fraudulent. Interestingly we have asked guests their opinion of Booking.com doing this fancy bookwork , and the general view is ..they are not impressed.
Hi there M Adamopoulou, thanks for your views. Yes I would agree that you can refuse the Genius promotion, etc. however it was interesting that recently some Chinese guests had a 12% discount applied which we never signed up for, and to-date, Booking.com have not responded to my questions about this. Also the concept of Booking.com advertising a tariff lower than that which you have entered in the booking calendar, is simply not a good move...as it only favours booking.com while leading to difficulties for the host.
Who is really the loser when you chose to run with a marketing channel like Booking.com?
Its certainly not the hosting hotel, BnB, or what ever you call yourself.
Look at how it works...first Booking.com take 15% off your calendar price for their commission, then they offer a Genius discount to the customer, then they take the Country discount off.... there ain't much left after a total price reduction of say 42%. Then if you deduct VAT or GST of a further 15%, then the 2.9% to 3.5% overseas/foreign bank interchange credit card charges....the only entity making money is not you, the host.
Hi Brooke,
Just explain to me why Booking.com has refused to help its partners out in a time of genuine hardship, when at the end of 2019, they had cash and quick convertables to the value of US $6.5 Billion.
The question really is "Who has run away with the money" ??
This has to be the finish of both Booking.com and Expedia.
Hi Sharonpowney,
My comment here is that if Booking.Com are not reading the comments herein , I don't think much of their executives. If they are so ignorant of the pulse of global travel, and the shut down of not only international but domestic tourism, they don't deserve even a fraction of their enormous salaries. This is a time when they should front up to all of their faithful "partners" who have been paying commissions to the Booking.com conglomerant ranging from 15% to 28% , for some of us 10 -20 years, and give us all a break.
I too can not pay my monthly invoice, we have no income and will not see any business for a long time I suspect.
I wouldn't hold my breath jaybeegee, the silence so far from both Booking.com and Expedia is not a good sign.
I think that this is where we all will find out the true nature of all the OTA;s and whether their corporate partnership with us global accommodation providers, extends to helping us cope with an extraordinary business crisis, or whether its all about keeping a tight hold of their (Booking,com's) retained earnings for the sole benefit of their shareholders.
This is going to be a watershed moment for all OTA,s I feel.
Dear Booking.com,
Given the size and business effects of the current global Covid19 pandemic, and that the effects will see some Booking.com hosts close permanently because their cash flow simply does not exist now, this is the time when Booking.Com should step up and offer some help to their hosts instead of sending their commission invoices out in a "business as usual" manner. Business with Booking.com is no longer business as usual, and the travellers accommodation market will be badly affected for at least 18 mths to 2 years.
I am surprised and dissappointed that Booking.com have not shown their wealthy hand on this matter, they surely must realise, that many of their hosts will simply be unable to operate a viable business.
I look forward to the account manager who handles New Zealand partners, making contact with me to discuss the situation along with their latest Invoice that they have presented.
Kind regards
W. Bruce Whitfield
Your country and business circumstances maybe be a bit different....however the issue remains that would - be guests can phone direct & quote the fake Booking.com rate for your hotel, and then use that fake value to request accommodation at or below this tariff..which really is just a nonsense. We know now to simply advise them to book using the fake price...but then we have to ensure that the virtual payment corresponds to the true calendar pricing.
I maintain that at best its not a good business strategy on the part of booking.com and at worst it is fraudulent. Interestingly we have asked guests their opinion of Booking.com doing this fancy bookwork , and the general view is ..they are not impressed.
Hi there M Adamopoulou, thanks for your views. Yes I would agree that you can refuse the Genius promotion, etc. however it was interesting that recently some Chinese guests had a 12% discount applied which we never signed up for, and to-date, Booking.com have not responded to my questions about this. Also the concept of Booking.com advertising a tariff lower than that which you have entered in the booking calendar, is simply not a good move...as it only favours booking.com while leading to difficulties for the host.
Who is really the loser when you chose to run with a marketing channel like Booking.com?
Its certainly not the hosting hotel, BnB, or what ever you call yourself.
Look at how it works...first Booking.com take 15% off your calendar price for their commission, then they offer a Genius discount to the customer, then they take the Country discount off.... there ain't much left after a total price reduction of say 42%. Then if you deduct VAT or GST of a further 15%, then the 2.9% to 3.5% overseas/foreign bank interchange credit card charges....the only entity making money is not you, the host.