We have had mixed experience on Booking.com during our recent international trip to North America; in particular with booking a rental vehicle through Booking.com. Booking.com sold us comprehensive insurance, which did not end up being comprehensive. It did not include windshield damage and flat tire, among other things (there are no spare tires in the vehicles). And took a refundable bond for some unknown reason as we had to pay another bond to Thrifty on pick up. The Booking.com bond will not be repaid until one month after we returned from our overseas trip. We would suggest doing research on Booking.com, then booking directly with properties and providers wherever possible. Another reason being that one property refused our booking through Booking.com but Booking.com told us it was confirmed and took payment, which they did not pass on to the AirBNB accommodation provider (who did not want our booking). We did not find out until the day prior to our booking when we tried to get access instructions and the provider told us that they had told Booking.com that the property was not available. They sold our accommodation to another guest. We did not know this until the last minute and had to get alternative accommodation at an extra cost of approx. $70 NZD. This was expensive and inconvenient. The property owner also had to pay a fine. The property owner authorised Booking.com to repay our cost in full so at least there was that.
