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The honest truth from a traveler who has booked over 50 times
The honest truth from a traveler who has booked over 50 times
“The consumer isn’t a moron. She’s your wife.”
- David Ogilvy
If there’s something I learned in all the budget-hopping through Tokyo, Paris, and Bangkok, it’s that it matters where you book your travel. Your platform has consequences for your price, your support, your flexibility, and even your sleep.
Today I'm comparing Trip.com vs Booking.com based on my own lived experience, in addition to data and actual savings.
Quick Summary: Who Wins at a Glance?
Quick Summary: Who Wins at a Glance?
Why This Comparison Matters
Why This Comparison Matters
You don’t just want a place to put your head down. You want:
Deals that really work.
Support if a flight cancels.
Value-added perks — not loyalty traps!
A booking experience that is fast and painless.
So let’s spend some energy comparing the two platforms, starting with the one that surprised me the most.
✈️ Flights: The Category Booking.com Doesn't Even Compete In
✈️ Flights: The Category Booking.com Doesn't Even Compete In
Booking.com isn't flight-focused. That's its bread and butter.
But Trip.com? It's a full-on global flight booking engine that competes with Skyscanner and Google Flights.
For example, when flying from Bangkok to Seoul in March, Trip.com found me:
- A round-trip flight is $204,
- it included free seat selection and
- an extra $12 in Trip Coins to book a hotel
Booking.com? Doesn't even offer flights.
👉 Winner for Flights: Trip.com
Hotels: It Depends Where You’re Going
Hotels: It Depends Where You’re Going
Booking.com will likely have more hotels listed overall and globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Their Genius program offers the following perks, too:
10% off on select properties
Free breakfast or other upgrades (Genius Level 2)
Late check out
But Trip.com is a step ahead in some parts of the Asia-Pacific where, on average, they have better prices than what is available or listed on Booking.com.
Japan 🇯🇵
Thailand 🇹🇭
Vietnam 🇻🇳
South Korea 🇰🇷
One field example:
Tokyo 4-star hotel, 3 nights
Trip.com: $298 (after coins + mobile voucher)
Booking.com: $326 (using Genius Level 1 discount)
👉 Hotels winner:
Trip.com in the Asia/Pacific
Booking.com in Europe/North America
Loyalty: Who Has the Best Rewards?
Loyalty: Who Has the Best Rewards?
Trip.com = Trip Coins + Vouchers
Trip.com = Trip Coins + Vouchers
Purchase up to 5% back with coins.
Use like cash on a future booking.
Stackable with app deals.
Future hotel stays, bundles, and holidays.
Booking.com = Genius Program
Genius Level 1 - 10% off hotels.
Genius Level 2 (after 5 stays) - Upgrades, breakfasts.
Rewards don’t stack or accumulate as currency.
Trip.com reminds you of an airline loyalty program and
Booking.com feels like a hotel club card.
👉 Winner for Rewards: Trip.com.
App Experience: Modern vs Overwhelming
App Experience: Modern vs Overwhelming
Trip.com App -
-Clean UI
- Multi-language support
- Mobile-only flash deals
- Tracks coins, coupons, and bookings
Booking.com App
- Hotel filters galore
- Genius perks clearly displayed
- Frequent push notifications and scarcity alerts
I personally prefer Trip.com’s lean design and speed, especially when I’m on the go or booking from a café Wi-Fi hotspot.
👉 Winner for App Usability: Trip.com
Customer Support: One Platform Actually Comes Through
Customer Support: One Platform Actually Comes Through
This is where most booking platforms come up short.
Trip.com offers 24/7 multilingual live chat support — even on holidays. I've had actual humans refund me mid-trip for a last-minute flight cancellation.
Booking.com gives you a generic response and informs you should contact the hotel directly even if you booked through them.
Want to test it? Ask for help on a Sunday night from Bali. One will respond within 5 minutes.
👉 Support Winner: Trip.com
Best by region
Best by region
Asia, Oceania & Southeast Asia: Trip.com 🏆
Europe, U.S. & Canada: Booking.com
If you plan to take a multi-country trip, you may want to use Trip.com for flights & hotel bundles, and Booking.com for featured trips to select cities in Europe.
Real Life Use Case: Saved Over $240
Real Life Use Case: Saved Over $240
In February 2025, I booked:
Bangkok → Osaka (Roundtrip)
6 nights in a 4-star hotel
2 activities (Universal Studios and Kyoto Day Tour)
Trip.com bundled all three:
Initial total: $1,214
After coins + coupon: $1,048.
Savings: $166 net.
Booking.com equivalent setup:
Flights: Not available.
Hotel: $638.
Activities via Viator: $246.
Total: $1,298.
Difference: Saved $250+ by using Trip.com.
👉 Winner for Bundles & Activities: Trip.com.
Final Verdict
Final Verdict
Human Insight to Wrap Up With
Human Insight to Wrap Up With
If you're just booking hotels and you're traveling to the US or Europe, booking.com is still the best, especially if you're in the Genius program.
But if you want to travel how you want (flights, hotels, combinations, and cashback-like rewards), trip.com is the platform to beat in 2025.
I use both. But I now start every search at trip.com.
👉 Check it out for yourself here: shop deals on trip.com
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