Booking.com is a comprehensive platform that provides a wide array of accommodation options and direct booking capabilities, enhanced by a loyalty program and direct customer support. Skyscanner excels as a price comparison tool, offering extensive search across numerous airlines and rental car sites, making it ideal for users prioritizing finding the lowest prices and comparing options from various providers.
| Attribute | Booking.com | Skyscanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price comparison accuracy | Guarantees the lowest booking prices. | Aims to display prices including mandatory taxes and charges, but final price may change due to provider fees. |
| Breadth of accommodation options | Offers a wide variety of accommodations including hotels, apartments, hostels, vacation rentals, resorts, motels, guest houses, and bed and breakfasts. Also lists bungalows, cabins, tiny houses, cottages, and glamping sites. | Searches for hotels, apartments, and hostels. |
| Flight search capabilities | Allows booking one-way, round trip, and multi-city flights. As of September 2024, their Flights service is live in 55 countries and lets you browse flights from over 500 airlines in 4,500 destinations worldwide. You can book a flight up to one year before your departure date. | Compares flight prices from major airlines and travel agents, with filtering options for price, airline, departure/arrival times, and number of stops. Covers airlines like British Airways, Air Canada, Air India, and Ryanair. |
| Car rental options and availability | Offers car rentals. Genius members get a minimum 10% discount on rental cars booked via Booking.com. | Compares car rental prices from over 100 sites, offering various options and filtering by vehicle type and fuel policy. |
| User interface and ease of navigation | The app has a user-friendly design that emphasizes booking through the app. The home screen has a prominent search widget, and suggested locations are available for users unsure of what they're looking for. | Known for its user-friendly interface. |
| Mobile app functionality and user experience | The mobile app allows you to book accommodations, flights, and rental cars. It offers mobile-only discounts. You can access booking confirmations offline and contact customer service via phone or email through the app. | Offers real-time access to flights, hotels, and car rental information, including price alerts, offline access to bookings, and itinerary management. |
| Customer support responsiveness and helpfulness | Offers 24/7 customer service in more than 40 languages. You can contact them via message or phone. | Customer support is typically provided by the airline or travel provider you book with. |
| Cancellation policies and flexibility | Offers various cancellation policy options, ranging from fully flexible to non-refundable. A fully flexible policy allows guests to cancel for free until the check-in time. | Cancellation policies vary depending on the airline or travel provider. Some airlines offer refunds within 24 hours, while others may charge a fee. |
| Deals and discounts offered | Provides seasonal and holiday deals. Getaway Deals start at 15% off. Secret Deals provide lower rates with member discounts. | Offers deals and discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Price Alerts can notify you of the cheapest prices and deals. |
| Loyalty programs and rewards | Has a Genius loyalty program with three levels, each offering benefits like discounts on hotel stays and free breakfasts. Level 1 provides a 10% discount on select stays and car rentals upon signing up. | Does not have its own loyalty program, but allows adding loyalty information for the airline or travel provider when booking. |
| Payment options and security | Generally, the property is responsible for charging your card, and you usually pay during check-in or check-out. If Booking.com handles the payment, it will be stated clearly in your booking confirmation. | Redirects you to the provider's site to make your booking directly. |
| Transparency of fees and charges | Does not charge booking or credit card fees. Discounts are applied to the price before taxes and fees. | Aims to make searching as transparent as possible, including an estimate of all taxes and charges. However, additional fees may apply. |