"Attention s'il vous plaît" - the price differences between booking via the booking.com web page and their app

Having booked a significant amount of stays for my recent 3 week cycle through France - I became very aware of the pricing differences given by Booking.com when searching via the app and searching via their web page.

TL;DR

This pricing difference wasn't a one off. In many cases pricing provided by the Booking.com App is significantly lower than pricing provided by the Booking.com web page for exactly the same holiday stay.

Here's a couple of screen shots for a future planned trip to Easter Island that highlight the difference - refreshingly the App clearly states that it's an app only deal.

Booking.com - Web Page

Booking.com - App

Understanding Price Variations

Booking.com is a popular choice for discovering deals on hotels and rentals. I'd read somewhere that prices differed per device - i.e. apple / PC, but had no evidence, then I read that prices can differ between the app and the website.

Being aware of these differences can help you save money on your travel plans.

I understand that the price differences are put down to "Algorithmic Differences" or "Promotional Offers and Discounts", either way - it doesn't really matter to me. Via the Web I can click through and take advantage of (maybe 5% cashback) via Cashback/Avios sites, with the App I can't.

So the best approach for my worked example;

Web - £612 - £31 = £581 (includes cashback assumption that isn't guaranteed)

App - £551

If you’re only checking the website, you could miss out on these deals. Being vigilant across both platforms will allow you to take advantage of the best offers available.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

Booking.com Web Page

Pros:

• Comprehensive Display: The website allows you to compare a broader range of options side by side, making it easier to find the right fit for your needs.

  
  

• Ease of Use: A larger screen simplifies navigation, especially during extensive trip planning.

  
  

Cons:

• Potentially Higher Prices: As noted, prices can be less competitive here than on the app, potentially leading to missed savings.

  
  

Booking.com App

Pros:

• Exclusive Deals: Users frequently discover lower rates not listed on the website.

  
  

• Convenience: The app enables quick bookings, especially useful for last-minute travel plans.

  
  

Cons:

• Limited Display: The app may not show all available options as thoroughly as the website can, leading to potential oversights.

  
  

Knowing these pros and cons can guide your decision in choosing the right platform for your bookings.

My Best Practices for Booking.com

To ensure you're getting the best deals, follow these best practices:

Compare Prices

Before finalising a booking, compare prices on both the app and the website.

Book rates that can be cancelled

Pay a little more for the flexibility.

Revisit existing bookings to take advantage of price drops

Check current pricing regularly as some hotels will drop pricing in line with availability.