BookOnline Reviews

Customer Reviews About BookOnline

BookOnline Has a One-Star Rating

BookOnline has a one-star rating in hundreds of customer reviews (although as mentioned below, it appears they may have been manipulating those reviews after I created this website). You can help protect others by sharing your opinion of BookOnline.

Newsworthy Update

In January 2023, Eight months after BookOnline refused to refund my money from a canceled reservation and I created this website, I received a voicemail saying that "they sincerely apologize for this inconvenience". They also said it would be "greatly appreciated" if I would take down this website. I was hopeful that BookOnline would change their behavior, but it looks like they may have been busy creating fake reviews, as their reviews on SiteJabber.com mysteriously jumped from 1 star to 5 stars with more than 2,000 5-star reviews shortly after I receive that phone call. The complaints at the Better Business Bureau are more difficult to manipulate.

False Claims of Free Cancellations

BookOnline prints, "Free Cancellation" in bright, bold letters on their invoices, and then, in small print at the bottom of the receipt, states the reservation is non-refundable. Sorry BO, but you can't have it both ways. Stating "free cancellation" and then refusing a refund is analogous to theft.

Deceptive Practices

Through deceptive advertisements on hotel websites, customers of BookOnline are frequently unaware they are dealing with a third party. This results in excessive charges and the inability to change or cancel their reservations.

Exorbitant Fees

BookOnline tacks on "Tax Recovery Charges and Service Fees" that frequently add 40% to the bill. When questioned about these ludicrously-high fees, BO often explains that the fees are the result of high demand, but you can book the room directly with the hotel at a fraction of the price.

File a Complaint with the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau gave BookOnline a one-star rating and a grade of F. You can read dozens of complaints on the Better Business Bureau's website.

If you've been harmed by BookOnline, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

File a Complaint with State Attorney Generals

Report the misleading and fraudulent activities of BookOnline by filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Delaware Department of Justice, Florida Attorney General, Washington State Attorney General, and your state.

BookOnline is registered as a foreign limited liability company in CA, Delaware, FL, and WA. When filing a complaint in these states, be sure to mention that BookOnline is a registered business in their state. You do not need to be a resident of a state to file a complaint. Be sure to file a complaint in your state, too. Keep your complaint factual and non-emotional.

File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

Report the activities of BookOnline by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Choose "Online Shopping" as the category.

Share Your Experience on Social Media

Post a summary of your experiences with BookOnline on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and travel sites. Include the hashtag #bookonlinewarning in your posts and reviews. You can reference this website, https://BookOnlineReviews.com, if you want.

More Reviews of BookOnline

  • "I booked hotel reservations through BookOnline and received an invoice from them that stated "Free Cancellation" in bold, bright-yellow text. I tried to cancel shortly thereafter (more than two months before the check in date) via phone calls and email to no avail. I then contacted my bank, Wells Fargo, who temporarily credited my account. After the hotel reservation date, BookOnline finally contacted me (how convenient!) to tell me they would not refund my money. Wells Fargo (shame on you) then debited the money from my account. BookOnline.com effectively stole $1,171 from me."
     Steve A — July 19, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with your state.
  • Scammed out of $1800 by bookonline.com
    "Booked a room for a week at a hotel through bookonline.com as it was advertised with FREE CANCELLATION in highlighted font. Had to cancel 2 weeks in advance due to a medical emergency that meant I couldn't fly. Bookonline.com refused to honor the cancellation and said I had to deal directly with teh hotel. The hotel (Aloft Durham, NC) said they didn't accept cancellations. I lost $1800."
     M. S. — September 8, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Scammed! They got me.
    "I was booking a hotel room on the hotel's website but unknowingly redirected to bookonline.com. I made a reservation in Ohio to visit my son. When I received the confirmation it was for Texas. I called bookonline.com to tell them it is the wrong state, they told me no changes or refunds. The girl in the office said why don't I go to Texas instead. ( Are you kidding me.) I disputed it with my credit card bank, Bank of America and lost. I am out $476.53 How can a company like bookonline stay in business, legally."
     Michael L. — August 5, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Terrible experience!
    "Person lied! I asked 3 times if it was the wedding hotel block- was told yes each time. Given a rate of 1350.72 for 2 nights instead of 570!"
     Lesley G. — September 28, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with your state.
  • "I reserved and canceled my reservation within a few minutes of realizing I was not on the Wyndham Rewards site. The reservation confirmation emphasized Free Cancellation, but I was charged the full amount of $1822. They will give me no refund and they will give me no room ([and] will not reinstate my reservation)."
     Jamshid F — May 8, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Don't use!
    "I try to book directly with the hotel and their website had me thinking I was. I made an error on my dates and immediately contacted them to fix the mistake. They were argumentative. I insisted on speaking to a supervisor and was placed on hold and eventually hung up on. I called right back and had the very same experience! There is no customer service here! I would never use them!"
     Tammy M. — May 18, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Book online is a SCAM! Do Not Use This Company!
    "They hijacked the hotel's website (thought I was making directly with Four Points Hotel in San Diego CA) they claim full refund on cancellation, they did not honor! I was more than 30 days out from hotel stay date when I needed to cancel my stay because my dive trip was canceled. *I was told no refund, no credit toward another stay, no rebooking for a future date! More than 30 days out!* Look at all the terrible reviews! A Class Action Lawsuit should be filed against this fraudulent company! Never use Bookonline.com SCAM!"
     Leslie P. — August 30, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the FTC.
  • Scammers. Bottom feeders. Web pirates.
    "Do not use this site. We thought we were on the actual hotel's site but were not and were literally charged hundreds of dollars over the room rate and we could not cancel about two minutes after making the reservation. And our credit card company would not give us our money back."
     Dane S. — July 7, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General.
  • ABSOLUTE SCAM!
    "When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was placed on hold for over an hour before I finally gave up. I will have my credit card company deal with these crooks. If I could give this company a zero review I would."
     Thomas R. — August 19, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
  • Did not book the room I requested
    "I requested a suite with 2 Queen beds. We did not get that room and we're way overcharged for the room according to the hotel. I verified twice with Jennifer that we wanted a suite and she confirmed at the cost of $245. We are stuck with an overpriced room and expect a refund. Very poor job by Jennifer—she falsified information to me. Check the rates for a room here with 2 queen beds. It does not cost $245."
     Dawn V. — September 25, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with your state.
  • "They make it look like you're clicking on the hotel website to book ... Charged $300 in fees over what the hotel actually told me their price was. Couldn't cancel or get a refund. Spent over 2 hours on the phone with bookonline.com and got hung up on. Total and complete scam."
     Haley R — April 14, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice.
  • Total Scam Do Not Trust This Company
    "Reservations were made for a hotel that did not have any rooms available. Cancelled in the correct timeline and still have not received a refund 4 days later. Have been calling and emailing nonstop and keep getting the run around. People on the phone say they can't help and every email just gets a response that we received your request, reply with any comments. TOTAL SCAM COMPANY! We contacted AMEX to file a dispute and have been refunded what they were trying to steal!"
     Christine B. — July 23, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • Terrible Service - Misleading Information
    "I booked this reservation thinking I was booking it through the hotel's website. Upon realizing the rates I was paying were much higher than the hotel's actual rates and that I needed to make an adjustment to the dates, I cancelled this within 48 hours of booking. The policy said the cancellation and refund was subject to the hotel's cancellation policy. They refused to issue any refund for a booking that is 5 months out."
     Bradi G. — June 14, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • DO NOT BOOK HERE
    "As stated in previous comments, my fees/taxes were almost $100 more than what I could have booked through the hotel. On top of that the hotel allows for cancellations and Bookonline.com does not."
     Eric B. — November 7, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the FTC.
  • Poses as genuine hotel site then adds crazy fees
    "They disguise the site URL to look like the direct hotel website in Google search. It wasn't until I saw the $150+ "tax and recovery fee" on a $214 reservation that I realized something was off. By then I'd already booked. I canceled the reservation, but the site isn't clear on whether or not they refund the exorbitant fees. For comparison, booking directly on Marriott had $34 in government taxes and fees. Bookonline.com is crazy."
     Elissa K. — September 20, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General.

BookOnline's Reviews
See the Better Business Bureau Reviews

  • Am on hold 2.5 hours and counting
    "Had to make a quick decision to book a room when a family member's flights were suddenly canceled late at night. Made the reservation in real time as the hours passed, and the news didn't look good. Prepaid the room, but she was finally atc2am, able to get the last of two seats available out later that morning. No hotel stay needed. Have been on hold to cancel these reservations for now almost 3 hours!"
     Deidre H. — September 7, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • "They look like a real site and I was sent there from the Fairfield [hotel] site. Charged me an extra 200 plus and would not cancel it."
     Sue D — March 11, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
  • DO NOT USE! UNETHICAL! HORRIBLE SCAM OF A COMPANY!
    "PLEASE DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING WITH THEM! We will absolutely never use this "company" again. They are absolutely a scam. During booking and in our confirmation pages (which I sent to in screenshots to the company) it said in ORANGE BOLD font, FREE CANCELLATION. How wrong that was. When we..."
     Brittany S. — June 29, 2022 (read review)
    Write your own review.
  • Bait and Switch
    "I needed to book a hotel for one night. The price came up, looked good. However, I did not see where they added $92 in taxes and fees to the reservation. Taxes should only have been $28.00. Completely non-refundable. Rip off"
     Mary Kay K. — November 2, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with your state.
  • Scammers, Buyers Beware
    "Went to make reservations at Sleep Inn & ended up with Book Online. Was charged twice what was quoted. Contacted Book Online where I was informed of their NO Refund policy. Filed a claim against their fraudulent practices. Scammers."
     Tina H. — October 19, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General.
  • Very deceiving
    "I booked a room at Wyndham Super 8 at Houghton lake, had to cancel a month in advance, according to the email confirmation they sent me highlighted under hotel it said "Free Cancellation". In the fine print it says no refund, so they just keep your money. I RECOMMEND THAT NO ONE USE BOOKONLINE. COM, they have not even offered me a credit."
     Frank K. — July 22, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the FTC.
  • "I booked a room through [BookOnline] 3 months in advanced for a business trip. I tried to cancel within 24 hrs they refused to refund or give a credit ... just $700 stolen."
     David C — May 30, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Pickpockets
    "I reserved and cancelled my reservation within a few minutes of realizing I was not on the Wyndham Rewards site. The reservation confirmation emphasized Free Cancellation, but I was charged the full amount of $1822. They will give me no refund and they will give me no room (will not reinstate my reservation)."
     Jamshid F. — May 8, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General.
  • I tried to cancel after seeing that the price was $75 more than the quoted price
    "I cancelled my room after seeing the extra $75.00 they charged. Now I am out $243.57 and have no room."
     Roger N. — July 22, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING ON THEIR SITE
    "Site does not disclose "Tax recovery/fees" prior to purchase. Their tax recovery/fees where 3 times the standard rate if I would have booked thru the hotel website (which I thought I was doing so that is my bad). Reporting to BBB. Site needs to be shutdown!"
     John H. — September 4, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice.
  • "We booked a room online for a Fairfield Inn at a rate of $119.00. Book online did not disclose that they were charging an additional $50 + dollars for taxes and fees. We would have never booked this room knowing there would be that much in additional charges."
     Kathy K — June 13, 2022 (read review)
    Write your own review.
  • Predatory Purchase Practices
    "Horrible business. DO NOT USE. We booked a hotel through them for a rate of $156. Once we had accepted the reservation and paid, we realized they had charged us 50% of the hotel's rate as taxes and fees ($85) instead of the 9% state's fees we expected. "
     Gaby J. — August 5, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
  • Total Rip Off!
    "You get flipped on this site without knowing it. When you book and switch to confirm booking it changes the date to the same day. Although they advertise free cancellation it's impossible to cancel or get your money back. Extremely rude customer service. Read all the reviews."
     EARLENE L. — June 14, 2022 (read review)
    File a complaint with the BBB.
  • Horrible Experience
    "I recorded the call. I was lied to, charged a bogus service fee, then transferred to a specialist and hung up on. I kept telling the guy I can book on Expedia or hotels.com without a service fee. He had dogs barking in the background, lied and didn't know how to answer questions. I'm going to give Tru awful reviews online. This is the worst hotel experience I've had in 51 years and I'm a VP of Sales who travels often."
     Kenny H. — April 15, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
  • Avoid these morons at all costs
    "The absolute worst experience ever. Their own operators don't even know how their systems work. They made a reservation at a Charlotte area airport hotel. There was no reservation available when we arrived, no confirmation number, yet they charged not once, but twice ...stay away from this scam organization at all costs. I would give them a -10 star review if it were available."
     John B. — September 26, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • Scam artist
    "Booked a room for $253.30 a night and when I got my confirmation there was a 137.70 tax and recovery fee. I instantly requested a cancelation and refund because this amount was not disclosed, and they refused the refund but canceled the reservation saying they would send me a voucher instead. No customer service and hidden charges. Stay far far away"
     Jacob L. — March 21, 2023 (read review)
    File a complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice.
  • And More Reviews
    And More Reviews