A quick note: I’ve only used Booking.com for accommodation bookings – never flights, car hires, or their other services. We’ve always had great experiences with accommodation, and definitely recommend it for that, but I can’t speak to anything else.

1. Use the app

My first tip is an easy one – Booking.com offers discounts that are only available through their app. These aren’t on every listing, but you’ll spot them labeled as ‘mobile-only price’ often enough to make the app worth downloading.

It’s all a marketing tactic (apps keep you scrolling, while websites make it too easy to open another tab and compare with another site), but the savings are genuine, so might as well use it to your advantage.

You can download the app here.

2. Book through cashback platforms

Out of all the tips I’m sharing, cashback platforms have saved us the most money – we’ve saved $952.54 AUD from just 20 booking.com hotel bookings ($618.29 USD | £469.80 GBP). The way they work is simple: you click through a cashback app or website before booking, then receive a percentage back that can be deposited into your bank account.

There are different cashback platforms depending on where you are. In Australia, I use Shopback. If you’re in the US, Rakuten seems to be the popular choice for booking.com cashback (though I haven’t used it myself as I’m not based there).

You’ll also notice deals pop up from time to time with higher cashback rates. I always try to wait for these before booking so we can save even more money. The only exception was when we found a great deal in Amsterdam – we didn’t want to risk missing out, so we booked it with the standard cashback rate.

Quick tip: screenshot the price before clicking through to the cashback platform to make sure it stays the same.

3. Check that they’re actually offering the best price

This one does involve leaving Booking.com, but the truth is they don’t always have the best price. I love using Booking.com to search for and save options, but before booking I always check the price directly with the hotel and on other reliable platforms like Expedia.
We used this strategy during our Iceland trip and saved $33 AUD by booking Hótel Kvika directly instead of through Booking.com (more on that in my Iceland accommodation breakdown).

It’s worth being cautious with third-party booking sites you’re unfamiliar with. Some options like TripAdvisor, Trivago, and Skyscanner are comparison sites. They show you results from multiple sources but don’t actually manage the booking themselves. If they send you to a site you’ve never heard of, please do a quick search for reviews or scam warnings before you book.

I’ve personally only ever booked through Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Hotels.com, so these are the only ones I can recommend.

4. Reach Genius Level 2

You may already know that Booking.com has a loyalty program with different levels. When you sign up, you’re automatically placed at Level 1, and from there you can work your way up.

Here’s what each level offers:

Level 1

• 10% discounts on select stays

Level 2 (5 stays in 2 years)

• 10-15% discounts on select stays
• Free breakfasts on select stays
• Free room upgrades on select stays

Level 3 (15 stays in 2 years)

• 15-20% discounts on select stays

You’ll notice that these discounts are only on ‘select stays’, so you won’t get them on every accommodation. The listings with discounts will have a blue Genius label. Since reaching Level 2 (now Level 3) we have saved $328.45 USD with 2 free breakfasts.

I’ve specifically said reach Level 2 and not the highest Level 3. That’s because Level 2 is way more achievable and gives you the best perks – free breakfasts and room upgrades. Level 3 only adds an extra 5% discount, which honestly doesn’t feel worth the 10 additional bookings.

This won’t help if you’re making one of your first five bookings, but it’s useful to know for future trips. But it’s definitely worth keeping in mind as you travel more.

As I mentioned earlier, don’t stick with booking.com just to reach the next level if you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Even being Level 3 didn’t help me get a better deal on a recent Sydney trip – I saved almost $100 by booking the same hotel through Expedia instead. Always save money now rather than chasing potential future discounts.

5. Take advantage of cancellation periods

You’ll find that a lot of Booking.com listings offer a cheaper rate if you choose the non-refundable option. We’ve done this whenever we’re certain of our travel dates.

That said, free cancellation has its perks too – if the price drops after booking, you could cancel for free and rebook at the cheaper rate. I’ll be honest though, this isn’t something I’ve actually done before.

6. Choose to prepay instead of paying at the hotel

If you’re travelling internationally and have the choice to prepay or pay at the hotel, I recommend prepaying. This locks in the exchange rate when you’re booking in a different currency.

Booking.com shows prices in your currency, so if you prepay, you guarantee that price. This is especially helpful if you’re booking months in advance – exchange rates can shift quite a bit, and what seemed affordable could end up outside your budget by the time you arrive.