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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals vs Booking.com

Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 4.9★ · Free to download 60
Winner Booking.com
Booking.com 4.8★ · Free to download 75

Booking.com is generally a more reliable option for booking travel due to its broader selection and more consistent user experience, despite some customer service and pricing issues, while Travelzoo offers excellent deals but is plagued by app functionality problems and limited options for solo travelers.

Full reviews: Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals · Booking.com

Travelzoo offers genuinely great travel deals, but its app is frequently reported as buggy and difficult to use, with limited options for solo travelers. Booking.com provides a vast selection and is generally easy to use for booking, though it faces significant criticism regarding customer service, hidden fees, and occasional issues with fake listings or double bookings.

Head to head

Deals and Value edge: Travelzoo Hotel & Travel DealsR1R3R5R8
Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals Travelzoo is highly praised for its 'amazing discounts' and 'phenomenal' deals on resorts, tours, and cruises, with many users finding 'great prices' and 'marvelous deals' that are hard to find elsewhere R5R8R11R14. However, some users report that prices are not always more discounted than booking directly, and solo travelers find deals to be scarce or effectively double-priced R1R3R42.
Booking.com Booking.com users appreciate finding 'great rates' and 'great deals' on hotel stays . However, many reviews mention hidden fees, such as undisclosed taxes, surcharges, or foreign transaction fees, making the final price higher than initially displayed R66R73R83. Some also note that booking direct with hotels can result in better or equal rates and service R73.
App Functionality and Ease of Use edge: Booking.comR4R6R9R10
Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals Travelzoo's app is frequently described as 'clunky,' 'glitchy,' and 'too slow' R11. Users report issues like blank screens, getting stuck on loading pages, inability to navigate back and forth, and constant update prompts that lead to no new version R4R6R11. Some prefer the website due to the app being 'too crowded' or leading to external webpages R9R10R11.
Booking.com Booking.com is generally considered 'user friendly' and 'easy to use' for finding and reserving accommodations . However, some users find the booking process 'not user friendly' and modifying stays difficult R76. There are also complaints about frequent updates, sometimes multiple times a day .
Reliability and Availability tieR14R17R22R25
Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals Travelzoo users praise the quality of the trips booked, citing 'awesome experiences' and 'best vacation ever' R14R17. However, some deals are reported as unavailable for specified dates, requiring users to click through many options R22. There are also reports of issues with specific 'TRAVELODEAL' trips being negative experiences R25.
Booking.com Booking.com is used by many for years with positive experiences . However, there are significant concerns about reliability, including confirmed bookings being cancelled by hosts, rooms being overbooked, and fake listings R67. Some users also report issues with hotel amenities like pools being closed or rooms being dirty despite high ratings R73.
Customer Service and Support tieR9R52R58R64
Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals Travelzoo users report difficulty getting in-app help or questions answered R9. Some mention a lack of tech support when trying to delete accounts R52. One user had issues with Cyber Monday deals not working and no answer from support R58.
Booking.com Booking.com receives strong criticism for its 'terrible customer service' R64. Users report vague responses, difficulty canceling reservations, issues with refunds taking over a month, and problems modifying bookings R64R76R92. Some also claim customer service sides with fake listings or does not take responsibility for booking errors R67.
Membership and Pricing Model edge: Booking.comR1R18R21R66
Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals Travelzoo has a membership fee, with some users complaining about pop-ups asking for payment even after subscribing R1R18. Recent changes mean 'special offers are for paid subscribers' R21. Some feel the membership is not worth it if prices aren't truly discounted R1.
Booking.com Booking.com is free to download and use, with no explicit membership fee mentioned in reviews. Pricing issues revolve around hidden fees and discrepancies between advertised and final costs, rather than a membership model R66R73R83.
Pick Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals if

you are a flexible traveler looking for deeply discounted deals, especially for couples or groups, and are willing to navigate a potentially clunky app or use the website instead R5R11R14R17.

Pick Booking.com if

you prioritize a wide selection of accommodations and a generally easy-to-use booking interface, and are prepared to scrutinize final prices and potentially deal with customer service issues if they arise .

Evidence note: Travelzoo's reviews are heavily skewed towards app functionality issues, with many positive reviews focusing solely on the quality of deals rather than the app experience itself. Booking.com's reviews are more balanced, with many positive comments on ease of use and selection, but a significant number of recent negative reviews highlight serious customer service and reliability problems.

Frequently asked

Are Travelzoo deals truly discounted?
Yes, many Travelzoo users report finding 'amazing discounts' and 'phenomenal' deals that are significantly cheaper than booking elsewhere, with some citing specific examples like a £79 break for two including breakfast or a Chicago hotel deal with free beverages and discounts R5R11R17. However, some users find that prices are not always more discounted than booking directly, especially for solo travelers R1R3.
Does Booking.com have hidden fees?
Yes, several Booking.com users report that the prices shown on the app do not always include final fees and taxes, leading to higher costs than expected R66R73R83. There are also complaints about unexpected foreign transaction fees when prices were displayed in USD R110.
Is Travelzoo good for solo travelers?
No, Travelzoo is generally not recommended for solo travelers, as users report that there are 'hardly any deals ever' for individuals, and the 'single supplement on most of these vacations is essentially 100%', meaning solo travelers often pay the same price as two people R3R42.
What are common issues with Booking.com's customer service?
Booking.com's customer service is frequently described as 'terrible' and unhelpful, with users reporting difficulties in canceling reservations, getting refunds, or modifying bookings R64R76R92. Some users also experienced issues with customer service not resolving problems like double bookings or fake listings R67.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 2/5 · US Not all what it says: Prices here are no more discounted than purchasing on own. Plus there is a membership fee
  2. [R3] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 3/5 · US Not for solo travelers!: The app has decent deals, but if you’re a solo traveler like myself, there are hardly any deals ever. The single supplement on most of these vacations is essentially 100%, you can book these vacations for the same prices without the “help” of anybody working at any agency that travelzoo works with.
  3. [R5] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 5/5 · US Just Love it: Amazing discounts in many destinations, you will save a lot in resorts, tours, cruises. If you are a travel addicted this is for you.
  4. [R8] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 5/5 · US Love to travel: I love travelzoo and the best deals ever, looking forward to travel more.
  5. [R4] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 1/5 · US App not working: When I open the app and on the homepage all I get is a blank white screen.
  6. [R6] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 3/5 · US Selection does not Finish Opening: When I select a special destination link the app gets stuck processing and remains on the “on your way” screen. I cannot see the recommend deal due to the glitch. Would appreciate app support to investigate the issue and provide an updated bug fix. I am a paid member and this is disappointing.
  7. [R9] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 3/5 · US Full deal not we’ll displayed: Prefer the website. The App is too crowded and stuff not accurate. Kimpton deal in LA continues to cram back in the amenities fees that supposed to be waived. Tapping another path took me to Google and other suggested logins. Then it cannot because Google doesn’t it considered secure. App and paths would benefit from much better testing. No clean way get in app help
  8. [R10] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 1/5 · US App leads you to webpages: App leads you to webpages , so just use your web browser
  9. [R14] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 5/5 · US Africa: My best vacation ever was booked thru Travelzoo… South Africa safari… Bukela Game Refuge… if you ever see it again on Travelzoo, GO FOR IT!
  10. [R17] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 5/5 · US Chicago Hotel Deal: We had an awesome experience booking through Travelzoo on a fantastic deal at the Swissôtel in Chicago. We had amazing views of the river and lake! We also received free beverages and $15 off daily on the hotel restaurant. The staff were accommodating and friendly! We even walked back to the hotel from Navy Pier with a 4 and 8 year old because of the close distance!
  11. [R22] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 2/5 · US Search by Date: There should be a way to filter and see every deal that’s available during the timeframe you specify. The app requires you to click on a deal first, then enter dates just to receive the message there is no availability for the dates entered. I have yet to find a trip that’s actually available. The current process is a waste of time.
  12. [R25] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 1/5 · US NEVER BOOK A TRAVELODEAL TRIP: The absolute worst TRAVELZOO and hotel experience of my life was a TRAVELODEAL trip through Travelzoo, after 19 years of Travelzoo trips.
  13. [R52] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 1/5 · US Ripoff: I've been trying to delete my account on the app and I keep getting the run around. Zero tech support.
  14. [R58] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 1/5 · US Cyber Monday deals did not work!!: Deals were still blocked even though I was a member. Tried reaching out and they told me to click on the lock to verify my account as though I hadn’t tried that and logging in and out several times. Tried calling with no answer. I think this was a scam to get me to pay $40 for a membership I no longer even want. Also, these cyber deals were supposed to be availab
  15. [R64] Booking.com 1/5 · US Terrible customer service: I was trying to cancel a reservation, few minutes after I make that reservation, but the customer service representative keeps giving vague responses. I've made more than four calls, yet the cancellation hasn't been successful.
  16. [R18] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 3/5 · GB Annoying pop ups: I have an account with TravelZoo but when I look at a tour listed in a TravelZoo e-mail I keep getting the pop-up asking me to pay £1 to get 30 days free subscription. I had already done this and since then took an annual subscription. However the pop up continues to come up and it is impossible to get rid of it.
  17. [R21] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 3/5 · GB Changes: I’m disappointed after being a long time member that now special offers are for paid subscribers
  18. [R66] Booking.com 3/5 · US Convenient if you avoid the sinister scammy parts: If you book a vehicle, it includes “insurance.” This is Booking.com’s “service” and it entirely independent from the rental company. This “insurance” is not usually honored and requires a police report. you are essentially wasting your money and will need to buy insurance again with the actual company. Additionally, the prices they show do not inc
  19. [R11] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 4/5 · US Amazing Travel Deals! Clunky app: The deals are phenomenal and I love it all. My only complaint is the clunkiness of the app. Its difficult to navigate back and forth between pages. I usually end up closing the entire app and go back in to switch from deal to deal. It’s a pain. The website is excellent! The app is…meh.
  20. [R73] Booking.com 1/5 · US Disappointed: I booked a hotel in Trinidad, Colorado for 122.52. This place had high reviews so that’s why I went with it. I went to quality Inn website and they were only charging $78 for the room. The hotel charged another $25 for my friend’s dog, which did not say that I would Have to pay extra. This place is filthy, and there are stains all over the carpet. This hotel I would write it a -0.
  21. [R83] Booking.com 5/5 · US Price change: When booking the price changes
  22. [R110] Booking.com 1/5 · US Got charged Foran transaction fees for the prices shown in the US dollars?: I recently made multiple bookings for hotels and day trips using Booking.com all the prices were shown in the US dollars. With no warning or indication that my credit card will be charged in a Foreign currency now I have close $200 in foreign transaction fees. I have other credit cards that do not charge for transaction fe
  23. [R42] Travelzoo Hotel & Travel Deals 2/5 · US No solo selection: If you are wanting to travel solo you will most likely be paying for 2.
  24. [R67] Booking.com 1/5 · US SCAM: Do not ever book anything through this platform, there are fake listings. Then when you book these fake listings booking.com offers 0 help or support and essentially sides with the fake listings. I had my debit and credit card information stipple , the place I booked literally does not exist. They never responded to any request or messages prior to me finding out it’s a scam and booking.com
  25. [R76] Booking.com 1/5 · US Booking process: The process is not user friendly and to modify your stay is a complete disaster. Trying to speak to an actual agent is a nightmare
  26. [R92] Booking.com 1/5 · US Cancellation charges: I cancelled a single booking with two rooms and now are being charged a double cancellation fee. Not fair. I inquired with customer service and they put the decision in the property owner's hands. Not a good policy.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store