Did you know that over 130,000 people in the Netherlands are now suing the booking giant, Booking.com? Yes, you read that right! The Dutch Consumer Association, in cooperation with the CCC foundation, accuses this platform of artificially inflating hotel prices for years. So much for fair market competition! This massive class-action lawsuit was so huge it even caused a temporary crash of Booking’s complaint registration system last Thursday.
According to the association, Booking violated fair competition rules by raising accommodation prices, potentially costing users hundreds of millions of euros. Each affected user could receive compensation ranging from tens to even hundreds of euros! The lawsuit covers all Dutch citizens who booked accommodation through Booking.com since January 1, 2014. Even those who booked directly with hotels might have been affected by these inflated prices due to Booking’s market influence.
Booking has denied the allegations, claiming it always strives to offer the best possible prices and a transparent booking experience. But is that really the case? The court process could drag on for years, but it’s already clear this case has stirred up a storm.
If you’ve ever used Booking.com, maybe it’s time to ask yourself — have you been paying more than you should? And isn’t it time we all stand up against such shady practices? Share your story, maybe together we’ll uncover even more secrets from the world of online bookings!
