Apple Card Now Fast-Tracks Booking.com Perks With Just One Trip

[MacRumors]

Apple Card users now have a new benefit available to them at Booking.com, with users automatically being upgraded to Genius Level 2 after completing just one eligible stay or car rental rather than the usual standard of five bookings within a two-year period.

Genius is Booking.com's free loyalty program, with Level 2 unlocking a number of benefits including discounts of 10–15% on select stays and car rentals as well as free breakfast and/or room upgrades at select stays.

Booking.com has been a premier Apple Card partner for some time now, with users receiving enhanced 3% Daily Cash when booking stays and car rentals using Apple Card with Apple Pay, and users also receiving 2% in Booking.com Travel Credits.

Article Link: Apple Card Now Fast-Tracks Booking.com Perks With Just One Trip

 

[DocMultimedia]

I wonder how many people use Booking. I used it in the earlier days of the web, but now use apps by various hotel brands since I often get good deals.

 

[1point21gigawatts]

Done with Goldman Sacs and Apple Card. Received the spam email this morning at 6:30 about the Booking "benefit." (I don't use third-party booking apps after getting burned on a reservation.) Anyway, there is no way to unsubscribe from Apple Card marketing emails; they go to my Apple ID email, which I don't give out to anyone. There's no link in the email to unsubscribe. Apple privacy preferences have nothing about Apple Card marketing emailsCalled Apple Card support, and all I can do is close my account to stop the spam. Ridiculous.

 

[kotaKat]

And when you get screwed over at the hotel, just remember: the hotel can't help you, Booking screwed up the reservation 🙂

Just book direct and save yourself the hassle.

 

[FightTheFuture]

And when you get screwed over at the hotel, just remember: the hotel can't help you, Booking screwed up the reservation 🙂

Just book direct and save yourself the hassle.

The hotel will even match the rates of these middlemen if you call them.

 

[Yimbaz]

They’re going to have to hit a lot harder than that if they want to start competing with other cards on travel.

 

[Brother Cavil]

I wonder how many people use Booking. I used it in the earlier days of the web, but now use apps by various hotel brands since I often get good deals.

I use them because I can double dip on miles through the AAdvantage eShopping website. Booking usually gives 3 miles/dollar on reservations made through the eShopping site, in addition to whatever credit card benefits one earns.

I’ve never had any issues with Booking. One time I arrived at a hotel and the room was beyond filthy. I took a few photos, called Booking, sent them the photos and they refunded me no questions asked. I’ve been very happy with them and getting to double dip on miles is great.

 

[TwoBytes]

Shame booking.com has completely abysmal service and no way to speak to a human being. Their customer service is literally AI with pauses and background noises in a forget language to simulate a call centre.

I hope I never have to book with them ever again.

As for Apple Card, it's a strange partnership.

 

[tooloud10]

I book a few hotel rooms every month and just go with whatever rate is the best. Never had a problem with a third party booking service like booking.com or hotels.com, etc.

 

[AppleWes]

I book a few hotel rooms every month and just go with whatever rate is the best. Never had a problem with a third party booking service like booking.com or hotels.com, etc.

If any unforeseen circumstances happen it's 100x easier if you've booked direct since hotel has complete control over stay.
Travel agents and 3rd party websites are a nightmare for last minute changes or if you show up and property can't find reservation.

Having worked in hospitality it amazes me how many guests willingly input credit card to first random Google booking link they find.

 

[tominco]

I just wish you could cancel cards and not get a credit score hit. I've completely stopped using the Apple Card.

 

[mudflap]

I just wish you could cancel cards and not get a credit score hit. I've completely stopped using the Apple Card.

In my experience it's not a big hit and it doesn't last too long. But of course if your Apple Card limit is $15,000 and you remove $15,000 from your total available credit, that might be a bigger hit? I've only cancelled cards between $2,000 and $4,000 so it wasn't as big of a deal for me.

 

[mansplains]

I choose to believe this partnership was made solely based on the Genius branding.

 

[sevoneone]

I do really appreciate the simplicity and flexibility of Apple Card and the daily cash setup... But it would be nice if they had some real air travel benefits too.

 

[RoadCyclistID]

I use booking.com for all our travel worldwide. Never had an issue to this point and seem to get really good deals. No need for "Apple" to give me a level.

 

[TruthAboveAllElse]

Done with Goldman Sacs and Apple Card. Received the spam email this morning at 6:30 about the Booking "benefit." (I don't use third-party booking apps after getting burned on a reservation.) Anyway, there is no way to unsubscribe from Apple Card marketing emails; they go to my Apple ID email, which I don't give out to anyone. There's no link in the email to unsubscribe. Apple privacy preferences have nothing about Apple Card marketing emailsCalled Apple Card support, and all I can do is close my account to stop the spam. Ridiculous.

That sounds like a violation of FCC regulations.

 

[rmn1644]

I travel a lot in Asia and have top tier Booking.com status after many stays.

It is the most worthless thing ever. Same with Agoda.

 

[contraband]

Is Booking status any good? I've never heard about it elsewhere, outside of this deal now with Apple.