5 Ways to Reduce Booking.com Commissions in 2025
For many hoteliers, Booking.com is a double-edged sword: it drives visibility and bookings but also eats into profits with high commissions. In 2025, reducing reliance on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) like Booking.com isn’t just smart — it’s necessary for sustainable growth.
Here are five effective ways to cut commissions and regain control of your revenue
1. Strengthen Your Direct Booking Channel
Your hotel’s website should be your most profitable channel. Yet too many hoteliers treat it as an afterthought.
Action Steps:
1. Invest in a fast, mobile-friendly website with a seamless booking engine.
2. Highlight exclusive perks for direct bookings, like room upgrades, free breakfast, or flexible cancellation.
3. Integrate secure payment options and clear calls-to-action.
2. Strengthen Your Direct Booking Channel
Direct communication is one of your most powerful tools. Past guests and interested visitors should be part of a regularly engaged database.
Action Steps:
1. Collect emails at check-in and via your website.
2. Offer an incentive (e.g., 10% off the next stay) for signing up.
3. Send exclusive offers, last-minute deals, and seasonal packages.
3. Use Meta Search & Retargeting Ads
Tools like Google Hotel Ads, TripAdvisor, and Trivago allow you to appear directly alongside OTAs — with a lower cost per booking.
Action Steps:
1. Connect your booking engine to meta search platforms.
2. Set a competitive direct rate (slightly lower than OTA rates).
3. Run retargeting ads on Google and Facebook to bring back visitors who didn’t book.
3. Incentivize Returning Guests
Loyal guests are your best marketing asset. If someone has already stayed with you via Booking.com, encourage them to book directly next time.
Action Steps:
1. Include a “book direct next time” card or note in their room.
2. Offer a returning guest rate via email or WhatsApp after checkout.
3. Create a loyalty club with simple perks and no complicated signups.
4. Incentivize Returning Guests
Loyal guests are your best marketing asset. If someone has already stayed with you via Booking.com, encourage them to book directly next time.
Action Steps:
1. Include a “book direct next time” card or note in their room.
2. Offer a returning guest rate via email or WhatsApp after checkout.
3. Create a loyalty club with simple perks and no complicated signups.
5. Negotiate Your Booking.com Contract
Many hoteliers don’t realize that Booking.com commissions are negotiable, especially for high-performing properties.
Action Steps:
1. Reach out to your Booking.com account manager with your performance data.
2.Ask for a lower base commission or more visibility for direct booking promotions.
3.Review your participation in programs like Genius or Preferred Partner — they often increase commissions.
