Is Booking better, or is Despegar the way to go? Which is more reliable? These are common questions among travelers. Both platforms were created to transform the way we plan our trips and accommodations.
Each has millions of users worldwide. Despegar operates in about 24 countries across the Americas and Spain, while Booking.com spans over 220 countries.
However, to answer these questions, we need to take a closer look at both Despegar and Booking. So, if you’re looking for answers, stay with us and read until the end.
Despegar and Booking.com are both options that let you plan and manage various aspects of your trip.
Here’s a closer look at what each one offers and how they work:
Despegar is a leader in hotel booking, especially across Latin America. Founded in 1999, Despegar allows users to book flights, accommodations, vacation packages, and more. While it's well-known, Despegar primarily targets Spanish-speaking travelers.
How it Works?
You enter the website, select your destination, dates, and see a list of options with relevant details, such as prices. Once you decide, you select the most convenient payment method, and you’re all set.
Booking.com is a global travel company that specializes in reservations and lodging. Founded in 1996, it’s known as one of the biggest platforms in the travel sector, particularly for its extensive range of hostels, hotels, and other accommodations worldwide.
How it Works?
It’s similar to Despegar. You go to their website, add your destination, dates, and preferences. You can also use filters for price, location, or additional services. The site will show you the best results based on the information you enter.
One significant difference is that Despegar often acts as an all-in-one intermediary, managing the booking and payment process on behalf of the provider. In most cases, you don’t have direct contact with the accommodation until check-in. Any inquiries go through Despegar.
In contrast, Booking.com allows direct communication with your lodging site, so you can coordinate arrival or confirm additional details. You may also have the option to pay upon arrival.
Another difference is that Despegar is designed to cater to the Spanish-speaking market, while Booking.com has a worldwide reach, especially in Europe and the United States.
It’s also worth noting that Despegar offers various travel services, including airline tickets, packages, and hotels. Booking.com specializes in accommodations but also provides car rentals, flights, taxis, and packages.
Here’s a summary of the main differences between Despegar and Booking.com:
Aspect | Despegar | Booking.com |
Coverage | Latin America | Global, over 220 countries |
Role | Intermediary: manages booking and limits direct contact until check-in. | Connector: allows direct contact between guest and lodging. |
Types of Bookings | Flights, lodging, packages, cars, activities. | Mainly lodging, but also offers flights and car rentals. |
Cancellation Policies | Varies by provider (airline, hotel, rental company) and booking terms. | Primarily determined by each accommodation but clearly displayed. |
Customer Support | Spanish-speaking support. | Multi-language support available 24/7. |
Overall, Booking and Expedia are some of the most popular and well-rated options.
Booking is widely considered reliable due to its long history and global recognition. Millions of clients continue to book accommodations through its platform, which speaks volumes about its dependability.
On the other hand, Despegar is well-suited for the Latin American market and often more convenient for Mexican users. It also has millions of customers in the countries where it operates.
You’ll still find both positive and negative reviews online regarding reliability. But another way to determine which is better, Booking or Despegar, is to look at their pros and cons.
Pros | Cons |
User-friendly platform. Local currency and installment payment options. Offers a range of travel services for full trip planning. Exclusive promotions and financing. Spanish-language services and localized support. | Refunds may take time if issues or cancellations arise. |
Pros | Cons |
Robust review system. Global coverage. Clearly states if the booking is cancelable. Regular discounts and promotions. Quick and easy booking process. | Refunds may take time if issues or cancellations arise. |
Aside from Booking and Despegar, you can plan your next trip using other platforms that offer different features and benefits. Some notable companies include:
Expedia: A comprehensive online agency for booking flights and other travel services.
Google Flights: A flight search engine ideal for comparing and booking affordable trips. It provides calendar and map options for a quick view of prices and destinations.
Skyscanner: A platform that searches and tracks prices across travel agencies and airlines in real-time. It also redirects you to the provider’s site to complete your booking without additional fees.
For booking affordable trips, Expedia, Google Flights, and Skyscanner are helpful tools for any user.
Both platforms use pricing and discount strategies to your advantage, but they have key differences.
Here are some sample comparisons between Despegar and Booking:
Destination | Duration | Layover | Despegar | Booking |
Rome, Italy | 1 week | 1 | From 35,467 MXN | From 18,794.56 MXN |
Madrid | 1 week | 1 | From 26,708 MXN | From 18,904.12 MXN |
Miami | 1 week | Non-stop | From 7,320 MXN | From 6,615.79 MXN |
Keep in mind that these amounts depend on several factors, such as the airline, days, destination or status you choose. For example, if you choose business class, of course, it will be more expensive.
If your intention is to spend less, you should ideally opt for the cheapest options. In addition, one of the tricks to save money is to take advantage of the packages offered by Despegar or Booking.
Despegar, for example, often has tourist packages to pay in instalments and without interest for national destinations. Don't miss out on promotions either, which are regularly run on both platforms.
Despegar or Booking, which is better?
Despegar has several points in its favour. For starters, it handles all transactions through its platform. Also, being a Latin America-focused company, it is well regarded for providing local payment options. But most attractive, for many, are its special promotions and financing for booking cheap travel, whether in or out of Mexico.
Booking, on the other hand, enjoys a wide reputation from users around the world. It has different types of accommodations, from hotels, inns and houses to flats and cabins.
It may also offer many more cheap flight options than Despegar.
What is the best way to pay on Despegar or Booking?
Using the DolarApp card, as it works in both pesos and digital dollars. So, you can pay at Despegar in MXN or at Booking in USDc, which makes it the more convenient option.
The best thing is that if you take it with you on your travels, you can use it in restaurants or other places where Mastercard is accepted. And if you want cash, all you have to do is go to an ATM without risking exchange bureaux de change scams.
Get yours by downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
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