auburnfive
Veteran Member
I am a self confessed pre-booker looking after the arrangements for my group of 5 on the Frances. I do about half and half booking.com and directly through email. Our last Camino was in 2019, a few changes
- many more places on booking.com require payment in advance, your credit card is charged 3-7 days before arrival, I prefer to pay cash on arrival which is usually the case with direct booking. Last minute cancellations I suppose are more difficult for the proprietor.
- some places require payment when booking, sometimes for a lower price, not worth the risk IMHO
- there are many more apartment style accommodations now even in smaller places ( along the Frances) available on booking.com, if you are looking for apartments is simpler than going through Airbnb, although if you are having a bag shipped could be an issue
- I have rarely had any luck getting a response to the booking forms on an accommodations website, sending an email has had much better results.
- many more places on booking.com require payment in advance, your credit card is charged 3-7 days before arrival, I prefer to pay cash on arrival which is usually the case with direct booking. Last minute cancellations I suppose are more difficult for the proprietor.
- some places require payment when booking, sometimes for a lower price, not worth the risk IMHO
- there are many more apartment style accommodations now even in smaller places ( along the Frances) available on booking.com, if you are looking for apartments is simpler than going through Airbnb, although if you are having a bag shipped could be an issue
- I have rarely had any luck getting a response to the booking forms on an accommodations website, sending an email has had much better results.