Booking.com Seeks Compromise Between Renters and Hosts
Photo Credit: Eric Bergaglia, senior director, global head of accommodations segments, Booking.com, at the Skift Short-Term Rental Summit in June 2023. Photo by Ryan Bourque. Source: Skift. Skift / Ryan Bourque
Skift Take
Booking's Smart Flex product is essentially another example of so-called fintech products that are making the travel industry more creative in solving problems for consumers and suppliers.
Many renters of vacation homes want the free option to cancel reservations if necessary, while hosts want confirmed, non-refundable bookings. Entering the fray is Booking.com, which encourages hosts to accept a compromise.
The online travel giant introduced its Smart Flex program last year, which adds cancellat
