Booking madness 2025: spontaneous trips vs. online pressure on vacation!

Booking madness 2025: spontaneous trips vs. online pressure on vacation!

Summer vacation is just around the corner and many travelers are already starting to book their dream trip. taz reports that the booking madness has already begun. Vacation candidates are increasingly spending a lot of time researching online and comparing offers. Advance bookings have now become the norm among younger generations.

The pressure to secure accommodation in advance is not only increased by cheaper comparison portals, but also by the fear of not being able to find a room if you make spontaneous decisions. In particular, the phenomenon of so-called “dynamic pricing” is driving up prices and putting further pressure on travelers.

Advantages and disadvantages of online booking

Online portals such as booking.com are popular places to plan vacations, but they charge high commissions from hotels. NDR highlights that there are numerous disadvantages to using such platforms: prices can fluctuate, fake reviews are common, and additional service fees often only become apparent during the payment process. It is also recommended not only to check the prices on comparison portals, but also to look directly on the providers' websites, as cheaper offers often exist.

The temptation to take advantage of discounts and special offers on these portals can quickly lead to a trap. Often these discounts are only available with an expensive, auto-renewing premium subscription. Some portals such as fluege.de also charge a service fee, which can only be discounted for certain members.

Additional costs and offers

Consumer advocates also warn against unnecessary additional services such as luggage or travel cancellation insurance, which are not always necessary. Fees during the payment process are not illegal per se, but there should be at least one free payment option.

Dynamic pricing, through which prices react to demand in real time, ensures that they can fluctuate. Surprising price changes can even be influenced by users' surfing behavior. Those who repeatedly search for an offer could end up paying higher prices. Since May 2022, booking portals have been required to clearly state when prices are individualized based on personal data.

Experiences and expectations

The trend towards spontaneous travel, which previously often offered the opportunity for unforgettable experiences and personal encounters, is dwindling. Today's travelers are often fixated on their cell phones, which makes them less aware of their surroundings. Disappointments are also quickly spread via social media, which can further tarnish the travel experience.

Overall, it shows that the current booking craze is limiting the joy of traveling. A conscious use of booking portals and a critical look at the offers can help to improve the travel experience and avoid unexpected costs.