Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-10-23
Booking a hotel online should feel exciting, not suspicious. But a current case brought by the EU Commission shows just how professional scam attempts linked to travel bookings have now become.
The good news: that doesn’t mean you have to stop booking online. What matters is where you search, where you pay and when you enter your payment details.
Why are hotel bookings such a hot topic right now?
On 21 October 2026, the EU Commission opened formal proceedings against a major European booking platform. Among other things, it is investigating whether enough was done to tackle fraudulent accommodation listings, phishing and the misuse of booking data. Another point under review is how clearly paid placements in search results can be recognised by users.
One thing matters here: an investigation is not a guilty verdict. The proceedings are meant to clarify whether the applicable European rules were followed. Even so, the case matters for travellers because it shows one thing clearly: fraud no longer has to start with an obviously fake website.
How does fraud work after a genuine hotel booking?
The most devious cases are those where travellers really have booked a hotel. Criminals try to gain access to accommodation systems or accounts. They then contact guests using real information: the hotel name, travel dates and reservation details all match up.
Then comes the message: your credit card needs to be confirmed again, a payment has failed, or your room will be cancelled unless you act immediately. The link takes you to a page that looks convincingly real. That is exactly the problem: just because a message knows your real travel details does not mean the payment link is safe.
7 warning signs when booking a hotel
| Normal booking process | Warning sign |
|---|---|
| Payment happens as agreed at the time of booking | Suddenly an extra payment is requested |
| You open the provider or app yourself | A message sends you to a new payment link |
| Clear payment terms | ‘Pay now or you’ll lose your room’ |
| A familiar payment method | An unusual bank transfer or new card check |
| Correct web address | A similar-looking or unknown domain |
| Price and fees are easy to follow | New fees appear without explanation |
| You can contact the provider or hotel | The message creates pressure and discourages questions |
What does Reisedrop do differently when you book?
We want you to be able to compare and understand first — and only then book. Reisedrop shows you hotels, flights, cruises and activities clearly, with the total price and conditions visible at a glance.
For hotels, you book and pay directly on reisedrop.com. Payment runs through a secure payment service (Stripe); you enter your card details in its protected form. Before you complete the booking, you can see who your contractual partner is for the stay, the total price including taxes and fees, and the cancellation terms.
For some partner offers, such as certain activities and events, we clearly redirect you to the relevant provider. That’s where you complete the booking and make the payment. So you always know who you are booking with before any payment details come into play.
And one rule applies with us without exception: after a booking, we never ask for an extra payment by link, email, SMS or chat. If you receive such a message in our name, it is not from us. Our goal is not to push an offer on you as quickly as possible, but to help you make a sensible decision. Because our credo is simple: booking should be fun again.
Is booking through Reisedrop safe?
For hotels, payment takes place on reisedrop.com through the secure payment process; for partner offers, payment is made with the provider shown. Even so, before completing any booking you should still check the price, payment terms, cancellation rules and web address.
We do not want to sell safety with an unrealistic promise. No reputable travel comparison site can guarantee that scam attempts will never appear anywhere on the internet. What we can do is create a transparent booking journey and help you understand offers before you decide.
What should you check before paying?
Before booking a hotel, we would check seven things:
- Does the provider’s web address look right?
- Does the final price match the offer you selected?
- Are taxes and extra fees clearly shown?
- What cancellation terms apply?
- When will your credit card be charged?
- Is it clear which company you are booking with?
- Did you open the payment page yourself through the normal booking process?
Be especially careful with that last point. A payment page sent to you unexpectedly by email, SMS or chat deserves extra checking.
What should you do if you get an unexpected payment request?
Do not pay under pressure. Open your original booking yourself and first check the agreed payment terms. If no new payment is requested there, you should be sceptical. If a message claims to come directly from the hotel, contact the accommodation — ideally using contact details you found independently of the suspicious message.
The most important rule: time pressure is not a reason to skip a security check. It is a reason to look even more closely.
What should you do if you have already entered your credit card details?
If you entered card details on a suspicious page, contact your card provider quickly; if necessary, the card will be blocked. If you also entered a password, change it immediately — and anywhere else you use the same password. If fraudulent charges have already gone through, you should also contact the relevant authorities and document the incident.
Who this guide is not enough for
If money has already been taken, you entered your credit card details on a suspicious page, or your accommodation suddenly can no longer be found, do not rely on online guides alone. In that case, you need direct support from your card provider, booking company, accommodation or, where appropriate, the police or cybersecurity authorities. Reisedrop cannot reverse a payment either if you made it on a third-party site or with an external provider. For us, transparency also means being clear about where our responsibility ends.
Booking safely does not mean being afraid to book
Millions of travel bookings work smoothly every day. The current EU proceedings are not a reason to distrust online bookings across the board — but they are a good reason to look more closely when paying. Compare. Understand. Decide. No artificial rush, no decisions under pressure. Because for us, a holiday does not begin only on the plane or at the hotel, but the moment you start planning with confidence.
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FAQ
Is a hotel found through Reisedrop automatically safe?
For hotels, you book and pay directly on reisedrop.com through a secure payment process, and you can see the contractual partner, total price and cancellation terms beforehand. Even so, it is still worth checking these details briefly before you complete the booking.
Why is a clear booking journey important?
You can see which company you are booking with and where the payment takes place. For partner offers, Reisedrop clearly redirects you to the provider so it remains transparent who handles the booking and payment.
Is a message with my real booking details automatically trustworthy?
No. Fraudulent messages can contain real reservation details. If you get an unexpected payment request, you should always open your booking separately.
Do I have to confirm my credit card again after booking a hotel?
Not as a general rule. First check the terms of your original booking. Reisedrop never asks for an extra payment by link, email, SMS or chat after a booking.
Can I still book hotels online without worry?
Yes, if you follow a few basic rules: check the provider, web address, total price and payment terms, and do not let later payment requests pressure you for time.
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