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Booking.com is one of the largest online travel agencies in the world. Based in the Netherlands and operating in over 220 countries and territories, the platform allows users to book hotels, vacation rentals, flights, rental cars, and more. And like many travel platforms, Booking.com offers a loyalty program — but it works a bit differently than most.
Here's what you need to know about Booking.com Rewards, including how the program works and how expiration policies come into play.
How the Booking.com Loyalty Program Works
Rather than earning points to redeem later, Booking.com’s loyalty program focuses on instant discounts and perks.
Booking.com automatically enrolls all users in its Genius loyalty program, and you'll start earning perks after just two completed stays. There are three tiers of “Genius” elite status, and your level is based on how many stays you’ve completed in the past two years:
Genius Level 1
- Unlocked after two stays
- 10% discount at select properties
Genius Level 2
- Unlocked after five stays
- Up to 15% discount
- Free breakfast or room upgrades at select properties
Genius Level 3
- Unlocked after 15 stays
- Up to 20% discount
- Priority customer support
- Free room upgrades and breakfast at even more properties
These Genius perks apply automatically when you search and book on Booking.com — no codes or redemptions needed.
Once you unlock a Genius level, you retain it for at least 12 months and can maintain or upgrade your level by completing more bookings.
What Are Booking.com Rewards?
In addition to the Genius perks, Booking.com sometimes offers cashback-style rewards through:
- Promotional offers
- Referral bonuses
- Partnerships (e.g. with certain credit cards or travel companies)
These come in the form of travel credits that are deposited into your Booking.com Wallet after completing an eligible stay. You can then apply these credits to future bookings.
Do Booking.com Rewards Expire?
Credits in your Booking.com Wallet can expire, but expiration timelines vary depending on the promotion. You will be notified of each expiration date when you receive the reward per the Booking.com FAQ page.
“The expiration date of your reward will be communicated to you when you receive your unique link or unique code. If your reward has expired you will not be able to use it.”
There is no way to extend expiring Wallet credits. Fortunately, Booking.com typically applies Wallet credits automatically at checkout, so you’re unlikely to lose them if you book regularly.
Track your points and miles expiration for 630+ loyalty programs and get email alerts before your miles expire by signing up for a free AwardWallet account.
How to Track Expiration of Booking.com Rewards
Since Booking.com’s Wallet credits have varying expiration dates, it’s smart to keep an eye on your balance, especially if you’ve earned credits from multiple sources.
The best way to do this is by using AwardWallet. Just link your Booking.com account to AwardWallet, and we will track your Wallet credit balance, expiration dates, and recent activity. If you have Wallet credits nearing expiration, we'll notify you with plenty of time to make a booking.
Related: How to Track Your Rewards Using AwardWallet
Our Take
Booking.com’s loyalty program isn’t built around hoarding points — it’s designed to deliver upfront savings and perks. If you’re a frequent user, the Genius tier benefits are automatic and easy to use. And while travel credits can expire, they’re usually applied to your next stay by default. So, as long as you keep booking, there’s little risk of losing out. With different expiration rules across promotions, tracking your credits with AwardWallet can offer peace of mind.
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