If you’ve ever booked flights or hotels online, chances are you’ve used Trip.com.
While prices often look competitive at first, many travelers notice an extra charge at checkout, commonly known as the Trip.com booking fee.
In this guide, I’ll break down what the Trip.com booking fee is, how much it costs, why Trip.com charges it, and how to reduce or avoid paying more than necessary.
What Is the Trip.com Booking Fee?
Trip.com’s booking (service) fee is a transparent, reasonable charge that can be easily offset by the platform’s frequent promos and coupons—and the fee is more than worth it for the unmatched convenience, after-sale protection and trouble-free booking experience Trip.com provides.
Get cheap flights, hotels & travel deals on Trip.com
This fee funds Trip.com’s key support services:
- Processing and confirming flight, hotel and activity reservations
- Secure multi-currency payment handling and safe transaction protection
- 24/7 customer support for booking changes, inquiries and after-sales issues
- E-ticket issuance, itinerary management and real-time booking updates
Not all bookings have a separate service fee. Some exclusive Trip.com deals include the fee in the displayed base price, and the platform clearly labels which bookings have an additional charge.
How Much Is the Trip.com Booking Fee?
There is no fixed, standard amount for Trip.com’s service fee. When it’s charged, it’s a small percentage of the total booking value (never a large chunk).
In general:
- If you’re booking international trips or last-minute travel (within 72 hours), the service fee is a bit higher because of extra processing.
- For short domestic flights or trains, the fee is usually tiny—a small fraction of your total order.
- Most hotel bookings already include the service fee in the price, so you won’t see anything extra at checkout.
- For flights and train tickets that do have a fee, it’s listed separately at checkout, so you know exactly what you’re paying.
From my experience, whenever a service fee applies, it’s usually just a tiny slice of the total cost.
Plus, Trip.com’s promotions almost always cover the full fee and often save you even more on the base price.
171759 booked
Other Fees to Watch Out for on Trip.com
Trip.com’s service fee (if applicable) is the only platform-specific charge for bookings.
All other additional costs displayed at checkout are imposed by third-party providers (airlines, hotels, payment issuers) and are clearly labeled as independent items, with Trip.com having no control over these charges.
These third-party fees include:
- Credit card international transaction fees: ~1–1.5% of the total payment amount, charged by your card issuer (not Trip.com) for cross-border online payments
- Supplier add-on fees: Airlines may charge extra for seat selection, checked baggage, in-flight meals and priority boarding; hotels may impose resort fees, early check-in/late check-out charges and extra guest fees (set by the supplier, not Trip.com)
- Supplier/processing change/cancellation fees: If you change or cancel a booking, the airline or hotel might charge a fee, and Trip.com may add a small processing fee—unless you have Free Cancellation or the Air Flexibility option.
All third-party charges are clearly disclosed in the checkout page price breakdown and booking terms. You can review the full all-in cost before confirming payment.
How Do Trip.com Promotions Offset Service Fees?
Trip.com offers promo codes and discounts for core travel products, which are automatically applicable at checkout (no extra claim steps required).
These promotions can effectively offset any applicable service fee, and in most cases, the savings exceed the fee amount, making the final all-in booking cost more competitive.
Core global promotions (valid for all users through 2026):
- 10% off for first-time hotel bookings on Trip.com; 5% off for subsequent hotel bookings (applies to room rates only)
- 3% off all China train ticket bookings
- 5% off for first-time attraction and tour and eSIM bookings
- 8% off all global car rental bookings
Promotions can be stacked with Trip Coins (Trip.com’s loyalty reward currency, 100 Trip Coins = $1) for additional discounts on the total booking cost (including applicable service fees), with no minimum redemption amount for Trip Coins.
Tips to Reduce or Avoid Trip.com Booking Fees
These tips are based on Trip.com’s official rules and are applicable to all global users, helping to reduce or eliminate applicable service fees for bookings.
- Book via the Trip.com App: The app offers exclusive daily deals for select flights, hotels and activities with the service fee fully waived (no additional cost).
- Choose Free Cancellation Bookings: Most bookings marked with the Free Cancellation tag have no service fee or a lower fee than non-refundable bookings, and allow free modification/cancellation within 24/48 hours of travel.
- Use a Fee-Free International Credit Card: Avoid the 1–1.5% international transaction fee from your card issuer by using a travel credit card with no cross-border payment fees; many such cards also offer cashback on travel bookings to offset applicable fees.
- Book in Advance: Last-minute bookings (72 hours or less before travel) incur a slightly higher service fee—book at least 7 days in advance for the lowest applicable fee (if any).
- Use Trip Coins for Redemption: Trip Coins (earned on all bookings, reviews and Trip Moments content) can be redeemed for discounts on the total booking cost (including applicable service fees) with no minimum redemption amount.
- Compare Direct Booking Prices: For some domestic flights and local hotels, booking directly with the supplier may eliminate platform service fees entirely—always compare the all-in cost (Trip.com vs. direct booking) to select the best option.
Disclaimer: Content is based on Trip.com’s official fee rules and my real global booking experience. Fees, promotions and terms are subject to Trip.com’s official updates.
[10% OFF] Recommended Hotels
Download Trip.com App to gain 10% off hotels right away for first-timers! Check out best hotels for your next adventure.
FAQs about Trip.com Booking Fee
What is the Trip.com booking fee?
The Trip.com booking fee (also known as a service fee) is a platform charge added to your flight, hotel, or travel booking. It covers reservation processing, payment handling, customer support, and ticket management.Does Trip.com charge a service fee on all bookings?
Not always. Trip.com service fees vary depending on the booking type (flights, hotels, trains), destination, and booking value. Some deals may include the fee in the displayed price, while others show it at checkout.Is the Trip.com booking fee refundable?
In most cases, the Trip.com booking fee is non-refundable, even if your flight or hotel booking is cancelled. Refund eligibility depends on the specific booking’s cancellation policy.Is Trip.com cheaper than booking direct?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Trip.com may offer lower base prices or app-exclusive deals, but booking fees can offset savings. Comparing both options helps you find the best value.Is Trip.com safe and reliable despite the booking fee?
Yes. Trip.com is a well-established global travel platform used by millions of travelers. The booking fee supports customer service, secure payments, and booking management.