Booking.com sued by 10,000+ European hotels over price‑parity
More than 10,000 hotels across Europe – now 10,783 participants – have joined a collective action coordinated by the Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance (SHCA) with support from HOTREC and national hotel associations. The lawsuit, filed in the district court of Amsterdam, accuses Booking.com of using price‑parity clauses between 2004 and 2024 that prevented hotels from offering lower rates on their own websites or other platforms, limiting competition and inflating commissions.
The claimants seek compensation that could reach several billion euros, estimating roughly 30% of the commissions paid to Booking.com over the period, plus interest. The action has been expanded in stages, allowing additional hotels – including Polish properties – to join until 11 September. Booking.com rejects the allegations, arguing the clauses fostered competitive pricing and cites a recent EU Court of Justice ruling from September 2024. The case could reshape the contractual relationship between hotels and online travel agencies throughout Europe.
Entities: Amsterdam District Court · Booking.com · European hotel industry · HOTREC · Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Booking.com denies the allegations, saying the clauses promoted competitive pricing and cites a EU Court of Justice ruling from September 2024.
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 10,000 European hotels (specifically 10,783) have joined the collective lawsuit against Booking.com.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The case is being heard in the district court of Amsterdam because Booking.com is based in the Netherlands and contracts specify Dutch jurisdiction.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Plaintiffs seek compensation that could amount to several billion euros, roughly 30% of commissions paid to Booking.com plus interest.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Polish hotels may join the lawsuit until 11 September, and the latest expansion raised participants to 10,783.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The lawsuit is coordinated by Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance with support from HOTREC and national hotel associations.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Booking.com used price‑parity clauses from 2004‑2024 that prevented hotels from offering lower prices on their own channels or other platforms.