Algotels: Scam Or Legit Hotel Booking? See What Customers Say!

Justina Fahey 09 May 2025

Are you planning your dream vacation, only to stumble upon an unbelievably good hotel deal? Beware, that deal might be too good to be true, and you might be walking straight into an elaborate scam orchestrated by companies like Algotels. The burning question echoing across travel forums and review sites is, "Is Algotels legit for hotels?" The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding and increasingly alarming no, according to a growing chorus of defrauded customers and industry insiders. This isn't just about losing money; it's about ruined vacations, frantic scrambles for alternative accommodations, and the bitter taste of betrayal when what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway turns into a financial and emotional nightmare.

The internet is rife with complaints detailing similar experiences. Customers, lured in by attractive prices on platforms like TripAdvisor and Trivago, book hotels through Algotels, only to discover upon arrival that their reservations are either nonexistent or drastically different from what they paid for. Some find themselves double-charged, while others are informed that their "non-refundable" bookings are, in fact, impossible to cancel, despite promises made during the initial booking process. The frustration is palpable, with individuals reporting countless hours wasted on phone calls, emails, and futile attempts to recoup their losses. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Algotels often appears as a legitimate option on reputable travel sites, lending a veneer of credibility to their deceptive practices. This has led to intense scrutiny of these platforms, with many questioning their vetting processes and demanding greater accountability in ensuring the authenticity of their listed partners. Is TripAdvisor complicit in promoting this scam by including Algotels in their deals tab? This is a question many disgruntled customers are asking.

Topic	Information
Nature of Algotels	A third-party hotel booking platform with widespread reports of fraudulent and deceptive practices.
Common Complaints	Non-existent or incorrect hotel reservations Double-charging or unauthorized charges Inability to cancel reservations despite initial promises Misleading pricing and hidden fees (e.g., taxes not remitted to hotels) Poor customer service and difficulty in resolving issues
Modus Operandi	Offering significantly lower prices to attract customers Exploiting the lack of direct communication between hotels and third-party booking platforms Paying hotels a minimum amount, potentially for only a portion of the booked stay, and pocketing the difference Utilizing SSL protection protocol claims to falsely assure payment security
Associated Platforms	Frequently appears on TripAdvisor and Trivago, raising questions about their vetting processes for listed partners.
Industry Impact	Damages the reputation of legitimate travel platforms and hotels by association and erodes consumer trust in online booking services.
Consumer Advice	Book directly with hotels whenever possible to avoid third-party scams. Thoroughly research any third-party booking platform before making a reservation. Be wary of unusually low prices that seem too good to be true. Carefully review all booking terms and conditions, including cancellation policies. Check for consistent and verifiable contact information for the booking platform. Monitor credit card statements for unauthorized charges.

One particularly alarming account comes from a front desk supervisor at Le Meridien Dallas by the Galleria, who reveals that their hotel is just one of many grappling with the fallout from Algotels' deceptive practices. This insider perspective sheds light on the chaos and confusion caused by these fraudulent bookings, placing added strain on hotel staff who must deal with angry and stranded customers. The supervisor's testimony highlights a critical flaw in the system: hotels often lack the ability to discern which third-party platform facilitated a booking, making it easier for Algotels to exploit the situation. This lack of transparency allows them to pay the hotel a fraction of the agreed-upon price, leaving the customer shortchanged and the hotel scrambling to accommodate them. The resort fee is charged by the hotel directly and cannot be paid to algotels and How can i be assured payment through the algotels site is secure? To ensure the security of all payments made online, we use the ssl protection protocol, which guarantees full security of transmitted information. Are the answers you will get from them.

The specific details of these scams vary, but the underlying theme remains consistent: Algotels takes payment for services they don't fully deliver. One customer, for example, recounts booking a two-night stay in Scottsdale and being charged $360. Upon arrival, the hotel had no record of the reservation. Fortunately, the hotel had a room available and allowed the customer to check in, charging them only $314. The customer immediately attempted to contact Algotels to rectify the discrepancy, only to be met with silence and unreturned calls. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, including eleven phone calls, the customer was left with two charges on their statement, highlighting the company's blatant disregard for customer service and basic business ethics. Algotels is a scam and my question is: Tripadvisor, why do you list them as a legitimate link under the deals tab when you click on a hotel choice? It gives this scam company legitimacy and ruins your reputation. Tripadvisor, if you cared about your customers, this would not be a link on your website.

Another common complaint revolves around Algotels' bait-and-switch tactics regarding cancellation policies. Customers report booking hotels with the understanding that they can cancel up to 30 days in advance, only to receive a confirmation email stating that no refunds are allowed. This deceptive practice preys on customers who may need to adjust their travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving them trapped with a non-refundable booking and no recourse for recovering their money. The way algotels is pulling off the scam is that the hotels cant tell which 3rd party booked and So when you book 2 rooms or get one for more than one night algotels pays the hotel the minimum amount (ex: Pays for one of two nights) leaving you without a room or in my case one of 2 rooms and algotels keeps the remainder of the money you spent. Algotels spent some 4 hours to solve this simple problem. They also charged an extra amount as taxes over the room price, but the hotel did not receive it, so we had to pay the city taxes to the hotel.

The question then becomes, why do websites like Scamadviser give algotels.com an "average to good" trust score? According to Scamadviser, their assessment is based on an automated algorithm that analyzes 40 facts found online in public sources, including the website's security protocols. However, this automated analysis often fails to capture the full scope of the problem, as it doesn't account for the numerous negative reviews and firsthand accounts of fraudulent activity. This reliance on purely technical factors can create a false sense of security, leading unsuspecting customers to believe that Algotels is a legitimate and safe option. Is algotels legit for hotels? We did not find results for: Check spelling or type a new query.

The consequences of booking through Algotels can extend beyond financial losses. Consider the traveler who booked a hotel through Trivago, only to discover that the check-in date was incorrect. Upon contacting Algotels to rectify the error, they were informed that only Algotels could make the necessary changes, despite the hotel having availability for the desired date and the deal being the same. This bureaucratic roadblock wasted valuable time and caused unnecessary stress, highlighting the inflexibility and lack of customer support that characterize Algotels' operations. I called the hotel and they have a room for that night but algotels has to make the change. The deal is the same for the date i wanted. I clicked this deal through the trivago site. When i booked the hotel it said i could cancel up to 30 days ahead. When the confirmation came thru it said no refunds. I realized i had the wrong check in date and contacted immediately. Call for deals & advice! I called the hotel and they have a room for that night but algotels has to make the change. The deal is the same for the date i wanted. I clicked this deal through the trivago site.

So, what can travelers do to protect themselves from falling victim to scams like Algotels? The first and most crucial step is to exercise caution when booking through third-party websites. While these platforms can offer attractive deals, it's essential to do your research and read reviews from multiple sources before handing over your credit card information. Look for consistent patterns of complaints, and be wary of unusually low prices that seem too good to be true. Whenever possible, book directly with the hotel, as this eliminates the intermediary and provides a direct line of communication should any issues arise. Additionally, carefully review all booking terms and conditions, including cancellation policies, before finalizing your reservation. If you do encounter problems with Algotels, document everything, including dates, times, names of representatives you spoke with, and copies of all communications. File complaints with consumer protection agencies and online review sites to warn other potential victims. By sharing your experiences, you can help to expose these deceptive practices and prevent others from falling prey to these scams. Ultimately, the best defense against Algotels and similar companies is to be an informed and vigilant consumer, always prioritizing caution over convenience when booking your travel arrangements.