Is Booksi legit? What you should know

Booksi might be legit, but a lot of people aren’t convinced. While some travelers report getting cheap trips, others describe scammy behavior. Bait-and-switch tactics, hidden fees, poor customer service, the works. So, is Booksi legit? Technically, yes. But it’s messy.

This guide breaks down what Booksi actually is and why so many people are calling it a scam. We’ll go over Trustpilot and BBB reviews, show you how to spot common booking scams, and explain what to do if you get scammed through Booksi or any similar service.

What is Booksi, and is it legit?

Booksi is a travel deal site that advertises discounted hotel stays and vacation packages. It partners with resorts and travel companies to offer lower prices in exchange for attending promotional events, usually timeshare presentations. You book online, then confirm by calling their customer support lines.

The site itself is real, but you should read the fine print. Many users say the deals work but come with strict conditions and refund limits. It’s smart to check reviews and compare rates on trusted travel sites before you pay. This helps you avoid hidden fees or schedule issues.

Why are travelers calling Booksi a scam?

Plenty of travelers question whether Booksi is legit because the platform shows similar behaviors to common booking scams, including:

• No available dates: Users report having paid for the booking in advance, but the promised hotel or resort was never available, not even years later.
• Hidden extra fees: Some reviewers mentioned alleged extra fees or required charges after booking at a lower price, or being charged when they enrolled in a supposedly “free” promotion.
• Bait-and-switch scam tactics: Several commenters report paying upfront, then being unable to contact Booksi for days to confirm. When they do get in touch, they’re offered a different hotel or dates than promised, and are told refunds aren’t possible.
• Poor or no customer service: Long holds, unanswered calls (as mentioned above), or no replies to support requests.
• Too-good-to-be-true prices: Booksi’s cheap vacation deals come with strings attached, like mandatory two-hour timeshare presentations. While some travelers attend and move on, others feel misled by how Booksi markets these “discounts.”

Now, while many called out Booksi’s shady tactics and poor communication, other Reddit users say they had no real issues—just sat through a timeshare pitch and got a cheap trip.

And to be fair, Booksi does include fine print at the bottom of its site admitting the ads are tied to timeshare promotions. It’s a sneaky detail most people overlook, and while it feels shady, it keeps them on the legal side.

What are Booksi Trustpilot reviews saying?

As of January 2026, the platform sits at a middling 3.4 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, with over 3,800+ reviews. This suggests Booksi is technically legit—just very poorly managed, with misleading advertising and frequently mishandled bookings.

Negative Booksi Trustpilot reviews mirror much of what we’ve discussed above. Most of them were critical of the platform’s poor customer service, having their credit cards charged even when promotions were advertised as free, and the lack of availability at chosen locations. Even worse, considering that Booksi would suggest alternative hotels that were also unavailable.

We also noticed that some of the positive reviews were odd. Short, vague, or even rambling, with no relation to the booking experience, and usually from accounts with a single review. They’re likely fake, but with no way to verify this, you’ll have to trust your own judgment.

How are the Booksi reviews on BBB?

Booksi doesn’t have its own page on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Instead, you’ll find reviews about it under its parent company, Monster Reservations Group. Surprisingly, the company is accredited by the BBB with a B score (the minimum requirement), and stands at a decent 4.46 stars out of 5 based on 4,010 reviews.

That said, the same complaints apply here: hidden fees, lack of transparency, anti-consumer refund policies, and poor customer support, including users receiving numerous calls from the company throughout the week.

Also of note, many of the 5-star reviews follow the same pattern. Namely, brief praise for a “helpful” rep with little to no detail about the actual booking or trip. It doesn’t prove they’re fake, but it still feels sketchy considering how many other customers describe outright awful experiences. There’s rarely any middle ground.

How to avoid online booking scams

Here’s how to ensure your booking is legit, whether you use Booksi, Airbnb, or others:

• Always check reviews first: Places like Reddit, Trustpilot, and even the BBB are great sources for real traveler experiences. They should offer a more honest view of a booking than a cherry-picked review on their homepage.
• Verify cancellation and refund policies: All of these should be clearly outlined on the hotel or booking website. Be wary if the company won’t give straight answers about refunds or how chargebacks work.
• Be wary of urgency tactics: An “only 2 bookings left at this price!” here, and there is nothing to worry about. But if the site constantly pressures you to act fast or demands instant payment, it’s a strong warning sign of a scam.
• Never click suspicious links: Any reservation you make should be done through the official website or phone number. If someone sends you a fishy URL, it might be a phishing link made to steal your logins or get you to install dangerous malware.
• Don’t overshare: While bookings in certain countries like France or Italy require a photo of your ID, check local laws to ensure it’s actually necessary. Never share your Social Security number, full passport details, or other sensitive info that isn’t needed for the reservation.
• Double-check your booking details: If a hotel or booking service can’t provide clear confirmations or travel info, it’s likely not legit.
• Stick to safe payment methods: Use secure banking tools or trusted payment platforms, and never share card details through email or chat.

What to do if you get scammed on Booksi

Even if Booksi is legit in theory, it’s best to know how to act if you fall victim to a booking scam:

• Cut off all contact and gather evidence: Stop messaging the scammer and save emails, receipts, screenshots, and any payment info to document the scam.
• Alert your bank or credit card company: Report the fraud immediately to block charges and see if you can get a refund or have the payment reversed.
• Contact local authorities: File a report with your local police or consumer protection agency (such as the FTC in the US). Provide all evidence to help any investigation.
• Reset passwords and monitor your accounts: Change passwords on affected accounts and watch your bank or login history for unusual activity in the coming weeks.
• Watch out for follow-up tech support scams: Booksi support teams seem to be active on Trustpilot and the BBB. However, be wary of scammers posing as Booksi reps claiming they’ll “fix” your issue in exchange for extra personal info or by allowing remote access to your device.
• Warn other travelers about the scam: Use Trustpilot, BBB, travel forums, or social media to report the scam and help others stay safe.

So is Booksi legit? Our take

As much as we understand those who felt scammed by the service, Booksi doesn’t seem to be an outright fraud. Just a company with poor (or no) communication, confusing terms, and a business model that frustrates more people than it helps.

In the end, we wouldn’t recommend using it. But if you’re going to try your luck regardless, read the terms and conditions thoroughly, make sure you understand how their refunds work, and don’t be surprised if you have to sit through a two-hour timeshare spiel before you can enjoy your vacation.

Is Booksi legit? FAQs

Related: Airbnb scams – what to look out for