Agoda is a travel booking website that offers a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, hostels, resorts, and apartments. The website was founded in 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand, and has since grown to become one of the leading online travel agencies in the world. In this article, we will provide an overview of Agoda, including its history, services, features, pros, and cons.
History
Agoda was founded by two entrepreneurs, Michael Kenny and Robert Rosenstein, who saw an opportunity to create an online booking platform that catered specifically to the Asian travel market. The company initially focused on hotels in Thailand, but quickly expanded its reach to include other Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
In 2007, Agoda was acquired by the Priceline Group, which is now known as Booking Holdings. This acquisition gave Agoda access to a larger customer base and provided the company with the resources to expand its services and features.
Services
Agoda offers a range of services to travelers, including:
- Accommodation booking: Agoda allows customers to search for and book accommodation in thousands of destinations around the world. The website offers a wide range of options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, and allows customers to filter their search results based on price, location, amenities, and more.
- Flight booking: Agoda also offers flight booking services, allowing customers to search for and book flights to their chosen destination. The website partners with multiple airlines to offer competitive prices and a wide range of flight options.
- Airport transfer booking: Agoda provides airport transfer booking services, allowing customers to arrange for transportation from the airport to their accommodation. The website partners with multiple transportation providers to offer a range of options, including private cars, taxis, and shuttle buses.
Features
Agoda offers several features that make it a popular choice among travelers, including:
- Loyalty program: Agoda has a loyalty program called Agoda Rewards, which allows customers to earn points for every booking they make on the website. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings.
- Price alert feature: Agoda offers a price alert feature that notifies customers when the price of their chosen accommodation drops. This allows customers to book their accommodation at the best possible price.
- Mobile app: Agoda has a mobile app that allows customers to book accommodation, flights, and airport transfers on the go. The app also provides exclusive mobile-only discounts and deals.
Pros
Agoda has several advantages that make it a popular choice among travelers, including:
- Competitive prices: Agoda is known for offering competitive prices on accommodation, often with discounts and promotions.
- Large selection of accommodation options: Agoda offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, and everything in between.
- User-friendly website: Agoda’s website is easy to navigate, and the booking process is straightforward.
- Customer reviews: Agoda provides customer reviews of accommodation options, allowing customers to get an idea of what to expect before they book.
- Loyalty program: Agoda has a loyalty program that rewards customers with points that can be redeemed for discounts on future bookings.
- Mobile app: Agoda has a mobile app that allows customers to book accommodation on the go and receive exclusive mobile-only discounts.
Cons
Agoda also has some potential drawbacks that customers should be aware of, including:
- Hidden fees: Some customers have reported hidden fees when booking with Agoda, such as service fees or taxes that were not included in the advertised price.
- Limited customer service: Agoda’s customer service can be slow to respond, and some customers have reported difficulties in resolving issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Agoda is a popular online travel agency that offers a wide range of accommodation options, flights, and airport transfer services to customers around the world. The company has a user-friendly website, a loyalty program, and a mobile app that provides customers with exclusive discounts and promotions.
Agoda’s competitive pricing and large selection of accommodation options make it a popular choice among travelers, but there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of, such as hidden fees and limited customer service.
Overall, Agoda is a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking travel, and its features and services make it a great option for customers looking to find the best deals on accommodation, flights, and airport transfers.
