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When booking a hotel online, you might not realize how much of your data is being collected behind the scenes. Many hotel websites, especially their booking engines, use cookies to track your behavior, store information, or pass data to third-party advertisers.
But how can you check if a hotel’s booking engine is using cookies?
Whether you’re a privacy-conscious traveler, a hotelier, or a tech-savvy guest, here are a few simple ways to find out what’s happening under the hood of a hotel booking page.
1. Use Your Browser’s Built-in Developer Tools
Every modern browser has built-in tools to help you inspect cookies. This is the most direct way to see exactly which cookies are active on any webpage.
Steps (works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox):
1: Go to the hotel’s booking page
This is usually where the booking engine starts, often after clicking a “Book Now” or “Check Availability” button.
2: Open Developer Tools
-
Right-click on the page and select “Inspect”,
- or press Ctrl+Shift+I (on Windows) or Cmd+Option+I (on Mac).
3: Navigate to the Storage or Application Tab
-
In Chrome/Edge: Click the Application tab.
- In Firefox, go to the Storage tab.
4: Look under Cookies
You’ll see a list of domains. Click on the domain of the booking engine.
5:Check the cookie details
You’ll see:
- Cookie names and values
- Expiry dates
- Secure / HTTP-only flags
- Third-party cookies, if any
What to Look For:
Marketing & Analytics Cookies
Examples include:
_ga,_gid→ Google Analytics_fbp,fr→ Facebookajs_user_id,ajs_anonymous_id→ Segment or Mixpanelp
3rd-Party Domains
If cookies are set by domains like google.com, facebook.net, or hotjar.comThe site is tracking user behavior.
2. Use an Online Cookie Scanner Tool
If you don’t want to inspect manually, cookie scanner tools do the work for you. They analyze a website or booking page and report the cookies and trackers used.
Recommended Tools:
- CookieServe – Fast and simple, shows cookie categories.
- Cookiemetrix – Good visual breakdown of first- and third-party cookies.
- Webbkoll – Built by privacy advocates, shows tracking risks.
- BuiltWith – Shows third-party scripts and analytics, though less cookie-specific.
How to Use:
- Go to the tool’s site.
- Enter the URL of the hotel’s booking page. (Tip: This may be a subdomain like
book.hotel.comor a third-party domain likesecure.thebookingbutton.com.) -
Review the report, including:
-
Cookie types and purposes
-
Domain origins
-
Consent status and risks
-
3. Check the Cookie Banner or Privacy Policy
Sometimes the simplest way to tell if cookies are being used is to read what the site tells you (or doesn’t).
On the Booking Page, Look For:
We asked ourselves a simple question: What if a booking engine didn’t need cookies at all?
- A cookie banner or consent pop-up is often at the bottom or center of the screen.
- An option to “reject non-essential cookies”.
- Links to a cookie policy or privacy statement.
In the Privacy Policy, Check For:
- Mention of Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Hotjar, LinkedIn, etc.
- Statements like “We collect anonymized data for marketing purposes.”
- Disclosure of data sharing with third parties
If the booking engine skips consent entirely, that might indicate cookies are being used without explicit permission, potentially violating privacy laws like GDPR.
4. Use Browser Extensions to Detect Trackers
Want real-time alerts when cookies and trackers are loaded? Browser extensions can help you see what’s going on behind the scenes, even if it’s hidden from view.
Recommended Extensions:
We asked ourselves a simple question: What if a booking engine didn’t need cookies at all?
- uBlock Origin Blocks ads and trackers, and shows what scripts are loaded.
- Privacy Badger Developed by EFF, it identifies tracking behavior over time.
- Ghostery provides a tracker breakdown and lets you block them easily.
We asked ourselves a simple question: What if a booking engine didn’t need cookies at all?
Why This Matters
For Guests:
Knowing whether a hotel booking engine uses cookies helps you protect your data and avoid unwanted tracking. You deserve to book your stay without being followed by ads or having your activity logged without consent.
For Hoteliers:
Understanding what cookies your booking engine uses is critical for:
-
Legal compliance (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
-
Maintaining guest trust
-
Improving booking performance by reducing friction
Some third-party engines add trackers without you even knowing. If you want to create a privacy-friendly experience, you may need to audit your providers or consider switching to a cookie-free CultBooking engine.
Read more: Why We Built a Cookie-Free Booking Engine and Why It Matters
Final Thought
Cookies aren’t inherently bad but they should be used transparently and with consent. As privacy laws tighten and user awareness grows, both travelers and hoteliers need to pay attention to the role of tracking in online booking.
By using these simple methods browser tools, online scanners, privacy extensions, and reviewing policies you can see exactly what cookies are being set and make informed decisions.
If you’re a hotelier looking for a booking engine that simplifies compliance, enhances guest trust, and delivers a smoother booking experience, our cookie-free CultBooking engine is made for you.