Table of contents
From 28 June 2026, Booking.com will remove the current setting ‘Max. number of children at child rate’. This change affects hotels that offer family rooms or accommodate children at discounted rates.
For many hotels, this will improve the visibility of family-friendly rooms. At the same time, revenue managers and hotel operators should check that their child rates and room capacities are still displayed correctly.
What changes will there be at Booking.com from June 2026?
Booking.com is removing the setting ‘Max. number of children at the child rate’.
Until now, hotels have been able to specify how many children in a room would actually be charged the child rate. Any additional children were automatically treated as adults.
From June 2026, the specified child rate will automatically apply to all children permitted under the room configuration.
This will ensure that room capacities and child rates are displayed more consistently in future.
How do children’s rates work on Booking.com?
Children’s rates enable hotels to offer special terms to families.
Depending on the hotel, the following may apply:
- Children may stay free of charge
- reduced children’s rates may apply
- age-based rates may be set
- flexible children’s rates may be used
These settings not only affect the final price of a booking, but also a hotel’s visibility in search results.
Why have some family rooms not been displayed so far?
In the past, incorrect or ambiguously configured child rates could result in family rooms being shown as unavailable.
For example:
A room was suitable for two adults and two children.
However, if a child rate was only entered for one child, Booking.com treated the second child as an adult.
If the maximum adult capacity had already been reached, the room no longer appeared in the search results – even though it would actually have been suitable for the family.
Which hotels are affected by the change?
This change is particularly relevant for:
- Family hotels
- Resorts
- Holiday hotels
- City hotels with family-friendly facilities
- Serviced apartments
- Hotels with shared rooms
- Hotels with age-based children’s rates
Benefits of the update for hotels
- Greater visibility for family rooms: Suitable rooms are displayed correctly more often
- Higher chances of bookings: Families can find suitable offers more easily
- Fewer sources of technical errors: Confusing settings are eliminated
- Greater transparency: The pricing logic becomes easier for guests to understand
Potential risks for revenue management and pricing strategy
Hotels should check whether their average family rates are changing.
Hotels that do the following are particularly affected:
- only accommodate a limited number of children free of charge
- have previously charged for several children as adults
- use complex pricing structures for children
Otherwise, the average rate per family booking may fall.
Recommendations for hotels
Before 28 June 2026, hotels should:
- Review children’s rates
- Check family rooms
- Validate room capacities
- Review flexible children’s rates
- Carry out test bookings
- Analyse the impact on revenue management
Conclusion
The Booking.com update provides greater transparency and improves the visibility of family-friendly rooms.
At the same time, hotels should review their children’s rates, room capacities and pricing strategies to avoid any undesirable effects on revenue and average rates.
Those who analyse the changes at an early stage can capitalise on the benefits whilst avoiding potential losses in revenue.
FAQ
Hotels can set individual children’s rates and age-based prices to offer families attractive deals.
Flexible children’s rates allow for differentiated pricing for children depending on their age and room configuration.
Family-friendly rooms will be displayed correctly more often in future, which means they can generate more bookings.
Yes. If additional children were previously charged at the adult rate, family bookings may become cheaper in future.
Children’s rates, room capacities and revenue management settings should be reviewed and adjusted where necessary.
