If anything the flight bit is even worse.

I've made thousands of reservations work booking.com, this does not happen.

I have done dozens of reservations and never heard of anything like that.

Maybe don't book places with fewer than 5 reviews? Same goes to airbnb or any platform that allows for anyone to publish a listing.

On the other hand had one severe issue with a booking on airbnb and they essentially told me to go fuck myself.

The last trip to Brasil I had problems with AirBnB - both incorrect listings (e.g. wrong location) and listings that weren't actually available.

I've used booking.com around the world and I can't recall any serious problem. When dealing with an issue, AirBnB error flow often sucks and booking is mostly fine.

When AirBnB works out great, you can find some real magic, but when it fails it really sucks.

I've found booking.com is usually more hotel-like and professional (e.g. contactable and reliable).

I still use both but I'm careful to choose depending on perceived risks.

Disclosure: long booking.com

Use booking.com for discovering hotels then book direct. Never had issues doing that

What does that have to do with their user facing experience?

Last I heard they're also a company that actually hires juniors there.

Their hyper aggressive marketing strategy is already telling. Their website randomly pops up when you search and book the flight already. Spanish holiday rental owners don't even advertise anywhere else afraid of booking.com price match policy, but are insolent enough to collect full photo of guests' id document and install cameras inside apartment. Booking is the only place to book holiday rental in Europe and I hate using their service.