Why I won’t use Expedia.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
We've had some ugly drama with Expedia, where reservations at the hotel didn't exist when we arrived. This has happened more than once.
Honestly, I haven't found the likes of any of the services to save any appreciable money over making the reservation directly with the hotel. So I just book directly with the hotel these days.
Honestly, I haven't found the likes of any of the services to save any appreciable money over making the reservation directly with the hotel. So I just book directly with the hotel these days.
I have always called the Hotel directly to make reservations. That way nothing "gets lost in the process".
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,001
Likes: 11,441
Last week a group that meets and rides every year. Some of us make reservation 6 months a head of time. The area does get busy in September.
Two of the group had conformations but the motel had less days they they had reserved.
I am going back to direct booking.
Two of the group had conformations but the motel had less days they they had reserved.
I am going back to direct booking.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 851
From: Puyallup, wa
Flights and rooms I book direct. Try having a flight Cancelled and trying to get expedia to get you rebooked while you wait at the airport. Book Direct and the Airline handles it for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,430
From: Idaho Panhandle
I stopped using Expedia after my summer trip to Alaska. Basically, it worked okay. Here are my issues.
They used to allow, pay at checkin or pay at the hotel. Now they do not.
Since they do not allow pay at the hotel, I get no receipt except electronically. On month or more trips, I keep gas + motel receipts. That alone stopped me from using it again.
There are other reasons, but they might be petty. Seeing this thread surprised me, because this morning I was going to google “what’s the best travel app.”
So far, your posts have removed Hotels.com and Travelocity.
When my hotel in anchorage burned, I tried for hours to reach someone at Expedia and the hotel chain. I’ve used over 10 hours on hold and haven’t spoken to a person yet. If there is a trick to get help, tell me.
They used to allow, pay at checkin or pay at the hotel. Now they do not.
Since they do not allow pay at the hotel, I get no receipt except electronically. On month or more trips, I keep gas + motel receipts. That alone stopped me from using it again.
There are other reasons, but they might be petty. Seeing this thread surprised me, because this morning I was going to google “what’s the best travel app.”
So far, your posts have removed Hotels.com and Travelocity.
When my hotel in anchorage burned, I tried for hours to reach someone at Expedia and the hotel chain. I’ve used over 10 hours on hold and haven’t spoken to a person yet. If there is a trick to get help, tell me.
it's also not unusual to get to the hotel and get a cheaper rate via Government, Senior, etc.
afaik all of the major travel sites of any kind, hotel, air, car all have their own apps. Sabre used to be the centralized airline reservation system then along came the brokerage websites. Even Priceline got out of the auction business.
Then people tend to forget about Southwest who does not participate in the Sabre model, only their own system. But Southwest for me, ranks right there above Jet Blue, or as in the Ron White skit about the tire falling off, lawyers, and whale ****, that's where Southwest ranks
afaik all of the major travel sites of any kind, hotel, air, car all have their own apps. Sabre used to be the centralized airline reservation system then along came the brokerage websites. Even Priceline got out of the auction business.
Then people tend to forget about Southwest who does not participate in the Sabre model, only their own system. But Southwest for me, ranks right there above Jet Blue, or as in the Ron White skit about the tire falling off, lawyers, and whale ****, that's where Southwest ranks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i've tried to use expedia, price line, et al in the past and found that i was 100% able to get a cheaper rate by calling the hotel direct. plus, the hotel directly has a much better cancellation policy than the travel apps i tried. i could cancel up to 4pm on day of reservation for 0% fee with the hotel, while the app service would charge me for the night. plus, they wanted me to prepay.
between aarp and military, i have found aarp to be a better discount most of the time. and you don't have to be a senior to have aarp membership, just 50 or over. so if the hotel website advertises an 'aarp' rate, as opposed to 'senior' rate, even if you aren't a sr, you can get that rate. they just look for the card at check in, and i've never had anyone confirm my birthdate on my id.
between aarp and military, i have found aarp to be a better discount most of the time. and you don't have to be a senior to have aarp membership, just 50 or over. so if the hotel website advertises an 'aarp' rate, as opposed to 'senior' rate, even if you aren't a sr, you can get that rate. they just look for the card at check in, and i've never had anyone confirm my birthdate on my id.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 659
Likes: 360
From: Sierra foothills
I used to use them. No longer. Much more convenient to just book directly. Much easier to change plans and you'll often get a better room
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 966
Likes: 665
From: Rhode Island
All the third party apps are like that. I made a 3 day reservation with travelocity for a stay at a swank hotel in Santa Monica. I had to leave a day early and they wouldn't refund me for that day. Travelocity blamed the hotel, the hotel blamed travelocity. Lesson learned. It;s just not worth saving the $10 or $20