Why I won’t use Expedia.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Why I won’t use Expedia.
When I was planning my trip, my wife made most of my reservations with Expedia. I made one with the Wyndham app. The day my bike broke down, I called the Wyndham app reservation, told them my situation, and they let me cancel.
Today when the dealer called and said my parts were in, and they could fix it, I had to cancel my motel. Expedia told me they had to charge me, because the motel would charge them. But I called the motel and they said they wouldn’t charge me. So Expedia let me cancel. So I was able to cancel both Wyndham reservations, but the one took me 30 seconds, the Expedia one took me 30 minutes. And talking to an overseas customer service person who was hard to understand.
Tonight I made the reservation with the IHG app (Holiday Inn), it was easy. I’m not sure how lenient their cancellation policy is.
Today when the dealer called and said my parts were in, and they could fix it, I had to cancel my motel. Expedia told me they had to charge me, because the motel would charge them. But I called the motel and they said they wouldn’t charge me. So Expedia let me cancel. So I was able to cancel both Wyndham reservations, but the one took me 30 seconds, the Expedia one took me 30 minutes. And talking to an overseas customer service person who was hard to understand.
Tonight I made the reservation with the IHG app (Holiday Inn), it was easy. I’m not sure how lenient their cancellation policy is.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 2,883
From: Southeast
They're all getting that way.
I had reservations made through Hotels(dot)com years ago. I get to the hotel in Indy where my reservation should be, and the lady there tells me I don't have one! Was made through my company and everyone else who ordered a room had one, but me. I spoke to the person within our company to make sure I should have a room. She gave me a confirmation number and all. I call H(dot)com and after 30 minutes or so, I get a human. They stated that THEY moved my reservation to another hotel 30 miles away! I didn't have a car, that's why we scheduled the hotel downtown. Then, they hung up on me.I called back and was on hold for a long time. In fact, I was on hold the entire time we walked down to the restaurant to get dinner, during our meal, and on the return trip back to the room, I got a person - who then hung up on me. And no, I wasn't being a jerk.
I had reservations made through Hotels(dot)com years ago. I get to the hotel in Indy where my reservation should be, and the lady there tells me I don't have one! Was made through my company and everyone else who ordered a room had one, but me. I spoke to the person within our company to make sure I should have a room. She gave me a confirmation number and all. I call H(dot)com and after 30 minutes or so, I get a human. They stated that THEY moved my reservation to another hotel 30 miles away! I didn't have a car, that's why we scheduled the hotel downtown. Then, they hung up on me.I called back and was on hold for a long time. In fact, I was on hold the entire time we walked down to the restaurant to get dinner, during our meal, and on the return trip back to the room, I got a person - who then hung up on me. And no, I wasn't being a jerk.
Last edited by Tcrafty; Sep 14, 2022 at 08:35 PM.
book direct through the chain where you're staying
I paid extra this summer to go to Italy via British Airways. It cost more but we got burned during COVID on a flight from Austria to the U.S. by booking through Expedia. They are a brokerage site, same as Hotels, etc. I won't use any of them now.
I paid extra this summer to go to Italy via British Airways. It cost more but we got burned during COVID on a flight from Austria to the U.S. by booking through Expedia. They are a brokerage site, same as Hotels, etc. I won't use any of them now.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
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.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
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.
When my wife was booking through Expedia, it was about 3% cheaper. Not worth the aggravation. And I prefer to give the money directly to the provider.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Directly with whomever you choose, personally I have been a Hilton's member for some 6 years, get a good rate, great service, always a room as I am a diamond member. It's worth it to use the hotel of choice app...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,625
Likes: 4,079
From: Virginia
Third party travel sites are notorious for change or cancel problems. The hotel chains partner with them but don’t like them because they have to kickback revenue to them. In my experience, it’s better to deal directly with a particular hotel chain and be a member of their frequent traveler program. You end up getting extra perks and savings as your points add up.
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I've booked dozens of trips using Travelocity, an affiliate of Expedia, and have had zero issues both internationally and stateside.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 213
Likes: 40
From: Caledon East, Canada
Other than "package" vacations, we always phone the hotels we are staying at directly. For us, we found we have always gotten a better room rate. When we have had to cancel, absolutely no problem. Not a believer in using third party sites.