Expedia Review [2024]: A Booking Site for All Travelers?

When backpacking or holidaying on a budget, getting discounts the best travel deals site is a top priority. You've got to keep all those extra dollars. You know, for the hostel beers, beach bar cocktails, exciting excursions, and delicious street food!

Which are the best websites to find great travel deals? Pilot contributors have reviewed many companies, including HotelTonight, Hotwire, and Priceline. But what about Expedia? 

As the travel industry recovers from Covid, Expedia is jumping from strength to strength. With Expedia's revenue up by 81%, they're in a great place financially post-pandemic. This blog explores everything Expedia.

From customer reviews to how to cancel a flight, keep reading. I'll share whether or not you should book your next trip with Expedia.

What is Expedia?

Expedia is one of the world's largest full-service travel booking companies. They claim to provide a huge range of services and deals to travelers. They cater to all your travel needs, from hotels, flights, and car hire to vacation home rentals.

As a virtual booking agency, all services are either booked online through their website or app. Its app is available on iOS and Android. Expedia is also part of the Expedia Group, which owns companies like hotels.com, Vbro, and trivago.

How Does Expedia Work?

Expedia brings you the latest deals according to your unique preferences. 

Here's how Expedia works:

• You select the travel service you're looking for, such as flights, car hire, hotel, activities, or cruises.
• You add your dates and the number of people in your travel group in the search bar. 
• Expedia will bring up a range of deals based on your custom search.

You can even personalize your search by hotel star rating, budget, hotel name, location, and more. These search features allow you to maintain complete control over the deals you see. One of my favorite filters is the fully-refundable box! It gives you that slight advantage when life throws you those curveballs. 

The LGBTQ+ community filter box is also amazing. It allows you to see properties that pledge to make LGBTQ+ guests feel safe, welcome, and respected. It's great to see Expedia and its hotels offering inclusivity for everyone!

The Benefits of Using Expedia

Expedia offers a wide range of features and services, benefitting travelers' pockets and saving them time. Here are the key benefits of using Expedia to book your vacation, business trip, or getaway:

A Full Range of Travel Services

Are you looking to book a cruise, an all-inclusive package, or just a cheap flight? Either way, Expedia sells it all online, packaged in one handy booking system!

Easy Search System

Expedia's app brings easy travel booking to your fingertips. The quick search system allows you to find exactly what you're looking for. Once you've applied the filters, you can browse the best deals personalized for you. Not a bad way to book a holiday!

Deals Galore!

Looking for a bargain? Then Expedia could offer you that fantastic deal! You can search through its latest offers if you're open about where you wish to travel. Input the date you want to travel on, and Expedia will show you all of its deals! Some deals can save up to 26% on your holidays.

Group Travel Options

Planning a girl's trip? Then you're in luck. Expedia lets you apply for a group rate on your vacation. You just have to fill out a simple check box. Specify how many people are in your group and your dates, budget, and expectations to get your quote. The girls will thank you later!

Expedia Rewards

Expedia Rewards helps you earn rewards, redeem, and repeat. You can collect points as you book eligible items and get specific membership discounted prices. You can redeem the points you collect against future holidays.

How Do I Speak to an Expedia Customer Service Agent?

Booking online is very convenient. Sometimes, you do need to speak to an agent to make a change or get some reassurance. However, it can be frustrating when trying to find numbers and emails!

The quickest way to get in touch with Expedia is through its live chat function. Its virtual agents are on-hand 24/7. You can even contact the Expedia customer service team through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Or call and speak to an Expedia customer service agent on their hotline. However, recent reviews suggest you'll be waiting a long time to get through to someone. If you're after speed, contacting customer support via the Expedia website is the best way to go.

Expedia Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your booking with Expedia, you can also do so through its website. Firstly, you can find out whether or not your booking is eligible for booking. Additionally, whether or not there are fees involved.

Be mindful that certain flight, car hire, and hotel bookings are non-refundable with Expedia. If in doubt, jump onto its live chat to speak to the team before you make any changes.

What Are People Saying About Expedia?

Want to know what real customers have to say about the travel booking company? Buckle up and get ready for some interesting takes. Overall, the online reviews of Expedia are fantastic. Over 300,000 reviewers rate the app 4.3 and up.

Kicking off with the positive, reviewers who've had a positive experience with Expedia rave about its great deals. Also, the simple booking process and the huge range of hotels on offer. Many people said they had to cancel a hotel and got refunded within a few days! However, some recent reviews of the app do say something quite different.

There are a few negative reviews about Expedia. But that's a given, considering the number of bookings made on the platform. Some of the most concerning reviews mentioned that hotels weren't booked when customers arrived. Some reviewers also said both Expedia and the hotel charged them. Resulting in customers being charged twice for the same room! 

Others said there were hidden fees when they arrived at hotels and picked up hire cars. To summarize, Expedia promises great deals and creates lasting connections with travelers. It definitely does still deliver on those great deals. However, booking with Expedia is not always smooth sailing.

Is Expedia Worth It?

If you're looking for a great deal, then yes, Expedia is worth it. There are some excellent offers to be grabbed. If you're a backpacker on a budget or a digital nomad looking for a long-term place, go for it! You may find precisely the bargain you're looking for on Expedia.

Its easy booking service and handy features also make finding a holiday a breeze. Just be aware that unexpected travel issues may occur when you book with Expedia. So make sure you understand the booking terms and research any hidden fees. Also, arrive at your destination prepared with your itinerary and any relevant contact details on hand.

Our rating: 3.9/5

Pros:

• Good deals on holidays
• Easy booking platform
• A wide range of services and accommodation

Cons:

• Slow customer service
• Some negative reviews

Don't miss your next flight!

Ready to check off your next bucket-list location? The easiest way to book a flight with Expedia is on their website! You can also search for flights using a search engine like Google Flights or Skyscanner. These are good options if you want to compare the times and prices of Expedia to other airlines.

It's Time to Book Your Next Trip!

If you're all set, put your travel plans into the social trip planner, Pilot!