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Gearing up for vacation/concert season. Does anyone use Expedia for booking hotels? I notice their prices are quite a bit lower than the hotels' published prices, in most cases. Any other advantages to using Expedia? Any problems/disadvantages?

Their best rates are non-refundable. They charge your credit card at the time of booking, and if you don't go, you're out that money...

I've always had the best luck directly through the hotel's website... find a hotel in the area you want through expedia or travelocity, then go directly to the hotel's website to book the actual room(s)...

SharkOnLand wrote:Their best rates are non-refundable. They charge your credit card at the time of booking, and if you don't go, you're out that money...
I've always had the best luck directly through the hotel's website... find a hotel in the area you want through expedia or travelocity, then go directly to the hotel's website to book the actual room(s)...

I wanted to highlight that point!!
I've used expedia several times.....and I've been happy with the savings. I did find, last summer, that they are completely inflexible if you have any kind of a change, esp if you've booked a "package".

I actually just booked three trips on travelocity, after going through all the major ones to see what was cheapest. Travelocity's always given me the option of tacking on an extra 39.00 for traveler's insurance, regardless of the deal. Not sure if that's an option on expedia?

The stuff I've done on Expedia I've been happy with. Haven't ever had any reason to change anything or try and use customer service, so I have no idea how that would go for anyone.

I tend to find a lower rate for hotels by going to their actual Web site.

However, when hubby and I went to Vegas 2 Octobers ago, we booked on Expedia and it kinda saved our ass. They were VERY overbooked, so everyone checking in that booked through the Flamingo got bumped to another hotel and everyone who booked through an "agent" such as Expedia, etc. had to have their reservations honored.

Cheack all the "Major" websites before you buy. Some of the sites have better deals with hotel chains than the others. Just do a little shopping before clicking the submit order button.

sy wrote:I actually just booked three trips on travelocity, after going through all the major ones to see what was cheapest. Travelocity's always given me the option of tacking on an extra 39.00 for traveler's insurance, regardless of the deal. Not sure if that's an option on expedia?

If you're just booking hotel rooms, you shouldn't need travel insurance. Most hotels have a 24-48 hour (before arrival) cancellation policy, with nothing charged to your card. The cheapest rates on Expedia (and possibly some other travel sites) require that you pay upfront, with absolutely no refund for cancellation.

Not a fan of Expedia at all... granted that has to do with their air travel.

The brilliant gnome left me stranded in New Zealand begging for a ride home because they "forgot" to calculate the time difference between Australian and New Zealand.

Needless to say, I have not gone back to their site since.

land_shark3 wrote:Not a fan of Expedia at all... granted that has to do with their air travel.

The brilliant gnome left me stranded in New Zealand begging for a ride home because they "forgot" to calculate the time difference between Australian and New Zealand.

Needless to say, I have not gone back to their site since.

The gnome is travelocity. Is that who you had a problem with?

sy wrote:

land_shark3 wrote:Not a fan of Expedia at all... granted that has to do with their air travel.

The brilliant gnome left me stranded in New Zealand begging for a ride home because they "forgot" to calculate the time difference between Australian and New Zealand.

Needless to say, I have not gone back to their site since.

The gnome is travelocity. Is that who you had a problem with?

Oops, no it was expedia. I just wanted to blame it on a piece of yard art.

If you are going for something guaranteed and want a great deal and know you won't need to cancel, look into priceline.com - but otherwise I find it easier to book through the hotel.

we love expedia... use it all the time... you can buy insurance if you need to change ... worth it if it's an expensive trip..

Demerara wrote:Gearing up for vacation/concert season. Does anyone use Expedia for booking hotels? I notice their prices are quite a bit lower than the hotels' published prices, in most cases. Any other advantages to using Expedia? Any problems/disadvantages?

When the Dayoff Goddess lets me out..
I also try Hotels.com

it is normaly a little cheaper and it sometimes has rooms listed
that the "big three" do not have..

BUT it also will offer you a room and send you an Email
that your room is not available.. so Buyer Beware..

Thanks for all the advice, pholks!

The hotel I'm looking at is about $20 cheaper on Expedia and Travelocity than through the hotel directly ($70 vs. $90 - about 25% cheaper). So it seems like it's worth it - the extra $20 will buy a few margaritas!

I'm still a little confused, though. Someone said that if you have to cancel, you lose all your money - but someone else seemed to suggest that in the case of hotels, most of them allow you to cancel up to 24 or 48 hours before the booking at no penalty. Does this mean you'd still get your money back if you booked through Expedia or Travelocity?

Unless Jimmy cancels the show, though, my plans won't be changing.

Sorry if it was unclear:

Typical hotel reservations usually will allow you to cancel as late as 24 hours before arrival before you get charged a penalty. Normally your card isn't charged until you actually check out of the hotel.

Expedia deals (aka "Expedia Special Rate") are not typical. Your card will be charged at the time of reservations, and usually you cannot cancel. If they do allow you to cancel, you will be assessed a penalty. Most rooms booked through Expedia are this way.

Just make sure you understand the cancellation policy (it is usually presented to you when you click "Book It" at Expedia) and are ok with the terms and conditions. If you know you are not going to cancel, you can usually find decent deals through Expedia.