Expedia, Orbitz, and Others Offer Discounted Flights, Hotels, and Car Rentals
Whether shopping for a vehicle, establishing a new line of credit, or just purchasing Christmas gifts, the Internet, the world’s biggest mall, has what you’re searching for. No one should make a significant purchase without first doing extensive research. Why should searching for low-cost airline tickets be any different?
That is not the case. However, with so many websites claiming to provide the most incredible airline bargains online, how can you tell which ones are trustworthy? How can one be sure he is obtaining the most excellent possible deal on flight travel?
Simple. Contrast and compare. The following is a list of some of the most prominent and reputable websites. None are ideal; all, like any other company, experience failed clients from time to time. Typical concerns include a failure to provide confirmations to hotels and a lack of delay in resolving problems. They all have a very steady track record, though, and are thus worth the potential savings. Additionally, the so-called “big three” (Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia) have announced an indefinite suspension of their flight booking fees. On the other hand, other fees may apply, will be disclosed beforehand, and will be used in the final value calculation.
Travelocity
Travelocity, made famous by a “Roaming Gnome,” provides discounted flights, hotels, and auto rentals, as well as any combination of the three. Additionally, cruises and activities may be booked. Booking is straightforward. Travelers input their preferred trip dates and destinations. Travelocity then presents various flight choices and rates (e.g., varying departure times, nonstop vs. connecting flights).
Travelocity Advantages:
Section for Business Travelers: Travelocity provides business travel management services, including automated, tailored reservations and round-the-clock customer assistance.
Simple Booking/No Airline Booking Fee – Flights, hotels, and auto rentals may all be booked fast and easily with a bit of typing and a few mouse clicks.
Travelocity Guarantee: Travelocity promises on its website that “if you discover a better cost for a vacation booked through Travelocity, that qualifies.
Not only will we reimburse the difference between what you paid and this lower price, but we’ll also offer you $50 off a future travel purchase.” Among other assurances, Travelocity states: “Everything about your booking will be correct, or we will immediately work with our employees to make it true.”
Orbitz
Orbitz is Travelocity’s equal competition. Orbitz, like Travelocity, provides corporate air travel management and simple online booking for hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises, and activities. Additionally, Orbitz allows users to purchase tickets to concerts, sports events, comedy performances, and other events.
Orbitz Advantages:
Price Assurance: If a consumer registers a ticket or prepaid hotel on Orbitz and another customer buys the same hotel or airfare for cheaper, Orbitz will instantly reimburse the original client.
No Booking Costs, Hotel Cancellation Fees, or Other Hidden Fees – Flight booking fees have been eliminated. Orbitz will also waive hotel cancellation costs; however, the hotel may levy a fee. The first search results contain all prices.
Low Price/Low Fare Guarantee – If a traveler booked a hotel or airfare and then discovers that the exact itinerary is available for cheaper on another site (within 24 hours), the difference is returned. Travelers who purchase flights may be eligible to get a $50 coupon for future travel bookings.
Expedia
Expedia is a comparable rival. It is perhaps the most user-friendly site, yet assessments of all three indicate that user choices mainly determine accessibility. It is equivalent to Travelocity in terms of services supplied.
Expedia Advantages:
Expedia’s Best Price Guarantee is an excellent value. Consumers who discover a lower price on virtually all flights, hotels, holiday packages, cruises, excursions, and rental cars will not only get a refund but will also get a $50 travel voucher, similar to Travelocity’s promise. What’s the catch? Again, the better bargain must be discovered within 24 hours of booking via Expedia.
Online Booking Made Simple – When it takes to read this article, consumers may book their flights, hotels, and rental vehicles.
Rewards Program —
Expedia’s rewards program dubbed the ThankYou Network rewards customers who book travel via the company. Enrollment is completely free. Reward points may be redeemed for travel or various other products and services (e.g., gift certificates, merchandise, or even cash). These points accumulate in addition to those earned via hotel or airline loyalty programs.
Priceline and Hotwire
While the significant three are excellent resources for researching affordable economy and business class flight tickets, bargain hotels, and easily accessible car rentals, they do not always provide the ideal rates. Take a look at Hotwire and Priceline.
Hotwire is comparable to the websites of the primary three. It provides similar travel alternatives, a simple-to-use booking system, and customer service. However, Hotwire’s costs are often cheaper than those of the others, maybe because it does not provide as many bonuses as the others. Hotwire, on the other hand, has stricter cancellation rules.
Nonetheless, Expedia may provide the finest airline deals to Las Vegas, while Travelocity may provide the cheapest airfare to Vancouver. Similarly, she may discover a considerably inexpensive hotel in Paris on Orbitz, while Cancun’s most affordable hotel prices may be found on Hotwire. The point is that travel prices change often, and rates on all websites should be appropriately examined and compared before purchasing. When the lowest rate is determined, it’s time to visit Priceline.
Priceline provides something that the competition does not (besides its spokesperson, William Shatner). Priceline allows users to choose their prices. A decent method takes the lowest rate acquired from one of the significant three booking sites or Hotwire and undercut Priceline. For instance, if Expedia provides round-trip United Airlines airfare to Orlando for $300, why not bid $250 on Priceline? $200? The worst-case scenario is that Priceline declines the offer, and the traveler purchases via Expedia.