It didn’t take long for travel accommodations companies to realize the potential of the Internet for booking their services, and they quickly created their own websites for that purpose. Though this made booking travel accommodations easier, there was still a problem: prospective travelers still had to sift through millions of listings for hotels, cruises, flights, and rental cars across hundreds of different websites to find the best deals or even put together a complete vacation package.
Some businesses saw this as an opportunity, realizing they could make money by advertising and facilitating the booking of travel accommodations from multiple companies all in one place. Today, there are numerous websites dedicated to this purpose, each with their own distinct approach to booking travel accommodations. Some offer last-minute deals, while others rent out people’s homes… How do you know which is best for you? There are numerous websites for booking (and getting great deals on) travel accommodations, but Expedia.com is one of the most popular and well-established.
What exactly is Expedia?
Expedia is a popular website for booking hotel rooms. It strives to provide the lowest prices for any booking, which is supported by the “Best Price Guarantee.” You can sort through accommodations that meet your needs by searching for hotels, cars, flights, or packages based on your travel requirements.
How does Expedia operate?
When you go to the Expedia website, you first enter information about the type of travel accommodations you want. Indicate whether you want to book a flight, hotel, car rental, or vacation package, and then enter details like where you’re going and when you want to go, how many people will be travelling. You can then filter available accommodations based on various criteria until you find the ideal accommodations for you! Then, click on any venue for more information, and when you find the accommodation(s) you want, simply click Select to begin the booking process.
5 Reasons to Book Travel with Expedia
Expedia helps you save money
They will compete for your business because they are connected to so many companies that provide similar services. That means you can sometimes get great deals, especially if these services are underutilized!
Expedia is convenient and time-saving
Expedia works with many of the world’s most well-known airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, and cruise lines. That means you won’t have to run around to all of these different locations to put the puzzle pieces of your trip together. You can book all of your accommodations through Expedia from the comfort of your own home!
If you find a lower price somewhere else, their “Best Price Guarantee” will match it!
Expedia’s “Best Price Guarantee” ensures that you get the best deal on your reservation. Let them know if you find a better booking of the exact same item on another website within 24 hours of making arrangements. You will receive a full refund and possibly a free travel voucher!
You are free to cancel your reservations
In many cases, an Expedia booking can be cancelled prior to your trip. If you cancel, you are usually entitled to a partial or full refund. This means you can book a great lodging deal when you see it without fear of losing money if you have to cancel. Check out our article on Expedia’s cancellation policy to learn more about how it works and what you may be entitled to.
Expedia provides travel insurance for incidents that occur before, during, or after the trip
Expedia provides optional insurance when booking your accommodations, allowing you to receive a refund on the cost of your trip if circumstances beyond your control disrupt your trip. They provide insurance for things like cancelled flights, lost baggage, illness, family emergencies, and bad weather, among other things.
What can I reserve through Expedia?
Flights
You can fly one-way, round-trip, or to multiple locations. Choose the airports you want to fly to or from, the airlines you want to fly with, and the seat class you want. In an upcoming tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of booking flights on Expedia.
Hotels
Find hotels near the location of your next trip. You can find them by how popular they are, how highly they are rated, or what amenities they provide. Alternatively, if you have a favorite hotel, you can search for it by name.
Rental automobiles
Do you require transportation to your next destination? Choose your rental company, the type of car you want, where you’ll pick up and drop off your car, and how long you’ll need it.
Cruises
Create your ideal nautical adventure. Choose your cruise line, where you want to depart and arrive, how long you want to spend at sea, the type of cabin you want, and more.
Vacation bundles
Don’t want to book your hotel and airfare separately? Select whether you require a flight, hotel, and/or car rental, and Expedia will find packages that provide you with everything you require all at once. Booking a vacation package can be a difficult process, so be sure to read our tutorial on booking Expedia vacation packages for some helpful hints!
Is Expedia a trustworthy booking site?
Expedia is a secure, encrypted server that protects your personal and financial information when you book travel accommodations. Expedia is also a well-known website that has booked millions of accommodations since its inception, so you can be confident that it is legitimate and trustworthy. It is also dependable due to its travel insurance and cancellation policy.
Expedia’s history and why it is so popular for booking travel
Expedia, founded in 2001 as a Microsoft subsidiary by Richard Barton and Lloyd Frink, has grown to become one of the most popular online travel accommodation booking agencies. Expedia has acquired more than a dozen popular travel websites since its inception, making it one of the world’s largest travel-related business networks. Every year, it earns billions of dollars from hotel bookings.
Expedia is a popular travel booking site because it offers everything in one place: flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. There is something for everyone, and you simply choose what you require. Expedia also offers a “Best Price Guarantee,” which allows you to get a refund on your accommodations booking if you find a lower price for the same accommodations elsewhere within 24 hours of booking.
Expedia’s advantages and disadvantages
Expedia is one of the most well-known and widely used travel accommodations booking websites for a reason: it can save you a significant amount of money. The “Best Price Guarantee” offered by Expedia, as well as its flexible cancellation policy and travel insurance options, are all significant benefits. If you create an account, you can also participate in the company’s rewards program, which allows you to get even better deals!
Competitors of Expedia
Expedia may be one of the most popular travel accommodations booking websites, but it is not without direct competitors, each with their own set of unique features to offer you. Priceline, one of Expedia’s main competitors, allows you to “Name Your Own Price” for some of the accommodations you book.
