Expedia - Page 2

PeppyGPhiB · #1 03-21-2011, 03:17 AM

Expedia is a ticket broker, just like Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com. It was started by Microsoft, but now it's its own company, actually the largest online travel agency in the world. What it's really good for is getting the occasional great vacation deal, and researching deals that airlines may be running.

Priceline and Hotwire are negotiating sites. Good for last minute deals and for when you aren't really picky about the time of day you fly or the exact hotel to sleep in.

Best site for researching flight prices and options across the board is Kayak.com.

Tripadvisor is THE best Web site for honest reviews and photos of the hotels, hotel rooms, views, location, etc. Also the things to see/do in the travel destination.

I flew more than 50,000 miles last year, and every ticket I purchased was either through my corporate travel agency or the airlines' websites. Airline websites almost always have the best deal. Check out the deals on Expedia, Orbitz, etc., but purchase your tickets on the airline's website for a deal that is generally $10 or so cheaper than the booking sites.

NinjaPoodle · #2 03-21-2011, 04:01 AM

I've used Expedia with no problem. I like that you can use your frequent flier accounts with them. I also use Hotwire, but only for hotels. I don't mind not knowing the name of the hotel but I want to choose the star rating, which you can do. I also use Orbitz and FareCompare.

Splash · #3 03-21-2011, 12:40 PM

Flights are fine obviously. You might have to specify no connections though.

I don't know whether it's expedia, priceline, orbitz, etc. which of those is the one that DOESN'T tell you the name of the hotel but that is what I'd be wary of. I would never book a hotel without knowing which one it is.

Also for these websites with good deals/packages, I'd use it only if you're absolutely sure you don't want a refund.

honeychile · #4 03-21-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

tripadvisor.com is also really great for evaluating where you'll be staying - people often post up photos too.

Love, love, love tripadvisor.com! That's where hotels.com connects to for comparisons.

If anyone is going for over a weekend or more than 4 days, try extendedstayhotels.com. They're not connected to any of the aforementioned sites, but the prices goes down by how many days you plan to stay. The last time I stayed there was for 7 days, and with the discounts, it was as if two days were free. The husband of a friend of mine spends 1-2 weeks in Chicago at a time, and they turned me on to them. They're suites, too.

carnation · #5 03-21-2011, 11:08 AM

Well, we made the reservations and I'll let you know if the hotel was a dive. Though nothing can compare to a place where we stayed in Beaumont, TX many years ago--it didn't look like a dive from the outside but...

Has anyone ever used that Expedia feature where you choose a hotel sight unseen for a huge discount?

honeychile · #6 03-21-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

Well, we made the reservations and I'll let you know if the hotel was a dive. Though nothing can compare to a place where we stayed in Beaumont, TX many years ago--it didn't look like a dive from the outside but...

Has anyone ever used that Expedia feature where you choose a hotel sight unseen for a huge discount?

NO! I had a friend who was really ticked when she decided to try that "just once". On the other hand, a couple I know do that a lot. I'd just be too nervous to try it.