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Phoenix61

(16,926 posts)
Wed Jul 5, 2017, 11:28 AM Jul 2017

Expedia, who knew?

A very unhappy woman learned Expedia does not refund bookings that are cancelled by the hotel due to overbooking. I've used Expedia but always book hotels that provide a refund if cancelled within 24 hours of check-in. I don't know what would happen if the hotel cancelled my reservation but I'm definitely going to check before I book through Expedia.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/isnt-woman-speaks-her-hotel-reservation-cancelled-no-121505120--abc-news-travel.html

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Expedia, who knew? (Original Post) Phoenix61 Jul 2017 OP
You gotta read the fine print matt819 Jul 2017 #1
Hotel still charged her anyway? MichMan Jul 2017 #2
It's in the article Phoenix61 Jul 2017 #5
I look up hotels on these travel sites kimbutgar Jul 2017 #3
+1 Blue_Tires Jul 2017 #4

matt819

(10,749 posts)
1. You gotta read the fine print
Wed Jul 5, 2017, 11:45 AM
Jul 2017

And sometimes the not so fine print. Cancellation/refund policies are generally front and center when booking. If the customer missed this, then she's SOL. If the info wasn't provided, that's another issue.

That said, while it may take more time, it's useful to check pricing from a variety of sources, including the hotel chain itself, though this applies as well to airlines and car rentals. If you book through a expedia or any of the other travel & booking sites, you're at the bottom of the list when it comes to customer service. We had this experience just once, and since then we book directly from the airline or the hotel. With one exception. Hotwire for hotels and car rentals. But we're comfortable doing that because the cancellation/refund policy is boldly stated - there is no refund - and with regular travel you generally know what hotel/car rental company they're going to use in a given area. And when you get a not so good hotel, you can at least comfort yourself at saving money. But we don't use them for flights. There, we go direct to the airlines.

Phoenix61

(16,926 posts)
5. It's in the article
Wed Jul 5, 2017, 01:06 PM
Jul 2017

But not exactly. Expedia charged her. They eventually relented and gave her a credit to use on Expedia in the future. The way most of those services work is they buy a block of rooms at a discount and then book them. When the hotel has to bump somebody, they are the first to go.

kimbutgar

(20,764 posts)
3. I look up hotels on these travel sites
Wed Jul 5, 2017, 12:32 PM
Jul 2017

And then go directly to the hotel site and book. The rates are about the same and you get a email giving the cancellation policy. Most are 72 hours.

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