Expedia

Pros

• Significant cost savings available when booking bundled packages (flight, hotel, and transfers).
• Effective tool for comparing prices across a wide range of airlines and hotels.
• Convenient for business travelers who must follow company booking policies.
• Generally reliable for standard, issue-free domestic and international trips.

Cons

• Customer service is frequently described as a 'nightmare' or 'hassle' during cancellations or flight changes.
• Service providers (hotels/airlines) often cannot modify reservations directly because Expedia 'owns' the booking.
• Price-match guarantees are reported to be difficult to claim, with rejections based on minor listing discrepancies.
• Potential for double-charging or long-lasting temporary holds on credit cards if a booking fails.
• Limited control over specific details like seat assignments on certain fares.

Caveats

• Using an OTA means you may be caught between the airline/hotel and Expedia if something goes wrong, with both parties potentially denying responsibility.
• Price match claims have been reportedly denied for trivial reasons, such as a competitor's site not listing specific room amenities like smoke detectors.

Best for

• Bundled vacation packages where the total discount outweighs the risk of third-party booking.
• Simple, low-risk trips where price is the primary concern.
• Initial travel research and price comparison.

Avoid if

• You are booking complex international itineraries with tight connections.
• You want direct control over your reservation to make easy changes with the airline or hotel.
• You require high-quality, responsive customer support for potential travel disruptions.