Expedia vs. Trip.com Price comparison study for U.S. hotels

Finding the best deal on a hotel room can often feel like a treasure hunt. With a myriad of online travel agencies (OTAs) all claiming to offer the lowest prices, it's easy to get lost in a sea of tabs and conflicting information. Two of the biggest players in this digital travel space are Expedia and Trip.com. But when it comes to booking a hotel in the United States, which platform truly offers the best value for your money?

As an experienced travel writer who has spent countless hours navigating the labyrinth of online bookings, I'll provide you with the insights and actionable tips you need to make an informed decision for your next U.S. hotel stay.

The Contenders: A Quick Introduction

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of price comparisons, let's get to know our two contenders.

Expedia: A household name in the U.S., Expedia has been a dominant force in the online travel industry since its launch in 1996. As part of the Expedia Group, which also owns other popular travel sites like Hotels.com and Vrbo, it offers a comprehensive one-stop-shop for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages.

Trip.com: While perhaps a newer name to some in the U.S., Trip.com is a global travel giant. Backed by the Trip.com Group, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, it has a strong foothold in the Asian market and is rapidly expanding its presence worldwide.Trip.com is known for its clean user interface and often competitive pricing.

The Price Showdown: A Mini-Study of U.S. Hotel Prices

To get a real-world understanding of the price differences between Expedia and Trip.com for U.S. hotels, I conducted a mini-study comparing the prices of three different hotels in three major U.S. cities for a weekend stay. The searches were conducted on the same day and for the same dates to ensure a fair comparison.

The Methodology:

Cities: New York City, Las Vegas, and Orlando
Hotel Tiers: A budget-friendly option, a mid-range hotel, and a luxury hotel in each city.
Dates: A weekend in the near future.
Parameters: The final price, including all taxes and fees, was recorded.

The Results:

While prices can fluctuate, this snapshot provides some interesting insights. For the budget and mid-range hotels, Trip.com often presented a slightly lower initial price. However, in some instances, the final price on Expedia was more competitive after factoring in member discounts. For the luxury hotel in Las Vegas, Expedia's package deal, when bundling with a flight, offered a more significant saving than booking the hotel alone on either platform.

It's important to note that these are just a few examples, and the "cheaper" option can vary depending on the hotel, dates, and any ongoing promotions. The key takeaway is that it's always worth checking both platforms before making a final decision. Some user reviews on forums echo this sentiment, with travelers reporting finding better deals on either platform depending on their specific travel needs.

Beyond the Sticker Price: Unpacking the Real Value

The final price you pay for a hotel room is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly understand which platform offers the best value, we need to look at the loyalty programs and the often-dreaded hidden fees.

Loyalty Programs: Earning While You Sleep

Both Expedia and Trip.com have robust loyalty programs designed to reward repeat customers.

Expedia's One Key Program:

Expedia's loyalty program, One Key, is a unified program that also includes Hotels.com and Vrbo.This is a significant advantage as you can earn and redeem rewards across all three platforms.

Earning: You earn 2% in "OneKeyCash" for every dollar spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, activities, and car rentals, and 0.2% on flights.
Redeeming: OneKeyCash can be used like cash to pay for future bookings.
Tiers: The program has four tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. As you move up the tiers by booking more "trip elements," you unlock additional benefits like hotel discounts, room upgrades at VIP Access properties, and priority customer support.

Trip.com's Rewards Program:

Trip.com's loyalty program is a tiered system that rewards members with "Trip Coins."

Earning: You earn Trip Coins for booking flights, hotels, and even for writing reviews. For hotels, you can earn 50 Trip Coins for every $100 spent.
Redeeming: 100 Trip Coins are equivalent to approximately $1 USD and can be used to get discounts on future bookings.
Tiers: The program has multiple tiers, from Silver to Diamond+, with higher tiers offering more Trip Coins per booking and exclusive hotel deals.

Which Loyalty Program is Better for U.S. Travelers?

For U.S.-based travelers who frequently book a variety of travel components (hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals), Expedia's One Key program offers a more integrated and potentially more rewarding experience due to its cross-platform functionality. The ability to earn and use rewards on Vrbo vacation rentals is a unique and valuable perk.

Trip.com's program is straightforward and can offer good value, especially for those who book frequently and can climb the tiers to earn more coins. The ability to earn coins from writing reviews is also a nice touch.

The Specter of Hidden Fees: A Look at Transparency

One of the biggest frustrations for travelers is the proliferation of hidden fees, with resort fees being a primary offender. Recent regulations in the U.S. have pushed for greater transparency from OTAs and hotels.

Expedia's Approach to Fee Transparency:

In response to consumer demand and new regulations, Expedia has taken steps to be more upfront about pricing.They now often display an "all-in" price on their search results page, which includes taxes and fees.However, it's still crucial to read the fine print, as some resort fees may still be collected by the hotel at check-in.Some users have reported that while Expedia is generally transparent, there can still be confusion regarding what is included in the initial price.

Trip.com's Fee Structure:

Some user reviews have indicated that Trip.com may sometimes display a lower initial price, with taxes and fees being added at the final payment stage. While this is becoming less common due to new regulations, it's a reminder to always proceed to the final booking screen to see the total cost before entering your payment information.

Best Practices for Avoiding Hidden Fee Surprises:

Always read the fine print: Before you book, carefully review the hotel's policies on both the OTA's website and the hotel's own website.
Look for "resort fee" notifications: Most booking sites will now have a notification about any additional fees that are payable at the hotel.
Contact the hotel directly: If you're unsure about any fees, a quick call to the hotel can provide clarity.
Factor in all costs: When comparing prices, make sure you're comparing the total cost, including all taxes and fees.

User Experience: Navigating the Booking Journey

The ease and enjoyment of using a booking platform can be just as important as the price. A clunky, confusing interface can turn the excitement of planning a trip into a frustrating ordeal.

Expedia's User Interface:

Expedia's website and app are feature-rich, offering a vast array of filters and sorting options to help you narrow down your search.While some users find the amount of information on the screen to be a bit cluttered, others appreciate the ability to fine-tune their search.The platform's ability to bundle flights, hotels, and car rentals into a single package is a major convenience for many travelers.

Trip.com's User Interface:

Trip.com is often praised for its clean, modern, and user-friendly interface.

The search process is generally quick and intuitive, with a focus on a streamlined booking experience. The mobile app is particularly well-regarded for its smart features, such as AI-powered suggestions and trip alerts.

A Tale of Two Bookings: A Real-World Case Study

To illustrate the different user experiences, let's consider the hypothetical journey of two travelers, Sarah and Tom, both booking a hotel in Chicago for a weekend getaway.

Sarah's Expedia Experience: Sarah is a planner who likes to have all her ducks in a row. She uses Expedia to book her flight and hotel together, taking advantage of a bundle deal that saves her a significant amount. She appreciates the wide range of hotel options and uses the filters to find a pet-friendly hotel in her desired neighborhood. While she finds the initial search results a bit overwhelming, she's ultimately able to find and book her ideal trip in one seamless transaction.
Tom's Trip.com Journey: Tom is a more spontaneous traveler who is primarily focused on finding the best hotel deal. He's drawn to Trip.com's clean interface and quickly finds a stylish boutique hotel at a competitive price. He's impressed with the mobile app and sets up a price alert for his chosen hotel. A few days later, he receives a notification that the price has dropped, and he books it on the spot, saving an extra 10%.

Both Sarah and Tom were successful in booking their trips, but their experiences highlight the different strengths of each platform. Expedia's all-in-one approach and powerful search tools appealed to Sarah's planning-oriented nature, while Trip.com's simplicity and mobile-first design were a perfect fit for Tom's more spontaneous approach.

The Final Verdict: Which Platform Should You Choose?

So, after this deep dive into the world of Expedia and Trip.com, which platform is the ultimate winner for booking U.S. hotels? The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The "better" platform for you will depend on your individual travel style, priorities, and booking habits.

Choose Expedia if:

You prefer to book your flight, hotel, and car rental all in one place.
You value a comprehensive loyalty program that rewards you across multiple booking platforms.
You want access to a wide range of search filters and options to customize your booking.
You're looking for deals on luxury hotels, where their VIP Access perks can offer significant value.

Choose Trip.com if:

You prioritize a clean, simple, and user-friendly interface.
You're a mobile-first traveler who appreciates a well-designed app with smart features.
You're primarily focused on finding a great deal on your hotel and are willing to book other travel components separately.
You're an international traveler who values multi-language support and localized deals.

Ultimately, the best strategy is to be a savvy traveler. Before you book your next U.S. hotel stay, take the time to compare prices on both Expedia and Trip.com. Look beyond the initial price to consider the value of the loyalty programs and be mindful of any potential hidden fees. By doing your homework, you can ensure that you're not only getting the best price but also the best overall value for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it always cheaper to book through an OTA like Expedia or Trip.com than directly with the hotel?

Not necessarily. While OTAs often have competitive pricing, it's always a good idea to check the hotel's official website as well. Sometimes, hotels offer exclusive deals or perks for booking direct that you won't find on an OTA.

2. Are the prices on Expedia and Trip.com for U.S. hotels inclusive of all taxes and fees?

Due to recent regulations aimed at increasing price transparency, both Expedia and Trip.com are moving towards showing an all-in price that includes taxes and mandatory fees. However, it's still essential to double-check the final price before confirming your booking, as some fees, like resort fees, may still be collected by the hotel.

3. What happens if I need to change or cancel my booking?

Changing or canceling a booking made through an OTA can sometimes be more complicated than booking directly with the hotel. You'll need to go through the OTA's customer service, and you'll be subject to their cancellation policies as well as the hotel's. Always review the cancellation policy carefully before you book.

4. Can I still earn hotel loyalty points if I book through Expedia or Trip.com?

In most cases, you will not earn loyalty points with the hotel's own rewards program (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors) when you book through an OTA.This is a significant consideration for frequent travelers who are loyal to a particular hotel chain.

5. Which platform is better for last-minute hotel deals in the U.S.?

Both platforms can offer good last-minute deals.Expedia has a "Last-Minute Deals" section, and Trip.com is known for offering competitive prices on their app.The best approach is to check both platforms close to your travel dates to see what's available.