Priceline and Expedia are two of the most popular online travel agencies. Both provide platforms for travellers to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages.
When deciding between using Priceline or Expedia, it’s important to compare their pricing models, user experience, customer service, mobile apps, additional services offered, and overall pros and cons.
The information provided will help travellers determine which booking site may be better suited for their specific travel needs and preferences, whether you are want to make a hotel booking or search flights.
Company Background
Priceline Overview
Priceline International Ltd was founded in 1997 as a service for bidding on discounted airline tickets. The name "Priceline" refers to the company’s original model of allowing customers to name their price for travel products. Priceline later expanded its services to include hotel bookings, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages.
The website and apps primarily cater to leisure travellers seeking deals on travel. Priceline also owns Booking.com, Agoda, Rentalcars.com, and Kayak, though each site operates independently.
Expedia Overview
Expedia was launched in 1996 as a division of Microsoft to provide online travel bookings. The website was spun off as Expedia, Inc. in 2001. Today, Expedia Group operates a family of travel booking sites including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, Vrbo, and CarRentals.com.
Expedia Group aims to serve all types of travellers with options ranging from budget hotels to luxury vacations. The Expedia Group is one of the largest online travel companies globally, letting anyone compare hotel and accommodation prices quickly and easily.
Pricing and Deals
Priceline Pricing Strategy
Priceline utilises a unique "Name Your Own Price" bidding system that allows users to place blind bids on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Users specify travel dates, locations, star-ratings for hotels, and more, and submit their price. If accepted, the booking is confirmed within minutes.
Priceline claims users can save up to 60% compared to traditional bookings. Special promotions include coupon codes and seasonal sales.
Expedia Pricing Strategy
Expedia uses traditional fixed pricing models where travellers book flights, hotel rooms, cars, and activities at advertised rates. Rates are determined based on agreements with travel suppliers. Expedia promises travellers can find the lowest prices by comparing costs across brands including Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity.
Promotions include discounted hotel rates, airfare sales, and bundling deals on packages, as well as the Expedia rewards programme.
User Experience
Priceline User Interface
Priceline has a clean, visually appealing interface with intuitive navigation menus. The simplified home screen features large prompts to book flights, hotels, cars, cruises, and packages without extraneous clutter. Searches can be filtered easily by date, destination, budget, star ratings, and brand preferences using dropdown menus and slider tools.
The booking process is streamlined with clear tabs guiding users to enter travel details, review selections, add ancillary services, and complete checkout in just a few clicks. Thoughtful design choices reduce the stress often associated with travel planning.
Searches, filters, and bookings can be completed quickly even by users with limited technical expertise.
Expedia User Interface
Expedia also aims to provide a user-friendly interface with clearly labelled booking sections for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. But the homepage can feel more crowded compared to Priceline, with ads and promotions competing for attention.
The extensive filtering options cater to savvy travellers but can feel overwhelming for casual users. Travellers can filter results and use the integrated map feature to visualise hotel locations within specific neighbourhoods. This helps inform decision making based on sightseeing preferences. The multi-step booking process is reasonably efficient, though it may involve one too many confirmation pages.
An upside for rewards members are special access to sales and exclusive pricing not visible to all users.
Customer Service
Priceline Customer Support
Priceline offers 24/7 customer support via online chat, email, and phone. Wait times can vary depending on call volume but average 15-20 minutes.
According to reviews, representatives are generally helpful and trained well in resolving issues from booking changes to cancelled trips. They can re-book airfare, hotels, and rental cars typically subject to fees or rate differences.
For simple enquiries, Priceline also has an extensive online help centre with detailed FAQs and support articles to self-serve needs. But for significant booking issues, speaking to an agent is advised.
Expedia Customer Support
Similarly, Expedia provides round-the-clock customer service through online chat, email, and phone. Expedia also has an extensive knowledge base and FAQ section on its site.
Feedback on call quality is mixed, with some customers reporting long wait times. But many find Expedia agents to be knowledgeable and able to address concerns.
Mobile App Comparison
Priceline Mobile App
Priceline’s app earns high ratings for its intuitive interface, easy booking, price tracking features, and seamless integration with the website. Users appreciate the convenience of managing reservations via mobile device. Negative reviews focus on technical glitches. But overall, Priceline’s app delivers a smooth user experience.
Expedia Mobile App
With a 4.8 star rating, Expedia’s app is also popular for its ease of use and robust features. Users can book flights, hotels, and full packages on the go while accessing real-time deals. Push notifications and travel guides add utility. Downsides include occasional technical issues. However, the app provides significant value, especially for travellers who prefer booking via mobile.
Additional Services
Priceline Additional Offerings
Beyond core bookings, Priceline provides add-ons including travel insurance through Allianz, rental car services via Rentalcars.com, and integrated airline booking for flight + hotel booking packages.
Priceline also offers discounted attraction tickets and tours through Viator. Customers can bundle these ancillary services for greater convenience and savings.
Expedia Additional Offerings
Similarly, Expedia allows customers to supplement travel reservations with rental cars, airport transfers, tours and activities, and travel insurance. Expedia+ rewards members also gain access to exclusive perks and upgrades not always advertised to the general public. Travellers can add any of these extra services during the booking process.
Pros and Cons
Priceline Advantages
Priceline’s Name Your Own Price approach delivers significant savings unavailable on other booking sites. The website and app are well-designed with intuitive interfaces that make booking travel seamless and stress-free.
Priceline packages and promotions also offer additional value by bundling together flights, hotels, and rental cars for less. As an established brand, Priceline provides security and peace of mind for travellers who may be wary of lesser-known booking sites.
The company's acquisitions of other travel brands like Kayak and Booking.com further bolster its reputation as a trusted leader in online travel bookings. Priceline also offers one of the largest inventories of hotels available for opaque bidding, giving customers substantial options to find deals.
Priceline Disadvantages
The major tradeoff is Priceline’s nonrefundable booking policy for opaque rates acquired through the Name Your Own Price tool. Travellers must be comfortable making bookings without full details of airline, hotel, or car rental information upfront. There is an inherent risk in taking this approach.
Priceline’s inventory can also be more limited compared to Expedia, especially when it comes to niche activities, tours, and lesser-known lodging options. Expedia simply has a wider reach through its network of sites.
Lastly, Priceline customer service has room for improvement compared to competitors. Wait times can be long and representatives may lack expertise on niche booking issues.
Expedia Advantages
Expedia offers tremendous inventory across nearly every aspect of travel, from mainstream hotels and airlines to niche tour operators in international locales. Whether travelling domestically or abroad, Expedia is likely to have relevant options.
Travellers appreciate the flexibility Expedia provides to make changes to bookings when needed. Expedia's Rewards programme provides exclusive perks and upgrades not available to those without member status.
The site is also ideal for transparently comparing prices across affiliated brands including Orbitz, Travelocity, and countless airline and hotel partners. The wealth of information helps customers feel confident they are getting the best possible rate.
Expedia Disadvantages
As primarily a general marketplace, Expedia lacks the unique opaque bidding model that enables Priceline to undercut competitors on pricing in many cases. Savvy deal-seekers may find better savings using Priceline's Name Your Own Price tool.
Expedia also faces stiffer criticism regarding misleading advertisements for sales and promotions that don’t always deliver as advertised. The overwhelmed interface, while robust, can make it difficult to quickly identify the absolute best rates amidst the clutter.
Expedia has room to improve when it comes to transparent pricing and promotions.
Conclusion
When choosing between Priceline and Expedia, the main deciding factors are pricing model preference, brand inventory needs, booking flexibility, and user experience.
Priceline is ideal for bargain seekers who don’t mind opaque bookings. Expedia offers expansive inventory and flexibility for travellers who value comparison shopping. Both provide robust platforms for booking travel online.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on each traveller's priorities and trip parameters. With an understanding of the key strengths and limitations of each brand, travellers can determine if Priceline or Expedia is better suited for their next adventure.
FAQs
Is Expedia safe to use?
Yes, Expedia is safe for booking travel.
Can I save money by using Priceline?
Can I cancel a booking on Expedia?