software
Expedia vs Hotels.com 2026: Best OTA Compared
Expedia offers more bundled vacation packages with flights and hotels combined, while Hotels.com specializes purely in accommodations with its loyalty rewards program that provides free nights. Both are major OTAs, but Expedia has wider travel options while Hotels.com focuses on maximizing hotel-specific savings.
E
Expedia
Full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, car rentals, activities, and vacation packages.
Travelers planning multi-component trips (flights + hotels + activities) who value convenience and package discounts over maximizing individual rewards.
Score63%
VS
H
Hotels.com
Specialized hotel-booking platform with industry-leading free night rewards loyalty program.
Hotel-focused travelers and loyalty members who book accommodations frequently and want to accumulate free night certificates without dealing with multi-component trip planning.
Score63%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryExpedia offers more bundled vacation packages with flights and hotels combined, while Hotels.com specializes purely in accommodations with its loyalty rewards program that provides free nights. Both are major OTAs, but Expedia has wider travel options while Hotels.com focuses on maximizing hotel-specific savings.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Expedia if you're booking a complete vacation with flights, hotels, and activities—the bundled discounts can save 30-40% compared to booking separately. Choose Hotels.com if you're booking accommodations only and want maximum loyalty rewards through free night certificates, especially for frequent hotel guests.
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E
Expedia
5.9/10
Hotels.com
9.1/10
H
E
Choose Expedia if
Travelers planning multi-component trips (flights + hotels + activities) who value convenience and package discounts over maximizing individual rewards.
H
Choose Hotels.com if
Best pickHotel-focused travelers and loyalty members who book accommodations frequently and want to accumulate free night certificates without dealing with multi-component trip planning.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Primary Service Focus:✓ Expedia wins(Flights, hotels, cars, packages, activities vs Hotels only (no flights or rental cars))
- Loyalty Rewards Structure:✓ Hotels.com wins(Free night rewards (10% of hotel stay value) vs Points per dollar (1% on most bookings))
- Average Hotel Inventory:✓ Hotels.com wins(880,000+ properties worldwide vs 700,000+ properties worldwide)
Key Facts & Figures
88 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Expedia | Hotels.com | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Deal Savings(%) | 15-35% flight+hotel bundles | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars) | 4.3/5 stars | — | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-12 hours average | — | — |
| 2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%) | 6-9% projected | — | — |
| Total Properties Listed(millions) | 1.5+ million properties | — | — |
| Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%) | ~18-25% with One Key | — | — |
| Base Loyalty Program Cost(USD) | Free entry (paid tiers available) | — | — |
| Monthly Website Visits(millions) | ~120 | — | — |
| 2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed) | 24,000+ global travelers | — | — |
| Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed) | Expedia Group properties + select partners | — | — |
| Hotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings) | 5-15% additional savings on combined bookings | — | — |
| Free Cancellation Window(hours) | 24 hours on most bookings | 24-48 hours on most bookings | |
| Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps) | Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps) | — | — |
| User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference) | Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers | — | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Expedia: 380M | — | — |
| Total Reviews/Listings(billions) | Expedia: 50M reviews | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | Expedia: 4.4 | — | — |
| Average Booking Commission(percent) | Expedia: Direct pricing (0% markup) | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | Expedia: 190+ | — | — |
| Average Loyalty Program ROI(percent return) | Expedia: 4-6% | — | — |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(% cashback/points) | 1% points | 10% toward free nights | |
| Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes) | 8-12 minutes | 6-9 minutes | |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion) | $40 billion | $26 billion | |
| Free Cancellation Coverage(%) | 85% of bookings | 88% of bookings | |
| Global Market Share(%) | 22% of OTA bookings | 14% of OTA bookings | |
| Total Property Listings(millions) | 780,000 | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.2 stars | 4.6 stars | |
| Booking Commission Rate(percent) | 15-20% | — | — |
| Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent) | Up to 20% | — | — |
| Active Annual Users(millions) | 152 million | — | — |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 1-2 hours (24/7 chat) | — | — |
| Rewards Program Earning Rate(points per $1 USD) | Fixed 10 points per $1 | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $40.8B | — | — |
| Hotel Inventory Size(properties) | 2,800,000+ hotels | — | — |
| Airline Partners(count) | 550+ airlines | — | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 150M+ downloads | — | — |
| Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper) | Baseline (0%) | — | — |
| Checkout Steps Required(steps) | 1-2 steps (integrated) | — | — |
| Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back) | 10% points + elite status | — | — |
| Global Hotel Inventory(properties) | 1.2+ million directly bookable | — | — |
| Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return) | 10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $40.2 billion (2024) | — | — |
| Price Match Guarantee(hours) | 24-hour Price Match Guarantee | — | — |
| Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent) | 2-8% markup over direct booking | — | — |
| Package Deal Savings(percent discount) | 10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles | — | — |
| Total Hotel Listings(millions) | 2.1+ million | — | — |
| Average Express/Discount Rate(%) | 10-30% | — | — |
| Customer Service Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 | — | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 100+ million | — | — |
| Loyalty Points Per Dollar(points) | 10 points/$1 | — | — |
| Flight + Hotel Package Savings(%) | 15-25% | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $8.8B | — | — |
| Total Accommodations Listed(millions of properties) | 3.8+ million | — | — |
| Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference) | baseline | — | — |
| Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties) | 85%+ | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars (380k+ reviews) | — | — |
| Loyalty Program Reward Rate(percent cashback/points) | 10% One Key points | — | — |
| Countries with Property Coverage(number of countries) | 70+ countries | — | — |
| Total Properties Available(properties) | 700,000+ | 880,000+ | |
| Package Discount Potential(%) | Up to 40% | Not available | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars) | 4.5 stars | 4.6 stars | |
| Price Match Protection Window(hours) | 24 hours | 48 hours | |
| Average Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-6 hours | 2-3 hours | |
| Member Exclusive Discount Range(%) | Up to 15% | 5-15% | |
| Global Listings Count(listings) | Hotels.com | Hotels.com | |
| 3-Night US Stay Total Cost Advantage(markets) | Hotels.com | Hotels.com | |
| Traveler Summer Eclipse Search Growth(percent) | Hotels.com | Hotels.com | |
| Total Accommodation Listings(millions) | 800,000 hotels | 800,000 hotels | |
| Mobile-Exclusive Discounts(% of listings) | Not available | Not available | |
| Loyalty Reward Rate(% per booking) | 10% bonus points | 10% bonus points | |
| Annual User Base(millions) | 150+ million users | 150+ million users | |
| Supported Languages(count) | 38 languages | 38 languages | |
| Free Cancellation Rate(% of bookings) | 90% of hotels | 90% of hotels | |
| Average Review Rating(out of 5) | 4.2 stars | 4.2 stars | |
| Hotel Selection Globally(properties) | 2,000,000+ properties | 2,000,000+ properties | |
| Typical Reward Value(%) | 10% cashback on select properties | 10% cashback on select properties | |
| Average Price Difference vs Direct Booking(%) | +8% higher than direct chain booking | +8% higher than direct chain booking | |
| Room Upgrade Frequency (Member Stays)(%) | 5-10% of stays (non-member bookings) | 5-10% of stays (non-member bookings) | |
| Elite Status Unlock Requirement(nights or bookings) | 10 nights for Hotel Rewards elite | 10 nights for Hotel Rewards elite | |
| Member Exclusive Perks Quantity(count) | 3-4 core perks at elite level | 3-4 core perks at elite level | |
| Average Discount on First Booking(%) | 5-15% | 5-15% | |
| Properties Available(count) | 500,000+ | 500,000+ | |
| Rewards Earning Rate(% of booking value) | 10% | 10% | |
| Elite Status Tiers(count) | None | None | |
| Nights to Free Night Certificate(nights) | 10-15 bookings | 10-15 bookings | |
| Room Upgrade Probability with Status(%) | 0% | 0% | |
| Price Match Guarantee Window(hours) | 24 hours | 24 hours | |
| Mobile App User Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 (2026) | 4.2/5 (2026) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
E
3ExpediaEvenly matched1 tie
H
3Hotels.comExpedia
Attribute
Hotels.com
- Flights, hotels, cars, packages, activities(winner)Primary Service FocusHotels only (no flights or rental cars)
- Points per dollar (1% on most bookings)Loyalty Rewards StructureFree night rewards (10% of hotel stay value)(winner)
- 700,000+ properties worldwideAverage Hotel Inventory880,000+ properties worldwide(winner)
- Up to 40% on flight+hotel bundles(winner)Package Deal DiscountsNo package deals (hotel-only)
- 4.5 stars (320K+ reviews)Mobile App Rating (iOS)4.6 stars (185K+ reviews)(winner)
- Within 24 hours of booking(winner)Price Match GuaranteeWithin 48 hours of booking
- Works with 500+ major brandsPartner Hotel BrandsOwned by Expedia Group (same inventory)
- Primary Service Focus
Expedia
Flights, hotels, cars, packages, activities(winner)
Hotels.com
Hotels only (no flights or rental cars)
- Loyalty Rewards Structure
Expedia
Points per dollar (1% on most bookings)
Hotels.com
Free night rewards (10% of hotel stay value)(winner)
- Average Hotel Inventory
Expedia
700,000+ properties worldwide
Hotels.com
880,000+ properties worldwide(winner)
- Package Deal Discounts
Expedia
Up to 40% on flight+hotel bundles(winner)
Hotels.com
No package deals (hotel-only)
- Mobile App Rating (iOS)
Expedia
4.5 stars (320K+ reviews)
Hotels.com
4.6 stars (185K+ reviews)(winner)
- Price Match Guarantee
Expedia
Within 24 hours of booking(winner)
Hotels.com
Within 48 hours of booking
- Partner Hotel Brands
Expedia
Works with 500+ major brands
Hotels.com
Owned by Expedia Group (same inventory)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Expedia | Hotels.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price Match Guarantee(available) | No | — |
| Hidden Fees Transparency(rating) | Good - occasional hidden charges | — |
| Booking Fee Structure | Variable | — |
| Average Domestic Roundtrip Airfare (Spring 2026)(USD) | Market competitive | — |
| Year-over-Year Airfare Change (Spring 2026)(% decrease) | Not specified | — |
Show 14 more attributesHotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings) 5-15% additional savings on combined bookings — Booking Commission Rate(percent) 15-20% — Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent) Up to 20% — Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper) Baseline (0%) — Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent) 2-8% markup over direct booking — Average Express/Discount Rate(%) 10-30% — Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference) baseline — Package Discount Potential(%) Up to 40% Not available Member Exclusive Discount Range(%) Up to 15% 5-15% 3-Night US Stay Total Cost Advantage(markets) Hotels.com — Typical Cleaning Fee Range(USD) Included in quoted rate — Mobile-Exclusive Discounts(% of listings) Not available — Average Price Difference vs Direct Booking(%) +8% higher than direct chain booking — Average Discount on First Booking(%) 5-15% — | ||
| Flight Booking Options(airlines) | 1000+ airlines (comprehensive) | — |
| Package Deal Savings(%) | 15-35% flight+hotel bundles | — |
| Nights to Free Night Certificate(nights) | 10-15 bookings | — |
| Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars) | 4.3/5 stars | — |
| Transparent Flight Details(visibility) | Hidden details on Express Deal flights | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | Expedia: 4.4 | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.2 stars | 4.6 stars(winner) |
| Checkout Steps Required(steps) | 1-2 steps (integrated) | — |
Show 2 more attributesMobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5) 4.6 stars (380k+ reviews) — Mobile App Rating(stars) 4.5 stars 4.6 stars | ||
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-12 hours average | — |
| 2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%) | 6-9% projected | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion) | $40 billion | $26 billion |
| AI Personalization Features(level) | AI-enhanced pricing & recommendations | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 100+ million | — |
| AI Personalization Features(level) | Basic | — |
| Sustainability Initiatives(programs) | Carbon offset programs, sustainable stays | — |
| Total Properties Listed(millions) | 1.5+ million properties | — |
| Total Property Listings(millions) | 780,000 | — |
| Total Accommodations Listed(millions of properties) | 3.8+ million | — |
| Total Properties Available(properties) | 700,000+ | 880,000+(winner) |
| Total Accommodation Listings(millions) | 800,000 hotels | — |
| Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%) | ~18-25% with One Key | — |
| Free Cancellation Window(hours) | 24 hours on most bookings | 24-48 hours on most bookings(winner) |
| Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties) | 85%+ | — |
| Free Cancellation Rate(% of bookings) | 90% of hotels | — |
| Base Loyalty Program Cost(USD) | Free entry (paid tiers available) | — |
| Average Loyalty Program ROI(percent return) | Expedia: 4-6% | — |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(% cashback/points) | 1% points | 10% toward free nights(winner) |
| Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return) | 10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards | — |
| Loyalty Points Per Dollar(points) | 10 points/$1 | — |
Show 4 more attributesLoyalty Reward Rate(% per booking) 10% bonus points — Typical Reward Value(%) 10% cashback on select properties — Points-to-Free-Night Conversion Value(USD per 1000 points) Not applicable (cashback model) — Rewards Earning Rate(% of booking value) 10% — | ||
| Monthly Website Visits(millions) | ~120 | — |
| Price Comparison Coverage(partner count) | Direct inventory | — |
| Cheapest Day Insights | General trends | — |
| Booking Transparency Level | Fully transparent (complete details) | — |
| User Control During Booking | Full customization available | — |
| Flight Booking Integration(integration level) | Full native integration with bundling | — |
Show 1 more attributeServices Offered Flights, hotels, cars, activities, packages Hotels only | ||
| Direct Booking Capability | Yes (on-platform) | — |
| Package Deal Options | Extensive | — |
| Package Deal Savings(percent discount) | 10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles | — |
| Mobile App Organization | Comprehensive | — |
| Mobile App Real-Time Alerts(feature completeness) | Advanced real-time alerts with exclusive app perks | — |
| Customer Support Availability(hours/day) | 24/7 | — |
| Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes) | 8-12 minutes | 6-9 minutes(winner) |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 1-2 hours (24/7 chat) | — |
| Customer Service Availability(hours/week) | 24/7 dedicated support | — |
| Customer Service Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 | — |
| Monthly Organic Traffic Trend (2026)(% change) | Positive sustained growth | — |
| Global Inventory Scale | Expansive/comprehensive | — |
| 2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed) | 24,000+ global travelers | — |
| Ideal Traveler Type (2026) | Flexible control-focused travelers | — |
| Global Market Share(%) | 22% of OTA bookings(winner) | 14% of OTA bookings |
| Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed) | Expedia Group properties + select partners | — |
| Price Drop Protection(coverage) | Available on select mobile app bookings | — |
| Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps) | Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps) | — |
| Check-in Flexibility | Standard 3pm (limited exceptions) | — |
| User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference) | Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Expedia: 380M | — |
| Total Reviews/Listings(billions) | Expedia: 50M reviews | — |
| Booking Features | Flights, Hotels, Cars, Activities, Packages | — |
| Customer Support Hours | 24/7 phone, chat, email | — |
| Average Booking Commission(percent) | Expedia: Direct pricing (0% markup) | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | Expedia: 190+ | — |
| Countries with Property Coverage(number of countries) | 70+ countries | — |
| Flight Booking Availability | Full integration with 500+ airlines | Limited options (meta-search only) |
| Free Cancellation Coverage(%) | 85% of bookings | 88% of bookings(winner) |
| Active Annual Users(millions) | 152 million | — |
| Rewards Program Earning Rate(points per $1 USD) | Fixed 10 points per $1 | — |
| Loyalty Program Reward Rate(percent cashback/points) | 10% One Key points | — |
| Offline Map & Itinerary Access | Limited offline features | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $40.8B | — |
| Hotel Inventory Size(properties) | 2,800,000+ hotels | — |
| Airline Partners(count) | 550+ airlines | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 150M+ downloads | — |
| Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back) | 10% points + elite status | — |
| Global Hotel Inventory(properties) | 1.2+ million directly bookable | — |
| Airline Coverage(airlines searchable) | Partner airlines + select OTA inventory | — |
| Hotel Selection Globally(properties) | 2,000,000+ properties | — |
| Properties Available(count) | 500,000+ | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $40.2 billion (2024) | — |
| Price Match Guarantee(hours) | 24-hour Price Match Guarantee | — |
| Price Match Protection Window(hours) | 24 hours | 48 hours(winner) |
| Total Hotel Listings(millions) | 2.1+ million | — |
| Flight + Hotel Package Savings(%) | 15-25% | — |
| Price Match Guarantee | Yes | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $8.8B | — |
| Average Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-6 hours | 2-3 hours(winner) |
| Global Listings Count(listings) | Hotels.com | — |
| Host Earnings to Date(billion USD) | Hotels.com | — |
| Service Standards Consistency | Standardized professional service | — |
| WiFi Reliability Guarantee | Guaranteed reliable (2026 standard) | — |
| Traveler Summer Eclipse Search Growth(percent) | Hotels.com | — |
| Annual User Base(millions) | 150+ million users | — |
| Supported Languages(count) | 38 languages | — |
| Average Review Rating(out of 5) | 4.2 stars | — |
| Room Upgrade Frequency (Member Stays)(%) | 5-10% of stays (non-member bookings) | — |
| Elite Status Unlock Requirement(nights or bookings) | 10 nights for Hotel Rewards elite | — |
| Elite Status Tiers(count) | None | — |
| Member Exclusive Perks Quantity(count) | 3-4 core perks at elite level | — |
| Room Upgrade Probability with Status(%) | 0% | — |
| Price Match Guarantee Window(hours) | 24 hours | — |
| Mobile App User Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 (2026) | — |
EExpedia
HHotels.com
Price Match Guarantee(available)
No
—
Hidden Fees Transparency(rating)
Good - occasional hidden charges
—
Booking Fee Structure
Variable
—
Average Domestic Roundtrip Airfare (Spring 2026)(USD)
Market competitive
—
Year-over-Year Airfare Change (Spring 2026)(% decrease)
Not specified
—
Show 14 more attributes
Hotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings)
5-15% additional savings on combined bookings
—
Booking Commission Rate(percent)
15-20%
—
Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent)
Up to 20%
—
Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper)
Baseline (0%)
—
Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent)
2-8% markup over direct booking
—
Average Express/Discount Rate(%)
10-30%
—
Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference)
baseline
—
Package Discount Potential(%)
Up to 40%
Not available
Member Exclusive Discount Range(%)
Up to 15%
5-15%
3-Night US Stay Total Cost Advantage(markets)
Hotels.com
—
Typical Cleaning Fee Range(USD)
Included in quoted rate
—
Mobile-Exclusive Discounts(% of listings)
Not available
—
Average Price Difference vs Direct Booking(%)
+8% higher than direct chain booking
—
Average Discount on First Booking(%)
5-15%
—
Flight Booking Options(airlines)
1000+ airlines (comprehensive)
—
Package Deal Savings(%)
15-35% flight+hotel bundles
—
Nights to Free Night Certificate(nights)
10-15 bookings
—
Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars)
4.3/5 stars
—
Transparent Flight Details(visibility)
Hidden details on Express Deal flights
—
Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5)
Expedia: 4.4
—
Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars)
4.2 stars
4.6 stars
Checkout Steps Required(steps)
1-2 steps (integrated)
—
Show 2 more attributes
Mobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5)
4.6 stars (380k+ reviews)
—
Mobile App Rating(stars)
4.5 stars
4.6 stars
Customer Support Response Time(hours)
4-12 hours average
—
2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%)
6-9% projected
—
Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion)
$40 billion
$26 billion
AI Personalization Features(level)
AI-enhanced pricing & recommendations
—
Mobile App Downloads(millions)
100+ million
—
AI Personalization Features(level)
Basic
—
Sustainability Initiatives(programs)
Carbon offset programs, sustainable stays
—
Total Properties Listed(millions)
1.5+ million properties
—
Total Property Listings(millions)
780,000
—
Total Accommodations Listed(millions of properties)
3.8+ million
—
Total Properties Available(properties)
700,000+
880,000+
Total Accommodation Listings(millions)
800,000 hotels
—
Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%)
~18-25% with One Key
—
Free Cancellation Window(hours)
24 hours on most bookings
24-48 hours on most bookings
Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties)
85%+
—
Free Cancellation Rate(% of bookings)
90% of hotels
—
Base Loyalty Program Cost(USD)
Free entry (paid tiers available)
—
Average Loyalty Program ROI(percent return)
Expedia: 4-6%
—
Loyalty Rewards Rate(% cashback/points)
1% points
10% toward free nights
Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return)
10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards
—
Loyalty Points Per Dollar(points)
10 points/$1
—
Show 4 more attributes
Loyalty Reward Rate(% per booking)
10% bonus points
—
Typical Reward Value(%)
10% cashback on select properties
—
Points-to-Free-Night Conversion Value(USD per 1000 points)
Not applicable (cashback model)
—
Rewards Earning Rate(% of booking value)
10%
—
Monthly Website Visits(millions)
~120
—
Price Comparison Coverage(partner count)
Direct inventory
—
Cheapest Day Insights
General trends
—
Booking Transparency Level
Fully transparent (complete details)
—
User Control During Booking
Full customization available
—
Flight Booking Integration(integration level)
Full native integration with bundling
—
Show 1 more attribute
Services Offered
Flights, hotels, cars, activities, packages
Hotels only
Direct Booking Capability
Yes (on-platform)
—
Package Deal Options
Extensive
—
Package Deal Savings(percent discount)
10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles
—
Mobile App Organization
Comprehensive
—
Mobile App Real-Time Alerts(feature completeness)
Advanced real-time alerts with exclusive app perks
—
Customer Support Availability(hours/day)
24/7
—
Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes)
8-12 minutes
6-9 minutes
Customer Service Response Time(hours)
1-2 hours (24/7 chat)
—
Customer Service Availability(hours/week)
24/7 dedicated support
—
Customer Service Rating(stars)
4.2/5
—
Monthly Organic Traffic Trend (2026)(% change)
Positive sustained growth
—
Global Inventory Scale
Expansive/comprehensive
—
2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed)
24,000+ global travelers
—
Ideal Traveler Type (2026)
Flexible control-focused travelers
—
Global Market Share(%)
22% of OTA bookings
14% of OTA bookings
Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed)
Expedia Group properties + select partners
—
Price Drop Protection(coverage)
Available on select mobile app bookings
—
Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps)
Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps)
—
Check-in Flexibility
Standard 3pm (limited exceptions)
—
User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference)
Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers
—
Monthly Active Users(millions)
Expedia: 380M
—
Total Reviews/Listings(billions)
Expedia: 50M reviews
—
Booking Features
Flights, Hotels, Cars, Activities, Packages
—
Customer Support Hours
24/7 phone, chat, email
—
Average Booking Commission(percent)
Expedia: Direct pricing (0% markup)
—
Countries Covered(count)
Expedia: 190+
—
Countries with Property Coverage(number of countries)
70+ countries
—
Flight Booking Availability
Full integration with 500+ airlines
Limited options (meta-search only)
Free Cancellation Coverage(%)
85% of bookings
88% of bookings
Active Annual Users(millions)
152 million
—
Rewards Program Earning Rate(points per $1 USD)
Fixed 10 points per $1
—
Loyalty Program Reward Rate(percent cashback/points)
10% One Key points
—
Offline Map & Itinerary Access
Limited offline features
—
Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion)
$40.8B
—
Hotel Inventory Size(properties)
2,800,000+ hotels
—
Airline Partners(count)
550+ airlines
—
Mobile App Downloads(millions)
150M+ downloads
—
Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back)
10% points + elite status
—
Global Hotel Inventory(properties)
1.2+ million directly bookable
—
Airline Coverage(airlines searchable)
Partner airlines + select OTA inventory
—
Hotel Selection Globally(properties)
2,000,000+ properties
—
Properties Available(count)
500,000+
—
Annual Revenue(USD billions)
$40.2 billion (2024)
—
Price Match Guarantee(hours)
24-hour Price Match Guarantee
—
Price Match Protection Window(hours)
24 hours
48 hours
Total Hotel Listings(millions)
2.1+ million
—
Flight + Hotel Package Savings(%)
15-25%
—
Price Match Guarantee
Yes
—
Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion)
$8.8B
—
Average Customer Support Response Time(hours)
4-6 hours
2-3 hours
Global Listings Count(listings)
Hotels.com
—
Host Earnings to Date(billion USD)
Hotels.com
—
Service Standards Consistency
Standardized professional service
—
WiFi Reliability Guarantee
Guaranteed reliable (2026 standard)
—
Traveler Summer Eclipse Search Growth(percent)
Hotels.com
—
Annual User Base(millions)
150+ million users
—
Supported Languages(count)
38 languages
—
Average Review Rating(out of 5)
4.2 stars
—
Room Upgrade Frequency (Member Stays)(%)
5-10% of stays (non-member bookings)
—
Elite Status Unlock Requirement(nights or bookings)
10 nights for Hotel Rewards elite
—
Elite Status Tiers(count)
None
—
Member Exclusive Perks Quantity(count)
3-4 core perks at elite level
—
Room Upgrade Probability with Status(%)
0%
—
Price Match Guarantee Window(hours)
24 hours
—
Mobile App User Rating(stars)
4.2/5 (2026)
—
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
E
H
E
Expedia
+5-3
Pros
- Flight+hotel packages save up to 40% vs. individual bookings
- Largest search results (700,000+ properties, 600+ airlines)
- Expedia Rewards earn 1% points on all purchases convertible to any travel category
- 24-hour price match guarantee protects against price drops
- One-stop shop for complete vacation planning
Cons
- Loyalty points value lower than Hotels.com's free night rewards for frequent travelers
- Customer service response time averages 4-6 hours (vs. Hotels.com's 2-3 hours)
- Higher booking fees on some budget hotel options
H
Hotels.com
+5-3
Pros
- Free night rewards equal 10% of every hotel stay spent (fastest path to free nights)
- Largest hotel inventory (880,000+ properties globally)
- 4.6-star app rating with superior user interface for hotel search
- Member-exclusive discounts averaging 5-15% off non-loyalty rates
- Faster customer support (2-3 hour average response)
Cons
- No flight bookings—requires separate booking for air travel
- No car rental or activity bookings integrated
- Free night certificates max out at property's average nightly rate (can leave cash on table for luxury hotels)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Hotels.com typically offers 5-15% lower prices on hotel-only bookings due to its specialized focus and higher inventory. However, Expedia occasionally matches or beats prices on select properties. For pure hotel shopping, Hotels.com is statistically cheaper 58% of the time based on rate comparisons across 3,000+ properties (2025 analysis).
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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