travel
Kayak vs Expedia Flight Booking 2026: Price & Value
Kayak is a metasearch engine that aggregates prices from multiple airlines and booking sites in real-time, while Expedia is a direct booking platform that sells flights through its own inventory and partnerships. Kayak typically shows lower prices by comparing all available options, but Expedia offers more integrated trip planning with hotels and car rentals in one checkout.
Kayak
Meta-search engine for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages founded in 2004.
Budget-conscious travelers, frequent flyers comparing multiple airlines, users comfortable with external redirects, people searching for flexible date options.
Score63%
VS
E
Expedia
Global online travel agency offering flights, hotels, cars, and vacation packages with direct booking capabilities.
Multi-destination travelers, business travelers needing integrated bookings, loyalty program members, users valuing customer support and convenience over lowest price.
Score63%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryKayak is a metasearch engine that aggregates prices from multiple airlines and booking sites in real-time, while Expedia is a direct booking platform that sells flights through its own inventory and partnerships. Kayak typically shows lower prices by comparing all available options, but Expedia offers more integrated trip planning with hotels and car rentals in one checkout.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Kayak if you want the absolute lowest fares and don't mind redirecting to external booking sites for checkout—it's ideal for price-conscious travelers on fixed budgets. Choose Expedia if you value convenience, strong customer support, integrated trip planning with hotels/cars, and reward points that accumulate across multiple bookings—it's better for multi-service trips and travelers who prioritize peace of mind with price guarantees.
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Kayak
6.9/10
Expedia
8.1/10
E
Choose Kayak if
Budget-conscious travelers, frequent flyers comparing multiple airlines, users comfortable with external redirects, people searching for flexible date options.
E
Choose Expedia if
Best pickMulti-destination travelers, business travelers needing integrated bookings, loyalty program members, users valuing customer support and convenience over lowest price.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Booking Method:✓ Expedia wins(Direct booking platform - completes purchase on Expedia vs Metasearch aggregator - redirects to airline/third-party sites)
- Average Price Comparison:✓ Kayak wins(Typically 3-8% lower due to aggregation of all sources vs Often 2-5% higher but includes exclusive Expedia Rewards)
- Price Guarantee:✓ Expedia wins(Price Match Guarantee: refunds difference if lower price found within 24 hours vs No price guarantee - redirects to booking site)
Key Facts & Figures
96 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Kayak | Expedia | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Website Visits(millions) | ~85 | ~120 | |
| Price Comparison Coverage(partner count) | 1000+ | Direct inventory | — |
| Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed) | 700+ airlines and OTA sites | Expedia Group properties + select partners | |
| Hotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings) | No bundling available | 5-15% additional savings on combined bookings | |
| Free Cancellation Window(hours) | Varies by airline/booking | 24 hours on most bookings | — |
| Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps) | Redirects to external sites (3-4 steps minimum) | Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps) | |
| User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference) | Recommended by 78% of flexible travelers | Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers | |
| Hotel Properties Available(count) | 1.3M+ | — | — |
| Airline Partners(count) | 700+ | — | — |
| Rental Car Locations(properties) | 250K+ | — | — |
| Average Search Time(seconds) | 4.2 seconds | — | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 10M+ | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $1.2B (est.) | $40.8B | |
| Hotel Inventory Size(properties) | Access to 1.5M+ via search | 2,800,000+ hotels | |
| Airline Partners(count) | 200+ booking sites aggregated | 550+ airlines | |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 80M+ downloads | 150M+ downloads | |
| Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper) | 8-18% cheaper | Baseline (0%) | |
| Checkout Steps Required(steps) | 3-5 steps (redirect + partner) | 1-2 steps (integrated) | |
| Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back) | No rewards program | 10% points + elite status | |
| Global Hotel Inventory(properties) | 500+ partner sources aggregated | 1.2+ million directly bookable | — |
| Airline Coverage(airlines searchable) | 100+ airlines across all channels | Partner airlines + select OTA inventory | — |
| Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return) | 0% (no program) | 10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards | |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billion) | $1.2 billion estimated (2024) | $40.2 billion (2024) | |
| Mobile App Rating(stars) | 4.6 stars (1.2M reviews) | 4.5 stars | |
| Price Match Guarantee(hours) | No guarantee offered | 24-hour Price Match Guarantee | — |
| Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent) | 0% (displays direct prices) | 2-8% markup over direct booking | |
| Package Deal Savings(percent discount) | Not applicable (comparison only) | 10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles | — |
| Number of Airlines Indexed(airlines) | 650+ airlines | — | — |
| Available Filter Options(filters) | 23+ advanced filters | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.5/5 stars | 4.2 stars | |
| Flexible Date Search Load Time(seconds) | 4-5 seconds | — | — |
| Price Tracking Accuracy(percent) | 95% accuracy prediction | — | — |
| iOS App Download Volume (millions)(millions) | 30+ million downloads | — | — |
| Average Flight Price Savings(percent) | 3-8% lower | 2-5% higher | |
| Customer Support Response Time(minutes) | 4-6 minutes average | 2-3 minutes average | |
| Loyalty Rewards Earning Rate(percent cashback/points) | 1% cashback on flights | 1-5x points, avg 1.5 pts/$1 (~1.2% value) | |
| Search Results Processing Speed(seconds) | 3-5 seconds | 1-2 seconds | |
| Booking Completion Time(minutes) | 5-7 minutes (with redirect) | 2-3 minutes (integrated) | |
| Sources Compared per Search(count) | 500+ airlines and booking sites | 50-100 partner airlines | |
| Mobile App User Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars (185K reviews, 2026) | 4.3 stars (320K reviews, 2026) | |
| Airlines Indexed(count) | ~500 airlines | — | — |
| Hotel Listings(properties) | 2.8 million | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 190 countries | — | — |
| Car Rental Partners(agencies) | 500+ agencies | — | — |
| iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6/5 (156K reviews) | — | — |
| Average Time to Book (mobile)(seconds) | 45 seconds (checkout to confirmation) | — | — |
| Package Deal Savings(%) | 15-35% flight+hotel bundles | 15-35% flight+hotel bundles | |
| Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars) | 4.3/5 stars | 4.3/5 stars | |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-12 hours average | 4-12 hours average | |
| 2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%) | 6-9% projected | 6-9% projected | |
| Total Properties Listed(millions) | 1.5+ million properties | 1.5+ million properties | |
| Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%) | ~18-25% with One Key | ~18-25% with One Key | |
| Base Loyalty Program Cost(USD) | Free entry (paid tiers available) | Free entry (paid tiers available) | |
| 2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed) | 24,000+ global travelers | 24,000+ global travelers | |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Expedia: 380M | Expedia: 380M | |
| Total Reviews/Listings(billions) | Expedia: 50M reviews | Expedia: 50M reviews | |
| Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) | Expedia: 4.4 | Expedia: 4.4 | |
| Average Booking Commission(percent) | Expedia: Direct pricing (0% markup) | Expedia: Direct pricing (0% markup) | |
| Countries Covered(count) | Expedia: 190+ | Expedia: 190+ | |
| Average Loyalty Program ROI(percent return) | Expedia: 4-6% | Expedia: 4-6% | |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(% cashback/points) | 1% points | 1% points | |
| Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes) | 8-12 minutes | 8-12 minutes | |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion) | $40 billion | $40 billion | |
| Free Cancellation Coverage(%) | 85% of bookings | 85% of bookings | |
| Global Market Share(%) | 22% of OTA bookings | 22% of OTA bookings | |
| Total Property Listings(millions) | 780,000 | 780,000 | |
| Booking Commission Rate(percent) | 15-20% | 15-20% | |
| Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent) | Up to 20% | Up to 20% | |
| Active Annual Users(millions) | 152 million | 152 million | |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 1-2 hours (24/7 chat) | 1-2 hours (24/7 chat) | |
| Rewards Program Earning Rate(points per $1 USD) | Fixed 10 points per $1 | Fixed 10 points per $1 | |
| Total Hotel Listings(millions) | 2.1+ million | 2.1+ million | |
| Average Express/Discount Rate(%) | 10-30% | 10-30% | |
| Customer Service Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 | |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 100+ million | 100+ million | |
| Loyalty Points Per Dollar(points) | 10 points/$1 | 10 points/$1 | |
| Flight + Hotel Package Savings(%) | 15-25% | 15-25% | |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $8.8B | $8.8B | |
| Total Accommodations Listed(millions of properties) | 3.8+ million | 3.8+ million | |
| Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference) | baseline | baseline | |
| Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties) | 85%+ | 85%+ | |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars (380k+ reviews) | 4.6 stars (380k+ reviews) | |
| Loyalty Program Reward Rate(percent cashback/points) | 10% One Key points | 10% One Key points | |
| Countries with Property Coverage(number of countries) | 70+ countries | 70+ countries | |
| Total Properties Available(properties) | 700,000+ | 700,000+ | |
| Package Discount Potential(%) | Up to 40% | Up to 40% | |
| Price Match Protection Window(hours) | 24 hours | 24 hours | |
| Average Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | |
| Member Exclusive Discount Range(%) | Up to 15% | Up to 15% | |
| Total User Reviews Available(millions) | ~340 million reviews | ~340 million reviews | |
| Average Hotel Booking Commission(percent) | 12-15% commission | 12-15% commission | |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) | 4.4 stars | 4.4 stars | |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 24-48 hours | 24-48 hours | |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 10% Expedia Rewards | 10% Expedia Rewards | |
| Number of Booking Partners(partners) | Direct OTA (no external redirects) | Direct OTA (no external redirects) | |
| Hotel Properties Indexed(millions) | ~5.5 million properties | ~5.5 million properties |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Expedia leads
E
6ExpediaKayak
Attribute
Expedia
- Metasearch aggregator - redirects to airline/third-party sitesBooking MethodDirect booking platform - completes purchase on Expedia(winner)
- Typically 3-8% lower due to aggregation of all sources(winner)Average Price ComparisonOften 2-5% higher but includes exclusive Expedia Rewards
- No price guarantee - redirects to booking sitePrice GuaranteePrice Match Guarantee: refunds difference if lower price found within 24 hours(winner)
- 24/7 chat support with average 4-6 minute responseCustomer Support Response Time24/7 support with average 2-3 minute response(winner)
- Flights only - separate searches needed for hotels/carsOne-Stop Trip BookingIntegrated flights, hotels, cars, activities in single checkout(winner)
- Kayak Rewards: 1% cashback on flights bookedLoyalty Rewards ProgramExpedia Rewards: earn points on flights + hotels (stackable benefits)(winner)
- 3-5 seconds to aggregate results from 500+ sourcesSearch Results Processing Speed1-2 seconds using proprietary inventory database(winner)
- Booking Method
Kayak
Metasearch aggregator - redirects to airline/third-party sites
Expedia
Direct booking platform - completes purchase on Expedia(winner)
- Average Price Comparison
Kayak
Typically 3-8% lower due to aggregation of all sources(winner)
Expedia
Often 2-5% higher but includes exclusive Expedia Rewards
- Price Guarantee
Kayak
No price guarantee - redirects to booking site
Expedia
Price Match Guarantee: refunds difference if lower price found within 24 hours(winner)
- Customer Support Response Time
Kayak
24/7 chat support with average 4-6 minute response
Expedia
24/7 support with average 2-3 minute response(winner)
- One-Stop Trip Booking
Kayak
Flights only - separate searches needed for hotels/cars
Expedia
Integrated flights, hotels, cars, activities in single checkout(winner)
- Loyalty Rewards Program
Kayak
Kayak Rewards: 1% cashback on flights booked
Expedia
Expedia Rewards: earn points on flights + hotels (stackable benefits)(winner)
- Search Results Processing Speed
Kayak
3-5 seconds to aggregate results from 500+ sources
Expedia
1-2 seconds using proprietary inventory database(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Kayak | Expedia |
|---|---|---|
| Market Ranking(position) | #2 | — |
| Ideal Traveler Type (2026) | Flexible control-focused travelers | — |
| Global Market Share(%) | 22% of OTA bookings | — |
| AI-Powered Features | Price tracking only | — |
| Price Prediction Accuracy(%) | Manual monitoring required | — |
| AI Personalization Features(level) | AI-enhanced pricing & recommendations | — |
| Booking Partners(count) | 200+ booking sites | — |
| Airline Coverage(airlines searchable) | 100+ airlines across all channels | Partner airlines + select OTA inventory |
| Number of Airlines Indexed(airlines) | 650+ airlines | — |
| Airlines Indexed(count) | ~500 airlines | — |
| Hotel Listings(properties) | 2.8 million | — |
Show 2 more attributesCountries Covered(count) 190 countries — Car Rental Partners(agencies) 500+ agencies — | ||
| International Price Data | Real-time Kayak Insights tracking | — |
| Google Ecosystem Integration | Limited | — |
| Flexible Date Search Options | Advanced matrix with multiple filters | — |
| Price Comparison Coverage(partner count) | 1000+ | Direct inventory |
| Cheapest Day Insights | Thursday identified (Jan 2026 data) | General trends |
| Price Prediction Capability(null) | Basic 12-month calendar view | — |
| Package Deal Integration(null) | Comprehensive flight+hotel+car bundles | — |
Show 9 more attributesAvailable Filter Options(filters) 23+ advanced filters — Price Tracking Accuracy(percent) 95% accuracy prediction — Hotel Booking Integration Limited/third-party links only — Cabin Class Filtering Economy, premium economy, business, first class — Price Alert Customization Customizable thresholds, multi-parameter alerts (price, dates, routes) — Booking Transparency Level Fully transparent (complete details) — User Control During Booking Full customization available — Flight Booking Integration(integration level) Full native integration with bundling — Services Offered Flights, hotels, cars, activities, packages — | ||
| User Satisfaction Rating(score) | 4.6/5 | — |
| Transparent Flight Details(visibility) | 100% transparency before booking(winner) | Hidden details on Express Deal flights |
| Checkout Steps Required(steps) | 3-5 steps (redirect + partner) | 1-2 steps (integrated)(winner) |
| Mobile App Rating(stars) | 4.6 stars (1.2M reviews)(winner) | 4.5 stars |
| Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.5/5 stars(winner) | 4.2 stars |
Show 6 more attributesBooking Completion Time(minutes) 5-7 minutes (with redirect) 2-3 minutes (integrated) iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) 4.6/5 (156K reviews) — Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars) 4.3/5 stars — Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5) Expedia: 4.4 — Mobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5) 4.6 stars (380k+ reviews) — Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) 4.4 stars — | ||
| Monthly Website Visits(millions) | ~85 | ~120(winner) |
| Direct Booking Capability | No (redirects) | Yes (on-platform) |
| Package Deal Options | Limited | Extensive |
| Package Deal Savings(percent discount) | Not applicable (comparison only) | 10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles |
| Mobile App Organization | Superior (iOS/Android) | Comprehensive |
| Mobile App Real-Time Alerts(feature completeness) | Basic price alerts available | Advanced real-time alerts with exclusive app perks |
| Customer Support Availability(hours/day) | Limited | 24/7 |
| Customer Service Availability(hours/week) | Limited; relies on partners | 24/7 dedicated support(winner) |
| Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes) | 8-12 minutes | — |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 1-2 hours (24/7 chat) | — |
| Customer Service Rating(stars) | 4.2/5 | — |
| Booking Fee Structure | None | Variable |
| Hotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings) | No bundling available | 5-15% additional savings on combined bookings(winner) |
| Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper) | 8-18% cheaper(winner) | Baseline (0%) |
| Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent) | 0% (displays direct prices)(winner) | 2-8% markup over direct booking |
| Average Flight Price Savings(percent) | 3-8% lower(winner) | 2-5% higher |
Show 10 more attributesPrice Match Guarantee(available) No — Hidden Fees Transparency(rating) Good - occasional hidden charges — Average Domestic Roundtrip Airfare (Spring 2026)(USD) Market competitive — Year-over-Year Airfare Change (Spring 2026)(% decrease) Not specified — Booking Commission Rate(percent) 15-20% — Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent) Up to 20% — Average Express/Discount Rate(%) 10-30% — Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference) baseline — Package Discount Potential(%) Up to 40% — Member Exclusive Discount Range(%) Up to 15% — | ||
| Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed) | 700+ airlines and OTA sites(winner) | Expedia Group properties + select partners |
| Price Drop Protection(coverage) | Not available | Available on select mobile app bookings |
| Free Cancellation Window(hours) | Varies by airline/booking | 24 hours on most bookings |
| Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%) | ~18-25% with One Key | — |
| Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties) | 85%+ | — |
| Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps) | Redirects to external sites (3-4 steps minimum) | Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps)(winner) |
| User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference) | Recommended by 78% of flexible travelers(winner) | Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers |
| Hotel Properties Available(count) | 1.3M+ | — |
| Airline Partners(count) | 700+ | — |
| Rental Car Locations(properties) | 250K+ | — |
| Total Properties Listed(millions) | 1.5+ million properties | — |
| Total Property Listings(millions) | 780,000 | — |
Show 3 more attributesTotal Accommodations Listed(millions of properties) 3.8+ million — Total Properties Available(properties) 700,000+ — Hotel Properties Indexed(millions) ~5.5 million properties — | ||
| Average Search Time(seconds) | 4.2 seconds | — |
| Flexible Date Search Load Time(seconds) | 4-5 seconds | — |
| Search Results Processing Speed(seconds) | 3-5 seconds | 1-2 seconds(winner) |
| Monthly Organic Traffic Trend (2026)(% change) | Positive sustained growth | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 10M+ | — |
| Free to Use | Yes, completely free | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion) | $1.2B (est.) | $40.8B(winner) |
| Hotel Inventory Size(properties) | Access to 1.5M+ via search | 2,800,000+ hotels(winner) |
| Airline Partners(count) | 200+ booking sites aggregated | 550+ airlines(winner) |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 80M+ downloads | 150M+ downloads(winner) |
| Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back) | No rewards program | 10% points + elite status(winner) |
| Global Hotel Inventory(properties) | 500+ partner sources aggregated | 1.2+ million directly bookable |
| Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return) | 0% (no program) | 10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards(winner) |
| Loyalty Rewards Earning Rate(percent cashback/points) | 1% cashback on flights | 1-5x points, avg 1.5 pts/$1 (~1.2% value)(winner) |
| 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 | — |
Show 1 more attributeLoyalty Points Per Dollar(points) 10 points/$1 — | ||
| Annual Revenue(USD Billion) | $1.2 billion estimated (2024) | $40.2 billion (2024)(winner) |
| Price Match Guarantee(hours) | No guarantee offered | 24-hour Price Match Guarantee |
| Price Match Protection Window(hours) | 24 hours | — |
| iOS App Download Volume (millions)(millions) | 30+ million downloads | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(minutes) | 4-6 minutes average | 2-3 minutes average(winner) |
| Customer Support Hours | 24/7 phone, chat, email | — |
| Price Guarantee | No guarantee - redirect booking | 24-hour Price Match Guarantee |
| Sources Compared per Search(count) | 500+ airlines and booking sites(winner) | 50-100 partner airlines |
| Mobile App User Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars (185K reviews, 2026)(winner) | 4.3 stars (320K reviews, 2026) |
| Average Time to Book (mobile)(seconds) | 45 seconds (checkout to confirmation) | — |
| Flight Booking Options(airlines) | 1000+ airlines (comprehensive) | — |
| Package Deal Savings(%) | 15-35% flight+hotel bundles | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(hours) | 4-12 hours average | — |
| 2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%) | 6-9% projected | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion) | $40 billion | — |
| Sustainability Initiatives(programs) | Carbon offset programs, sustainable stays | — |
| Global Inventory Scale | Expansive/comprehensive | — |
| 2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed) | 24,000+ global travelers | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Expedia: 380M | — |
| Total Reviews/Listings(billions) | Expedia: 50M reviews | — |
| Booking Features | Flights, Hotels, Cars, Activities, Packages | — |
| 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 | — |
| Free Cancellation Coverage(%) | 85% 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 | — |
| Total Hotel Listings(millions) | 2.1+ million | — |
| Mobile App Downloads(millions) | 100+ 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 | — |
| Total User Reviews Available(millions) | ~340 million reviews | — |
| Average Hotel Booking Commission(percent) | 12-15% commission | — |
| Customer Service Response Time(hours) | 24-48 hours | — |
| Loyalty Rewards Rate(percent cashback) | 10% Expedia Rewards | — |
| Number of Booking Partners(partners) | Direct OTA (no external redirects) | — |
| Flight Booking Capability(full/limited) | Full flight booking on-platform | — |
KayakEExpedia
Market Ranking(position)
#2
—
Ideal Traveler Type (2026)
Flexible control-focused travelers
—
Global Market Share(%)
22% of OTA bookings
—
AI-Powered Features
Price tracking only
—
Price Prediction Accuracy(%)
Manual monitoring required
—
AI Personalization Features(level)
AI-enhanced pricing & recommendations
—
Booking Partners(count)
200+ booking sites
—
Airline Coverage(airlines searchable)
100+ airlines across all channels
Partner airlines + select OTA inventory
Number of Airlines Indexed(airlines)
650+ airlines
—
Airlines Indexed(count)
~500 airlines
—
Hotel Listings(properties)
2.8 million
—
Show 2 more attributes
Countries Covered(count)
190 countries
—
Car Rental Partners(agencies)
500+ agencies
—
International Price Data
Real-time Kayak Insights tracking
—
Google Ecosystem Integration
Limited
—
Flexible Date Search Options
Advanced matrix with multiple filters
—
Price Comparison Coverage(partner count)
1000+
Direct inventory
Cheapest Day Insights
Thursday identified (Jan 2026 data)
General trends
Price Prediction Capability(null)
Basic 12-month calendar view
—
Package Deal Integration(null)
Comprehensive flight+hotel+car bundles
—
Show 9 more attributes
Available Filter Options(filters)
23+ advanced filters
—
Price Tracking Accuracy(percent)
95% accuracy prediction
—
Hotel Booking Integration
Limited/third-party links only
—
Cabin Class Filtering
Economy, premium economy, business, first class
—
Price Alert Customization
Customizable thresholds, multi-parameter alerts (price, dates, routes)
—
Booking Transparency Level
Fully transparent (complete details)
—
User Control During Booking
Full customization available
—
Flight Booking Integration(integration level)
Full native integration with bundling
—
Services Offered
Flights, hotels, cars, activities, packages
—
User Satisfaction Rating(score)
4.6/5
—
Transparent Flight Details(visibility)
100% transparency before booking
Hidden details on Express Deal flights
Checkout Steps Required(steps)
3-5 steps (redirect + partner)
1-2 steps (integrated)
Mobile App Rating(stars)
4.6 stars (1.2M reviews)
4.5 stars
Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars)
4.5/5 stars
4.2 stars
Show 6 more attributes
Booking Completion Time(minutes)
5-7 minutes (with redirect)
2-3 minutes (integrated)
iOS App Rating(stars out of 5)
4.6/5 (156K reviews)
—
Mobile App Rating (2026)(stars)
4.3/5 stars
—
Mobile App Rating(stars out of 5)
Expedia: 4.4
—
Mobile App Rating (iOS 2026)(stars out of 5)
4.6 stars (380k+ reviews)
—
Mobile App Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5)
4.4 stars
—
Monthly Website Visits(millions)
~85
~120
Direct Booking Capability
No (redirects)
Yes (on-platform)
Package Deal Options
Limited
Extensive
Package Deal Savings(percent discount)
Not applicable (comparison only)
10-15% savings on flight+hotel bundles
Mobile App Organization
Superior (iOS/Android)
Comprehensive
Mobile App Real-Time Alerts(feature completeness)
Basic price alerts available
Advanced real-time alerts with exclusive app perks
Customer Support Availability(hours/day)
Limited
24/7
Customer Service Availability(hours/week)
Limited; relies on partners
24/7 dedicated support
Average Customer Service Wait Time(minutes)
8-12 minutes
—
Customer Service Response Time(hours)
1-2 hours (24/7 chat)
—
Customer Service Rating(stars)
4.2/5
—
Booking Fee Structure
None
Variable
Hotel-Flight Bundle Discount(% savings)
No bundling available
5-15% additional savings on combined bookings
Average Flight Price Difference(percent cheaper)
8-18% cheaper
Baseline (0%)
Typical Flight Markup vs Direct Airline(percent)
0% (displays direct prices)
2-8% markup over direct booking
Average Flight Price Savings(percent)
3-8% lower
2-5% higher
Show 10 more attributes
Price Match Guarantee(available)
No
—
Hidden Fees Transparency(rating)
Good - occasional hidden charges
—
Average Domestic Roundtrip Airfare (Spring 2026)(USD)
Market competitive
—
Year-over-Year Airfare Change (Spring 2026)(% decrease)
Not specified
—
Booking Commission Rate(percent)
15-20%
—
Flight-Hotel Package Discount(percent)
Up to 20%
—
Average Express/Discount Rate(%)
10-30%
—
Average Hotel Price Premium/Discount(percent difference)
baseline
—
Package Discount Potential(%)
Up to 40%
—
Member Exclusive Discount Range(%)
Up to 15%
—
Price Comparison Coverage(sites indexed)
700+ airlines and OTA sites
Expedia Group properties + select partners
Price Drop Protection(coverage)
Not available
Available on select mobile app bookings
Free Cancellation Window(hours)
Varies by airline/booking
24 hours on most bookings
Average Hotel Cancellation Rate(%)
~18-25% with One Key
—
Free Cancellation Listings(percent of properties)
85%+
—
Direct Booking Integration(checkout steps)
Redirects to external sites (3-4 steps minimum)
Direct one-platform checkout (1-2 steps)
User Preference for Flexible Travel(% preference)
Recommended by 78% of flexible travelers
Preferred by 65% of fixed-plan travelers
Hotel Properties Available(count)
1.3M+
—
Airline Partners(count)
700+
—
Rental Car Locations(properties)
250K+
—
Total Properties Listed(millions)
1.5+ million properties
—
Total Property Listings(millions)
780,000
—
Show 3 more attributes
Total Accommodations Listed(millions of properties)
3.8+ million
—
Total Properties Available(properties)
700,000+
—
Hotel Properties Indexed(millions)
~5.5 million properties
—
Average Search Time(seconds)
4.2 seconds
—
Flexible Date Search Load Time(seconds)
4-5 seconds
—
Search Results Processing Speed(seconds)
3-5 seconds
1-2 seconds
Monthly Organic Traffic Trend (2026)(% change)
Positive sustained growth
—
Mobile App Downloads(millions)
10M+
—
Free to Use
Yes, completely free
—
Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billion)
$1.2B (est.)
$40.8B
Hotel Inventory Size(properties)
Access to 1.5M+ via search
2,800,000+ hotels
Airline Partners(count)
200+ booking sites aggregated
550+ airlines
Mobile App Downloads(millions)
80M+ downloads
150M+ downloads
Loyalty Program Rewards Rate(percent cash back)
No rewards program
10% points + elite status
Global Hotel Inventory(properties)
500+ partner sources aggregated
1.2+ million directly bookable
Loyalty Program Cashback(average percent return)
0% (no program)
10% average annual return on Expedia Rewards
Loyalty Rewards Earning Rate(percent cashback/points)
1% cashback on flights
1-5x points, avg 1.5 pts/$1 (~1.2% value)
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
—
Show 1 more attribute
Loyalty Points Per Dollar(points)
10 points/$1
—
Annual Revenue(USD Billion)
$1.2 billion estimated (2024)
$40.2 billion (2024)
Price Match Guarantee(hours)
No guarantee offered
24-hour Price Match Guarantee
Price Match Protection Window(hours)
24 hours
—
iOS App Download Volume (millions)(millions)
30+ million downloads
—
Customer Support Response Time(minutes)
4-6 minutes average
2-3 minutes average
Customer Support Hours
24/7 phone, chat, email
—
Price Guarantee
No guarantee - redirect booking
24-hour Price Match Guarantee
Sources Compared per Search(count)
500+ airlines and booking sites
50-100 partner airlines
Mobile App User Rating (iOS)(stars out of 5)
4.6 stars (185K reviews, 2026)
4.3 stars (320K reviews, 2026)
Average Time to Book (mobile)(seconds)
45 seconds (checkout to confirmation)
—
Flight Booking Options(airlines)
1000+ airlines (comprehensive)
—
Package Deal Savings(%)
15-35% flight+hotel bundles
—
Customer Support Response Time(hours)
4-12 hours average
—
2026 Revenue Growth Forecast(%)
6-9% projected
—
Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billion)
$40 billion
—
Sustainability Initiatives(programs)
Carbon offset programs, sustainable stays
—
Global Inventory Scale
Expansive/comprehensive
—
2026 Market Research Base(travelers surveyed)
24,000+ global travelers
—
Monthly Active Users(millions)
Expedia: 380M
—
Total Reviews/Listings(billions)
Expedia: 50M reviews
—
Booking Features
Flights, Hotels, Cars, Activities, Packages
—
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
—
Free Cancellation Coverage(%)
85% 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
—
Total Hotel Listings(millions)
2.1+ million
—
Mobile App Downloads(millions)
100+ 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
—
Total User Reviews Available(millions)
~340 million reviews
—
Average Hotel Booking Commission(percent)
12-15% commission
—
Customer Service Response Time(hours)
24-48 hours
—
Loyalty Rewards Rate(percent cashback)
10% Expedia Rewards
—
Number of Booking Partners(partners)
Direct OTA (no external redirects)
—
Flight Booking Capability(full/limited)
Full flight booking on-platform
—
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
E
Kayak
+5-3
Pros
- Typically displays 3-8% lower prices by comparing all available sources in real-time
- Advanced filtering options: flexible dates, nearby airports, price alerts with email/SMS notifications
- Transparent pricing breakdown showing taxes, fees, and exact departure times upfront
- Mobile app with offline map access and real-time flight tracking
- No booking fees charged directly by Kayak
Cons
- Requires external redirect to complete booking, adding 2-3 minutes to purchase process
- No customer support if issues arise post-booking (redirected to airline/third-party site)
- Rewards program limited: only 1% cashback vs competitors offering 5-10%
E
Expedia
+5-3
Pros
- Direct booking and checkout in under 2 minutes without external redirects
- Price Match Guarantee: refunds difference if better price found within 24 hours of booking
- Expedia Rewards points earn 1-5x on flights and stack with hotel bookings (1 point = ~0.8 cents value)
- Integrated trip planning: book flights + hotels + cars with single checkout process
- Superior customer support with 24/7 phone/chat access and average 2-3 minute response times
Cons
- Flight prices typically 2-5% higher than Kayak metasearch due to limited source aggregation
- Rewards earning rate (1 point per $1) slower than airline loyalty programs (1.5-2 miles per $1)
- Trip flexibility limited: cancellation policies vary by airline partner, less control over specific seat selection
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Kayak typically shows 3-8% lower prices on average because it searches 500+ airlines and booking sites simultaneously. However, Expedia's 24-hour Price Match Guarantee can offset this gap if you find a better price elsewhere after booking. For budget travelers, Kayak usually wins; for convenience, Expedia's integrated booking saves time and frustration.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
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