Expedia.com cancellation fee

[disneysteve]

I have researched travel at Expedia.com before, but I had never actually booked anything through them until a couple of weeks ago. I'm going to Atlantic City next month for a conference and they had rooms available at the Hilton when the Hilton's own website showed they were sold out, so I booked with Expedia.

My partner ended up offering to let me use his shore house for free so I don't need the hotel after all. When I went to cancel, I discovered that they have a $25 cancellation fee. My fault for not reading the fine print when I reserved. I'm assuming it was mentioned somewhere. I'm going to try and contact Expedia and see if they'll consider waiving the fee this one time but otherwise I'll chalk it up to experience.

Just an FYI for anyone who might be thinking about using their service.

[maxim730]

Expedia is very bad with its cancellation policy. My coworker book a flight for me with the incorrect dates. Expedia would not allow him to change the dates on the ticket. I had to book a second set of ticket so I could get the correct return date.

Lesson learned - use sites like Expedia to research prices, options, etc. but book the actual ticket/hotel stay/etc through the company itself (hilton.com, continental.com), etc. It will always be cheaper also.

[pearlieq]

Lesson learned - use sites like Expedia to research prices, options, etc. but book the actual ticket/hotel stay/etc through the company itself (hilton.com, continental.com), etc.

AMEN!

I can see how it might be necessary to book with a 3rd party in the situation the OP described, but in general it's a really bad idea to book with a 3rd party consolidator. There is usually a hefty cancellation fee, and sometimes processing or booking fees. I've also noticed lots more pre-payment demands.

In 99 out of 100 situations the traveler will be much better served by researching with them but booking direct.

[PRICEPLUS]

Thanks for the heads up Steve.