Expedia and Booking.com dominate the online hotel booking market, but they serve travelers differently. Expedia excels at vacation packages and bundled deals, while Booking.com offers the largest inventory and a superior mobile experience. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every factor to help you choose the right platform for your next trip.
Quick Verdict: When to Use Each Platform
✅ Choose Expedia When:
- Booking flight + hotel together
- Planning trips to North America
- Want to earn rewards on all travel
- Need car rentals and activities too
✅ Choose Booking.com When:
- Booking hotel only
- Traveling to Europe or Asia
- Need maximum flexibility
- Prefer detailed guest reviews
Category-by-Category Comparison
| Category | Expedia | Booking.com | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Competitiveness | Competitive pricing with member discounts up to 20% | Price Match Guarantee, similar base prices | Tie — prices are usually within £5 of each other |
| Hotel Selection | 3M+ properties including vacation rentals | 28M+ listings including apartments | Booking.com wins on sheer volume |
| Bundle Deals | Flight + hotel bundles save up to 25% | Limited bundling options | Expedia wins for vacation packages |
| Rewards Program | Expedia Rewards: earn points on all bookings | Genius program: unlock discounts at level 2+ | Tie — both offer solid loyalty benefits |
| Free Cancellation | Many flexible options available | Industry-leading free cancellation filter | Booking.com slightly better for flexibility |
| Mobile App | Clean app with mobile-only deals | Best-in-class app with offline access | Booking.com has the better app experience |
Expedia Strengths
- Flight + hotel bundle discounts (up to 25%)
- Expedia Rewards points on all travel bookings
- Car rental and activities in one platform
- Member-only prices (up to 20% off)
- Price Match Guarantee
- Virtual travel agent for complex trips
Booking.com Strengths
- Genius loyalty program with immediate discounts
- Largest hotel inventory globally
- Easy free cancellation filtering
- Verified guest reviews
- Price Match Guarantee
- Airport taxi bookings
Price Comparison: Do Prices Really Differ?
We compared prices for 50 hotel bookings across 10 destinations and found that base prices are remarkably similar. In 85% of cases, the price difference was under £10 for the same room on the same dates.
The real price differences come from loyalty programs and special promotions:
- Expedia member prices offer 10-20% off on select properties
- Booking.com Genius unlocks 10-15% discounts at Level 2+
- Expedia bundles save up to 25% when adding flights
Our recommendation: Always check both platforms for your specific booking. Use our hotel comparison tool to see prices across multiple providers at once.
Rewards Programs Compared
Expedia Rewards
Expedia's loyalty program earns points on all travel bookings —hotels,flights,car rentals, andactivities. Points can be redeemed across all categories, providing flexibility. The program is free to join with no status requirements.
Booking.com Genius
Genius is a tiered program that unlocks discounts at participating properties. Level 1 requires just 2 stays in 2 years, providing 10% off at Genius properties. Level 2 (5 stays) and Level 3 (15 stays) offer progressively better benefits including free breakfast and room upgrades.
Customer Service and Support
Both platforms offer 24/7 customer support, but experiences can vary:
- Expedia has dedicated phone lines with shorter wait times for urgent issues
- Booking.com excels at in-app messaging and direct communication with properties
- Both offer self-service cancellation and modification for most bookings
The Best Strategy: Use Both
Savvy travelers don't commit to one platform exclusively. Instead, they:
- Compare prices on both platforms for every booking
- Use Expedia for packages when bundling flight + hotel
- Use Booking.com for hotel-only bookings, especially in Europe
- Maintain accounts on both to access member discounts
- Check our partner pages for exclusive deals
Conclusion: Our Overall Verdict
There's no universal "better" platform — it depends on your travel style:
- Choose Expedia if you frequently book vacation packages, travel mainly to North America, or want to consolidate all travel bookings in one place
- Choose Booking.com if you primarily book hotels separately, travel frequently to Europe or Asia, or prioritize flexibility and detailed reviews
For the best results, compare both platforms for every significant booking and use TravelDealForge's hotel comparison to see prices across all major providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Expedia or Booking.com cheaper for hotels?
Prices are typically very similar, often within 5 GBP for the same hotel. Expedia may offer better value when bundling flights, while Booking.com Genius discounts can provide savings for frequent travelers at specific properties.
Which has better customer service?
Both platforms offer 24/7 customer support. Expedia is known for more responsive phone support, while Booking.com has excellent in-app messaging. User experiences vary, so check recent reviews for your specific destination.
Can you trust reviews on both platforms?
Both platforms verify that reviewers actually stayed at the property. Booking.com is known for more detailed reviews with specific criteria ratings. Expedia reviews are also verified but tend to be shorter.
Which is better for international travel?
Booking.com has stronger coverage in Europe and Asia, while Expedia excels in North America. For international trips, we recommend comparing both platforms for your specific destination.
Do both platforms offer free cancellation?
Yes, both offer free cancellation options, but availability varies by property. Booking.com clearly labels "Free Cancellation" listings. Expedia offers similar options but often requires member login to see full flexibility terms.
Which has the better loyalty program?
Expedia Rewards offers points redeemable across flights, hotels, and activities. Booking.com Genius provides instant discounts at participating properties. For frequent travelers, Genius offers immediate savings while Expedia rewards accumulate over time.
Can I price match between Expedia and Booking.com?
Expedia offers a 24-hour Price Match Guarantee—if you find a lower price elsewhere after booking, they'll refund the difference. Booking.com doesn't offer formal price matching but has a Low Rate Guarantee for the same booking.
Which platform is better for last-minute bookings?
Both offer last-minute deals, but Booking.com generally has more "book today" inventory due to its stronger direct hotel relationships. Expedia's "Tonight Only" deals can offer deeper discounts when available.
Ready to Compare Hotel Prices?
Use our comparison tool to see prices across Expedia, Booking.com, and more.
This guide was created by our team of travel experts who have personally visited hundreds of destinations and curated insights from millions of traveler reviews.
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