Is Expedia Safe?

If you use or plan to use Expedia, you need to know: Is Expedia safe? 

Below, we explain whether Expedia is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also look at some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is Expedia?

Expedia is a global online travel company that offers a wide range of travel services and products. Users can use the Expedia platform to book flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises, and activities.

Expedia’s website and mobile app feature customer reviews and ratings for hotels, activities, and other services, helping users make informed decisions. 

A price match guarantee on certain bookings ensures users get the best available rates.

Is Expedia Safe?

Yes, Expedia is generally considered a safe and reliable platform for booking travel. Founded in 1996, it’s one of the world’s most well-known and widely used online travel agencies.

Expedia uses encryption technology to protect users’ personal and payment information during transactions. The platform offers secure payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal.

Users can make informed decisions before booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities by examining the reviews and ratings left by other users. Many reviews on Expedia are verified, meaning they come from customers who have actually booked through the platform.

If there are any problems, Expedia offers 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email to assist with any issues, changes, or cancellations. To help protect against unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and travel delays, Expedia offers travel insurance options, adding an extra layer of security for travelers.

The security company UpGuard gives Expedia a score of 836 out of 950. Some of the issues UpGuard notes are that the service does not enforce HTTP Strict Transport Security, the Content Security Policy is not implemented, the Certification Authority Authorization (CAA) record is not valid, and the X-Content-Type-Options is not nosniff, creating specific vulnerabilities on the website.

In 2020, Expedia experienced a data breach. Millions of user records were exposed, prompting a class action lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, Expedia failed to not only protect users’ data but also to properly inform users about the breach. 

Is it safe to rent a car through Expedia?

Renting a car through Expedia is generally considered safe, as it is a reputable and well-known travel booking platform. 

Many internet users report using Expedia for rental cars without any issues. 

However, other users advise against using Expedia for rental cars for reasons unrelated to safety. For example, one user says Expedia will misquote prices or reserve a car with a rental company that might not get the best customer ratings. 

Is Expedia safe according to Reddit?

Reddit users have mixed opinions about Expedia’s safety and reliability.

Certain users report having had positive experiences and say it’s a good website for comparing different hotels and amenities. 

On the other hand, other users advise against using Expedia. They say Expedia failed to notify them about booking changes or cancellations, leading to unexpected charges and inconveniences​. 

Another common complaint is poor customer service, particularly when dealing with cancellations, refunds, or changes to bookings. Users have reported long wait times and unhelpful responses. 

Several users suggest avoiding Expedia altogether, recommending booking directly with airlines, hotels, or other travel providers for better reliability and customer support​. 

Is Expedia reliable for hotels?

Expedia is generally considered reliable for booking hotels. It is one of the largest and most well-known online travel agencies, offering a wide range of accommodations and competitive prices. 

The platform features user reviews and ratings, which can help you gauge the quality and suitability of a hotel based on the experiences of other travelers. 

It also often offers a price match guarantee, which can give you confidence that you’re getting a competitive rate.

However, some users say they’ve had issues with Expedia when booking hotels. 

There are reports of reservations not being communicated properly to hotels, leading to situations where travelers arrive only to find their booking doesn’t exist​. An easy solution to this is to call the hotel and confirm the reservation ahead of time. 

Users also say that when issues arise, such as incorrect bookings or the need for changes, users often get bounced between Expedia and the hotel, with neither party taking full responsibility. 

For travelers who prioritize customer service and loyalty benefits, booking directly with the hotel might be preferable.

Is Expedia Private?

Depends on your definition of “private.”

Expedia takes several measures to protect user privacy, including using encryption, secure servers, and limiting employee access to user data. 

Users can opt out of certain types of data-sharing, especially for marketing purposes, via account settings or by contacting Expedia’s customer support.

Expedia’s privacy policy outlines how it collects, uses, and shares personal information. This includes details on data collected during booking, account creation, and site usage. 

The policy explains what types of data are collected, such as personal details, payment information, travel preferences, and browsing behavior. The collected data is used to provide and improve services, personalize user experiences, process transactions, and communicate with customers.

To complete bookings, Expedia shares information with third-party service providers, such as airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. It also shares data with marketing partners and other entities as outlined in its privacy policy.

Expedia’s privacy policy receives a “Warning” rating from the Common Sense Privacy Program, meaning it does not meet the program’s recommendations for privacy and security practices. 

The program issues several warnings about Expedia. It says Expedia shares personal information for third-party marketing, displays personalized advertising, allows third parties to collect data for their own purposes, and creates and uses data profiles for personalized advertisements. It also says it is unclear whether Expedia sells or rents personal information to third parties. 

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy on Expedia

Follow the steps below for a more private and secure experience on Expedia. 

• Update your privacy preferences. Go to your account settings on Expedia and opt out of marketing communications.
• Limit personal information. Provide only the necessary information for booking, and avoid adding unnecessary personal details to your profile.
• Use strong passwords. Create a strong, unique password for your Expedia account. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. 
• Monitor and control data sharing. Manage your cookie settings on the Expedia website. Opt out of third-party cookies that track your browsing activity.
• Opt-out of marketing emails. Unsubscribe from marketing emails and newsletters to reduce the amount of personal information shared for marketing purposes.
• Use a VPN. Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when booking travel. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more difficult for third parties to track your online activities.
• Check your account activity. Regularly review your Expedia account activity for any unauthorized bookings or changes.
• Review your bank statements. Monitor your bank and credit card statements for suspicious transactions related to your Expedia bookings.
• Use secure payment methods. Use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal for transactions. These methods offer additional protection compared to debit cards or direct bank transfers.
• Don’t store payment info. Be cautious about saving payment information on the Expedia platform. If possible, manually enter payment details for each transaction instead of storing them.