Lawsuit against Expedia: inflates prices by tens of percent
A new class-action lawsuit in the US alleges that travel giant Expedia inflates hotel prices by 15% to 30% through anti-competitive agreements that prevent hotels from offering lower prices on other channels. The article advises consumers to check prices directly on hotel websites, especially for loyalty program members, to get discounts and benefits.
A new class-action lawsuit filed in the US against travel giant Expedia Group alleges that the company artificially inflates hotel prices by 15% to 30%. According to the lawsuit, Expedia, which controls about 78% of the online travel agency market in the US, uses its market power to prevent hotels from offering lower prices on other channels, including their official websites. The result for consumers is higher payments, even when they believe they have found the best deal. However, hotels have found a way to bypass these restrictions through exclusive discounts for their loyalty program members, which are often free to join. Chains like Hilton and Marriott offer members discounts of 2% to 10% or more, along with benefits such as points accumulation or breakfast. The article recommends that consumers use booking sites as a research tool but book directly with the hotel to get a better price and additional benefits.