Discussions

expedia

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

expedia
2/12/2018 at 8:19 PM

planning a trip to jamaica and looking at renting a room through expedia have never used them before can the place down there charge u more once u get there like tax or ? just wondering don't want to get dinged for $ once we get there
Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Expedia
2/12/2018 at 9:45 PM

No there are no hidden or extra fees. Just make sure you read the details as some don't i:nclude everything. If it's just a room then it's pretty straight forward. If any meals or extras are i:ncluded make sure you know what they are before you confirm.

Irie Mon on here has a condo for rent. Its in the classifieds. It's nice, very reasonable but a little out of town (Negril) but it's easy to walk or take a cab. Check it out.

Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-02-12 21:58:18
auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

travel agent
2/12/2018 at 9:59 PM

can a person book on expedia through a travel agent
Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Agent
2/12/2018 at 10:46 PM

auggy said "can a person book on expedia through a travel agent "

No. Why would you want to? That's one of the reasons people use Expedia and other online sites, to avoid the fees travel agents cost. Nowadays there is no need for them. Search the places you are looking at, read the reviews and book. Expedia is a massive company. There is no scams or hidden tricks.

Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-02-12 22:47:17
Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Online booking
2/12/2018 at 10:50 PM

Here is a good read for booking yourself online. Its more geared at airfare and I know you are looking for a room but the it's basically the same. If it's your first time booking yourself it can be a little stressful but if you stick to well known sites you won't have any problems

http://ywgdeals.com/third-party-airfare-booking-sites-the-power-rankings-who-to-trust-who-to-avoid

Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-02-12 22:59:59
tomi
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 93

tomi
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 93

using on line bookings
2/13/2018 at 8:31 AM

I have used several on line booking sites and they have all worked well. However on 3 different occasions I have found out that if I had booked directly with the hotel, I could have received a better rate. Do not always assume the rate given on these sites are cheaper than rates offered by the hotels.
VTB
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 189

VTB
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 189

Agent
2/13/2018 at 9:21 AM

Booked for Jamaica through an agency, fee was $25. For that I get expertise and peace of mind, and a later review of online booking sites shows I got a great deal.

Sometimes having someone experienced is a good thing.

Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Joined: This month

Posts: 256

Agency

2/13/2018 at 9:27 AM

VTB said "Booked for Jamaica through an agency, fee was $25. For that I get expertise and peace of mind, and a later review of online booking sites shows I got a great deal.

Sometimes having someone experienced is a good thing. "

Out of curiosity what expertise did an agency and agent provide you?

Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

Irie Mon
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 368

In Jamaica Right Now
2/13/2018 at 9:58 AM

I am in Jamaica right now and could scope out a few places for you if you are thinking about staying in Negril. Also check the ebrandon classified adds. I think I saw a couple of rentals for Jamaica from people that live in Brandon. Also don't put to much weight on what the western media is saying about the state of emergency in Montego Bay(MoBay). MoBay is business as usual. The city is not paralyzed as stated on the CTV National news. I am able to answer any questions you have about that as well.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Expedia
2/13/2018 at 11:06 AM

Once upon a time I made a lot of bookings through Expedia. Europe, Aruba, various USA. Was definitely handy to show up at the hotel and have things already paid for thru Expedia... though as others have mentioned, read the fine print and reviews about fees at your hotel of choice that might still apply at the hotel. An unexpected $30USD resort fee per night can add up in a hurry and turn a great deal into an average one.

Though I still make the odd booking through them I’ve on average moved onto a combination of Airbnb, direct owner bookings and direct hotel websites. It’s not that Expedia has been bad, it’s a great comparison tool, but I find that Airbnb in particular is an excellent way to get a place that perhaps trades the hotel/resort atmosphere for a few more amenities in a studio apartment such as kitchen. You do have to be careful and read a lot of reviews to make sure you’re booking with somewhere and someone you’re comfortable with but so far our experiences have been quite good. I know nothing about Jamaica but it sounds like there are some sources you can lean on for ideas about what is and isn’t safe. Personally if from a government level Canada is putting out warnings like this one I would take it seriously when deciding what specific areas I stay in and how I plan my trip (They go as far as to say to restrict movement beyond resort security perimeters which would result in my needing a lot of convincing to stay in the area that’s under State of Emergency that isn’t a resort).

Before you book with Expedia (or the hotel’s website), compare the prices on identical bookings. I’ve gotten some great deals by finding a descrepency of a few dollars one way or the other and making use of price guarantee policies (some hotel chains have better policies than others)

Good luck!

VTB
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 189

VTB

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 189

Well

2/13/2018 at 11:23 AM

Ms.Daisy said "

VTB said "Booked for Jamaica through an agency, fee was $25. For that I get expertise and peace of mind, and a later review of online booking sites shows I got a great deal.

Sometimes having someone experienced is a good thing. "

Out of curiosity what expertise did an agency and agent provide you? "

They are familiar with the type of resort I want, the things I want to do, and the things I don't want. They often have been in the area and can speak from experience.

They sent me a list that they think I may like and I then have a much shorter number of choices to research.

That said, not all are equal. I checked with three companies before settling on the one I am with.

Also, I was trapped at an airport once due to a storm, no way was I going to make my connecting flight. One call and they looked after getting a different flight and setting up accommodations. Much easier than doing that on my own via cell phone in a place I am unfamiliar with.

Too each their own though, I just like how much easier it is with an agent.

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

hotel
2/13/2018 at 11:31 AM

yes i did call the hotel directly there price was $40 a night more than expedia the girl was not easy to talk to as i tried to explain she was under the impression that expedia took the loss and would not match there price
Hey!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 284

Hey!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 284

.
2/13/2018 at 11:34 AM

With Expedia make sure you have ground transportation scheduled to and from the airport. That cost might not be included.

A travel agent will connect you to an airline, the airline will have a rep to setup daily excursions you can take.

If you're roaming Europe by backpack I would use Expedia. If you're trying to keep a significant other happy I would use a travel agency.
TheScotsman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 373

TheScotsman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 373

Auggy
2/13/2018 at 11:36 AM

Phone prices are usually higher than internet prices. You would think dealing directly by phone would be better, it isn't.

Book online for the best prices, that is what hotels want you to do.
auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

prices
2/13/2018 at 11:42 AM

yes the girl was quoting me the same prices as on their web site much more expensive than expedia

Ms.Daisy
Joined: This month
Posts: 256

Ms.Daisy

Joined: This month

Posts: 256

Expedia

2/13/2018 at 11:45 AM

auggy said "yes i did call the hotel directly there price was $40 a night more than expedia the girl was not easy to talk to as i tried to explain she was under the impression that expedia took the loss and would not match there price "

The price is cheaper because they buy blocks of rooms at a certain price. They get a better price normally because they buy massive amounts of rooms and the hotel gets that money whether or not Expedia sells the rooms, it's guaranteed money. Sometimes if the rooms aren't as popular as they thought they discount them to get a little back. They do billions a year.

Good point on transfers if you are far from the airport and without a car cabs can be expensive.

Excursions I would never book through an agency, hotel or airline you pay way more. Best is to wait till you get there and talk to people and see what's good. There are lots of people that sell basically the same excursion all over and usually a lot cheaper then the hotels. Sometimes you can even negotiate a really good price.

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

auggy
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122

hotel
2/13/2018 at 12:19 PM

this is not a huge hotel they have 12 or 14 rooms so expedia is not booking bulk rooms i have been to negril numerous times and this is a place i have visited with other people who were staying there it is usually full but with the travel warnings there i suspect they aren't filling up
MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

MrDobalina
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 259

Only problem I ever had with Expedia
2/13/2018 at 12:38 PM

Was when there is an issue you're kind of on your own. We booked a week in Ocho Rios through expedia. Dirt cheap..$862/person for a week. Had an issue with seating on the flight, I tried to deal with it but Air Canada said it was booked through an agency so they had to deal with it. Called Expedia and they don't really deal with anything. That's not a slam, you should kind of expect that when dealing with an online anything.

Again we booked a room at the Victoria Inn here in Brandon through expedia and when we got there they didn't have the room. Not their fault, it was expedia's fault. If I'd booked through the Victoria Inn I'd have had recourse but Expedia just said they'd put the money back on my card in 3 to 5 days but in the mean time we're stuck in Brandon with no hotel. (Victoria Inn took care of us...got us a poolside room)

I still use Expedia to FIND the vacation...then I check the carrier. For example if I'd been booking the trip to Ocho Rios today I'd see it was with air canada...so I'd call air canada direct.
headabovewater
Joined: This month
Posts: 33

headabovewater
Joined: This month
Posts: 33

No matter who
2/13/2018 at 7:08 PM

you book with, read the fine print and find out who (if anyone) is going to help you out if things go south. Expedia provided us with a concierge number and other contact information that proved to be very helpful in a crisis.
Marcom19
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 237

Marcom19
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 237

I found that
2/13/2018 at 10:25 PM

Expedia is not the way to go. Booking thru them was way more than going directly to the hotel. Also, we used a travel agent for our flights to go to Vegas last year and we paid the same as booking on line. The reason we went thru an agent as we wanted to make sure about a shorter flight. You really have to look around!!