Expedia is one of the most popular online travel booking platforms in the world. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, an international vacation, or a business trip, Expedia provides an easy way to book flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and even activities—all in one place.
But like any booking platform, knowing how to navigate Expedia smartly can help you save a substantial amount of money. Below are 10 tried-and-true tips to help you get the best deals on Expedia and travel without breaking the bank.
1. Bundle and Save with Vacation Packages
One of the most effective ways to save on Expedia is to book your flight and hotel (and even car rentals) as a package. Expedia often offers steep discounts—sometimes up to 30% or more—when you book them together. This feature is especially useful for international travel or when you’re visiting a city for several days.
Example: A round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Paris may cost $700 on its own, and a three-night hotel stay might be $600. But booked together as a package, Expedia might offer the whole trip for $1,100—saving you $200 or more.
Pro Tip: You can customize packages to include only what you need. Even if you don’t need a car, bundling your hotel and flight can still lead to major savings.
2. Sign Up for Expedia Rewards
Expedia’s loyalty program, One Key Rewards, is free to join and lets you earn points on every booking—whether it’s a hotel, flight, car rental, or activity. Points can be redeemed for discounts on future travel, and loyal members often get access to member-only pricing and perks like free room upgrades or late check-out.
Tiers include:
- Blue (Entry-level): Earn points and get member prices
- Silver (7 trips/year): Enjoy hotel benefits like free breakfast
- Gold (15 trips/year): Get premium perks like free room upgrades
Even if you don’t travel often, simply signing up gets you access to cheaper rates on thousands of properties.
3. Use the Mobile App for Extra Savings
Expedia often provides exclusive discounts through its mobile app. These mobile-only deals can be anywhere from 5% to 20% off select hotels or packages. Plus, the app makes it easy to manage itineraries, get real-time travel alerts, and access your digital travel documents.
Why it works: Expedia wants to promote app usage, so they incentivize users by offering slightly lower prices or bonus rewards for mobile bookings.
4. Book at the Right Time
The timing of your booking matters—a lot. Expedia’s annual travel trends report often highlights the best days to book for cheaper airfare and hotel rates.
General guidelines:
- Flights: Book domestic flights on a Sunday, about 21–60 days in advance.
- Hotels: Book on a Friday for the best hotel deals, especially for same-weekend stays.
- Last-minute hotel deals: Use the “Tonight” option in the app to snag last-minute hotel discounts.
Seasonality also plays a role. Booking during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) usually yields better rates than peak travel periods like summer or major holidays.
5. Use Coupons and Promo Codes
Expedia periodically releases promo codes and coupons, especially during sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or seasonal travel sales (e.g., “Spring Break Deals” or “Summer Savings”).
These can offer:
- 10–20% off hotels
- $25–$100 off vacation packages
- Bonus rewards points
Where to find them:
- Expedia’s homepage or email newsletter
- Coupon websites like RetailMeNot or Honey
- Travel blogs and affiliate partner promotions
Tip: Make sure you’re logged in and book from the desktop site or app to apply promo codes correctly.
6. Set Price Alerts
Not ready to book just yet? Use Expedia’s “price alert” feature to track flight or hotel prices over time. You’ll get notifications when prices drop or rise, helping you make informed decisions.
How it helps:
- Avoid overpaying by booking when prices dip
- Great for flexible travelers who can wait for a better deal
- Ideal for high-cost routes or luxury accommodations
You can set alerts on both the website and the mobile app. Combine this with Google Flights for extra accuracy.
7. Look for Expedia Special Rates and VIP Access Hotels
Expedia negotiates exclusive deals with certain hotels, which are labeled as “Expedia Special Rate.” These are typically lower than what’s offered on the hotel’s own website or other booking platforms.
Additionally, Expedia partners with “VIP Access” hotels—premium properties that offer added perks to One Key Rewards members, such as:
- Free breakfast
- Resort credits
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Room upgrades
If you travel often, staying at VIP Access hotels helps you rack up points faster and enjoy extra comfort without paying extra.
8. Check the “Deals” Section
Expedia has a dedicated Deals page that features hand-picked discounts on flights, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages. You can filter by:
- Destination
- Departure city
- Type of travel (romantic, family, business)
- Budget
This section is updated frequently, especially around major travel seasons. Expedia also highlights “Last-Minute Deals” and “Top Deals of the Week.”
Pro Tip: If your travel dates or destinations are flexible, this section can be a goldmine.
9. Stack Savings with Credit Cards and Cashback Portals
Want to maximize your savings? Pair your Expedia booking with:
- A travel rewards credit card (e.g., Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture)
- Cashback portals like Rakuten, TopCashback, or BeFrugal
Example stack:
- Book through Expedia’s Rakuten portal = 5% cashback
- Use Amex Platinum = 5x points on travel
- Apply an Expedia promo code = 10% off
That’s triple-dipping your savings: instant discount, credit card rewards, and cashback.
Watch for restrictions: Some cashback sites don’t stack with coupons or mobile bookings, so read the fine print.
10. Be Flexible with Airports and Destinations
If you’re willing to be flexible on where and when you travel, you can unlock significant savings. Expedia’s “Explore” feature lets you enter your departure city and browse deals across a map or list.
Use this if:
- You just want a vacation, but don’t care where
- You’re looking for spontaneous weekend getaways
- You want to maximize your budget without sacrificing quality
For flights, check nearby airports or search for “all airports” near your destination. A 30-minute train ride from a smaller airport could save you hundreds compared to flying into the city’s main hub.
Bonus: Combine Expedia with Other Booking Sites (Strategically)
While Expedia offers excellent deals, it’s still smart to compare prices across other travel platforms like:
- Google Flights
- Kayak
- Booking.com
- Hotels.com (also owned by Expedia)
- Skyscanner
Sometimes, you’ll find the same hotel cheaper on another site—or vice versa. Use this information to:
- Price match (Expedia occasionally honors lower prices found elsewhere)
- Decide where to book depending on loyalty rewards
Final Thoughts
Travel can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Expedia is already a powerful platform, and with a few savvy strategies—like bundling, timing your booking, and stacking savings—you can make your travel budget stretch much further.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your once-a-year getaway, these tips will help you find the best deals, maximize rewards, and travel smart. So next time you’re itching to explore a new city, relax on a beach, or take a last-minute business trip, keep these tips in your back pocket—and let Expedia work harder for you.
Ready to save on your next trip?
Try combining a vacation package with a promo code, use the app for exclusive savings, and don’t forget to activate cashback before you click “book.” Happy travels!
