When it comes to booking a hotel room online, two of the most popular names you’ll encounter are Orbitz and Expedia. Both are trusted travel booking platforms, offering hotel stays, flights, vacation packages, and car rentals. But when it’s time to lock in a great deal, the big question is: should you use Orbitz or Expedia?
This article will break down the differences between the two, focusing on hotel stays, rewards programs, pricing, user experience, and overall value. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which site gives you the best bang for your buck—and how to maximize savings no matter which one you choose.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
The Connection Between Orbitz and Expedia
One of the first things you should know is that Expedia owns Orbitz. In 2015, Expedia Group acquired Orbitz Worldwide, which means Orbitz, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and several other booking sites all operate under the Expedia umbrella.
So why does Orbitz still exist separately? The answer is branding and audience. Expedia and Orbitz target slightly different types of travelers, and while their hotel inventory often overlaps, there are still differences in loyalty rewards, perks, and booking experience that can make one better than the other depending on your needs.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Comparing Hotel Prices: Orbitz vs Expedia
Let’s get right to the point: when it comes to hotel bookings, do Orbitz and Expedia show the same prices?
- Similar Base Prices: Since they pull from the same database of hotels, you’ll often see identical rates. For example, a Hilton in Los Angeles might show up for $249/night on both sites.
- Promo Codes and Coupons: Orbitz tends to offer more promo codes and Orbitz Rewards-specific deals, whereas Expedia pushes loyalty points and bundled package discounts.
- Mobile-Exclusive Rates: Both platforms offer special mobile app pricing, but Expedia sometimes offers more aggressive “Members Only” discounts.
Pro Tip: Even if the price looks identical, the perks you get through each platform can make a huge difference in overall value.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Orbitz Rewards vs Expedia Rewards
This is where the biggest differences show up.
Orbitz Rewards
- You earn Orbucks (typically 3% back on hotels booked through the app, 1% through desktop).
- Orbucks can be applied instantly to your next booking.
- Orbitz sometimes offers “double Orbucks” promotions for certain hotels.
- VIP access hotels give you perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, or spa discounts if you’re a higher-tier Orbitz Rewards member.
Expedia Rewards
- You earn Expedia OneKeyCash (launched in 2023 to unify Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo rewards).
- Earn up to 2% back on hotel bookings.
- Rewards can also be applied across Hotels.com and Vrbo, not just Expedia.
- Higher membership tiers (Silver, Gold) unlock perks like free room upgrades and flexible check-in/out.
Final Decision on Rewards:
If you want fast, direct savings, Orbitz Rewards is a little more straightforward. If you want long-term travel flexibility across multiple brands, Expedia Rewards is more powerful.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
User Experience and Ease of Booking
- Orbitz: Known for being clean, simple, and easy to use. Travelers who like to keep things streamlined often prefer Orbitz.
- Expedia: More features, more bundling options, but sometimes feels a little busier to navigate.
If you only want to book a hotel, Orbitz is often faster. If you want a full trip bundle—flight, hotel, car rental—Expedia usually shines.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Mobile Apps: Orbitz vs Expedia
Both Orbitz and Expedia have highly rated mobile apps.
- Orbitz’s app makes it easy to rack up extra Orbucks with mobile-exclusive deals.
- Expedia’s app integrates your full travel itinerary, great for managing complex trips.
Both apps offer 24/7 customer support chat, mobile check-in options (where supported by the hotel), and exclusive discounts.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Customer Support and Flexibility
Both sites are competitive here:
- Free cancellations on most bookings (as long as the hotel allows it).
- 24/7 customer service phone lines and chat.
- Price guarantees are rare these days, but sometimes pop up for package deals.
Expedia sometimes gets the edge with “Bundle and Save” packages that include built-in flexibility.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Orbitz vs Expedia: Who Wins?
So, which is better for booking a hotel?
- Choose Orbitz if:
- You want simple, fast booking.
- You like earning Orbucks and applying them right away.
- You value VIP hotel perks with loyalty status.
- Choose Expedia if:
- You book hotels as part of full vacation packages.
- You prefer rewards that can be used across multiple brands (Hotels.com, Vrbo).
- You want a feature-rich app that manages everything in one place.
Bottom line: If you’re focused only on hotels, Orbitz is often the more rewarding platform for instant savings. But if you’re a frequent traveler planning multi-part trips, Expedia’s ecosystem is more powerful.
Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
How to Save More on Either Platform
No matter which you choose, here are a few tricks to maximize your savings:
- Always compare app vs desktop prices. Mobile-exclusive rates are often lower.
- Look for promo codes. Orbitz especially runs frequent coupon campaigns.
- Stack rewards with credit card perks. Using a travel rewards credit card can double your benefits.
- Book refundable rates when possible. Flexibility can save you money if prices drop later.
- Join loyalty programs for both. Even if you primarily use one, it doesn’t hurt to accumulate points on the other.
- Reserve On Orbitz
Reserve On Expedia
Final Thoughts
Orbitz and Expedia may look similar on the surface, but the subtle differences in rewards, perks, and booking style can make one better than the other depending on how you travel.
If your main goal is booking hotels quickly at the best price, Orbitz is usually the winner. But if you want a comprehensive travel ecosystem that covers hotels, flights, vacation rentals, and beyond, Expedia edges ahead.
Whichever platform you choose, both are trusted, secure, and competitive—so the real win is finding the deals that fit your personal travel style.
HotelBook 
Leave a comment