Expedia is a good all in one travel site, and its deals are worth a look. But the best price depends on timing, so you need to know which deal is live and which one is coming.
Today, October 7, is the last day of a member sale. The homepage says members save up to 30% on select hotels and vacation rentals. After that, the site already points to three holiday sale pages. Read on and you will know what to grab today and what to wait for.
We have not booked through Expedia for this guide. The details come from the live homepage today, so please confirm each one on your own screen.
Table of Contents
The Deal Calendar
| When | Deal | What the Homepage Says |
|---|---|---|
| Today, October 7 | Member sale | Members save up to 30% on select hotels and vacation rentals |
| Coming up | Thanksgiving getaways | A deals page is already linked |
| Coming up | Black Friday | A deals page is already linked |
| Coming up | Travel Tuesday | A deals page is already linked |
| All year | Member Prices | Sign in to unlock instant savings |
| All year | Bundle and save | Add a flight to a stay, with savings that vary and are not on all packages |
| All year | Last minute deals | A dedicated page on the site |
| All year | Vacation payment plans | A dedicated page on the site |
What to Do Today
If you already know your dates and want a hotel or vacation rental, today is the day to check the member sale. Sign in first, since Member Prices show only when you are signed in.
Open your hotel, note the price, and keep the tab. Then look at the cancellation rules before you commit. A discount is only a good deal if you can change the plan when life changes.
If you are not sure about your dates, do not rush. The sale says select properties, so your hotel may not even be part of it.
What to Do Next Month
The Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Travel Tuesday pages are already linked. We could not see what each will offer, since the details sit on those pages. Here is a simple plan.
- Write down the trip you want and your top two hotels.
- Save the current price of each.
- Come back when each holiday page goes live and compare.
If the price is lower, book. If it is the same, you lost nothing by waiting. If the price went up, you have your notes to decide quickly.
What Expedia Does Well
- One place for a whole trip. Stays, flights, cars, activities and cruises are listed as separate tabs on the homepage.
- Choice in lodging. You can search hotels and vacation rentals, including private homes, condos, cabins and villas.
- Member Prices. One sign in unlocks savings on select properties.
- Rewards across sites. One Key works with Hotels.com and Vrbo.
- Payment plans page. The site lists vacation payment plans for people who want to spread the cost.
- Airport car rentals. The homepage links cheap car rentals at international airports.
Where Expedia Falls Short
- Savings vary. The site itself says bundle savings change and are not available on all packages.
- Sale limits. The member sale covers select hotels and rentals, not every one.
- Credit card terms. The 350 dollar OneKeyCash offer needs qualifying purchases on the One Key Plus Card, and terms apply.
- Rules differ. Every booking has its own cancel and refund rules, so you must read each one.
None of these are deal breakers. They are reasons to read before you pay.
Browse Expedia Thanksgiving Deals
Pick the Right Tab for Your Trip
| If You Are Planning | Start With | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A weekend in one city | Stays | Hotels and rentals in one search |
| A trip that needs a flight | Packages | You can compare a bundle with separate bookings |
| A road trip | Cars | Add a rental to your stay |
| A cruise | Cruises | Pages list popular destinations and departure ports |
| A trip with tours | Things to Do | Activities sit on the same account |
| A last minute getaway | Last minute deals | The site has a page for it |
Compare Expedia Package Prices
A Simple Price Log
Deal hunting works better with a record. Open a note on your phone and keep four lines for each trip.
- The date you looked at.
- The total price, with taxes and fees.
- The cancel rule in one short line.
- The name of the hotel and the room type.
After two or three checks, you will see whether prices are moving up, down or staying flat. That is far more useful than a guess. It also helps if you book and then see a lower price later, since you can show what you paid and when.
Three Mistakes to Skip
- Searching signed out. Member Prices need a sign in, so you may miss the lower number.
- Comparing the wrong things. A cheap room with strict cancel rules is not the same as a slightly dearer room you can change.
- Booking for the badge. A sale banner does not mean your hotel is part of the sale. Check the final price.
One Key, Short and Simple
One Key is the rewards program shared by Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. Signing in unlocks Member Prices, and you can earn OneKeyCash on eligible bookings.
The homepage also lists the One Key Plus Card, which offers 350 dollars in OneKeyCash after qualifying purchases. A credit card is a big choice. Read the fees and the interest rate. If you would not use the card without the bonus, skip it.
How Expedia Compares
| Category | Expedia | Booking.com | Priceline | Orbitz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Known for | Stays, flights, cars, packages and cruises | Stays and rentals | Hotels, flights and deals | Check site |
| Member pricing | Member Prices, up to 30% in the current sale | Check site | Check site | Check site |
| Holiday sale pages | Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Travel Tuesday | Check site | Check site | Check site |
| Rewards | One Key | Check site | Check site | Check site |
| Payment plans | A vacation payment plans page | Check site | Check site | Check site |
Competitor details change often. Compare the final price on each site for the same dates.
Quick Answers
Is today really the last day of the sale?
The homepage says the member deals on select hotels and vacation rentals end October 7.
Should I wait for Black Friday?
Maybe. We cannot see what the Black Friday page will offer. Save today’s price and compare later.
Is a bundle always cheaper?
No. Expedia says savings vary and are not on all packages.
Do I need to sign in?
For Member Prices, yes.
Can I spread the cost of a trip?
The homepage links a vacation payment plans page. We have not read its terms, so check the fees, the due dates and what happens if you cancel.
Who is Expedia best for?
Travelers who want hotels, flights, cars and activities under one login, and who do not mind comparing a few prices first. People who want a single, flat price with no sign in may find it a little more work.
What if the price drops after I book?
We could not confirm a rule for this on the homepage. Check the listing terms and the help center, and keep your price log handy if you need to ask for support.
Final Verdict
Expedia suits travelers who like to compare, save a price and come back. Use today’s member sale if your hotel is part of it. If not, take the notes from this calendar and check the holiday pages when they open.
Always read the cancel rules, and confirm every price before you pay.
