Booking Hotels with Expedia
 

Has anyone had experience in booking hotels in India through Expedia? How did it work out?

You are WAY better off booking the hotels yourself directly with the the hotel via their email/their Web site or via fax. I've ALWAYS found Expedia and Travelocity more expensive. Anyway why not try and then compare the prices of doing it yourself vs these usually overpriced services.

I HAVE compared expedia and the hotels directly, and have found several occasions where I can save a significant amount of money ($100 CAD per night) using expedia. I want to know about expedia's reliability.

Not sure about hotels, but I could never ever get any flights on Expedia even close to those the travel agents gave we are talkin x3 !

I am probably doing something wrong
Anyone else?
Muck

I guess for USA and Europe they might be ok but when it comes to Asia I have checked their site a few times and not only a very fvery limiteed choice, much local information is years out of date. I stick with local operators with the best choice, good prices, and local know-how.

Since I am in the early stages of planning a trip to India, I decided to check out the rates for a November stay in a standard room at the Oberoi Hotel in Dehli. The Oberoi web site is the most expensive at $375/night + 12.5% tax. This rate includes breakfast and transfers. Expedia is much less at $169 + 12.5% tax. The lowest rate I found is on asiahotels.com at $175 including tax. Expedia and Asiahotels rates are prepaid rates, however and breakfast/transfers are not included. Hope this helps.

We have used Expedia a couple of times to Europe (and oddly enough in the US) all times we received a better rate than going direct. HOWEVER, the big caveat is you have to be very well aware of their cancellation policies - also, after you have booked (as we found out for a Madrid trip) we suddenly had an $8.25 charge per night for "handling" etc. If you can book fairly close to your time of departure so your up front money doesn't hurt as much! They do have an 800# in the US and their people are very helpful and knowledgeable - if you have done your homework first. Each time we have used them our trip has gone exactly as we wanted. (Also make sure that prices quoted include breakfast, etc.) We had booked a Holland America cruise a couple of years ago which got cancelled - Expedia called us and said that H.A. had cancelled and they were refunding all our money to our credit card.

Don't go by ANY published price including the hotel's own web sute. Always, email or fax the hotel directly and ask for the "best price." Tourism is way down in India and I'm sure there are deals to be had.

Also, local Indian travel agents may be able to get you an even better price.

hi,

the best way will be to catch a local travel agent who has good rates with the hotels.

the hotels websites rates are very high and regarding expedia and other agents they will definately be more expencive than agents directly in india because i have noticed if u book through these travel sites they usally pass on the booking to their local agent from whom they buy. so its better to catch a local agent who has a good rate. this will eliminate the middle man and save money

i travel to india atleast 4 times a year for business to buy handicrafts etc. and have got a local agent whos rates are very good and service always reliable with chauffer cars and english guides.

his rate is no where comparable on any site i have check it out. the agent is much lower.

so i recommend you to catch a local agent.

as somone has posted that expedia is offering appx $175 for Oberoi.

my agent offers me $175 with tax at ITC Maurya Sherton which is a better property. and if budget is not a issue i definately recommend u to check out ITC One rooms at Maurya Sheraton they are i think $350 a double a night with breakfast and taxes. but are really worth what u pay. this rate includes host of facilities also.

so save money. catch a local agent

if u require any help from my side just email me. i will give you whatever info that i can.

enjoy you trip