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Orbitz
Hotel Booking
About Orbitz
Orbitz has become a respected leader in the hotel booking industry. They have been in business since 2001 and in that time have expanded their service to include several features to make booking quick, efficient and cost-effective. Orbitz offers their customers comprehensive packages with options, making it possible to book flights, cruises, rental cars, other ground transportation, lodging and even event or other entertainment (theater, amusement park, etc.) tickets online. Each package is fully customizable and services can be added a la carte as needed.
Why Orbitz?
• Fully customizable vacation and travel packages
• Best Price Guarantee (as long as travelers follow the terms and conditions stated at: http://www.orbitz.com/mktg/best-price-guarantee/)
• Orbitz rewards program allows travelers to earn points which can be redeemed for future travel.
• Orbitz offers a rewards VISA credit card which earns points for regular purchases as well as purchases made on Orbitz.com. These points are redeemable for travel.
• Orbitz works to keep up with trending topics and hot destinations, and regularly offers their customers insightful and timely travel articles on the hottest destinations.
The Good
• Orbitz offers travelers a one-stop and comprehensive selection on their website.
• Rewards program gives points for travel booked through Orbitz.
• Orbitz Rewards VISA allows for point accumulation redeemable for travel rewards for everyday purchases.
• Customer service representatives are friendly, helpful and available 24/7.
• Best Price Guarantee gives travelers piece of mind when booking.
• Tickets (airline and cruise), hotel, rental car and attractions tickets may be purchased online.
The Bad
Orbitz Best Price Guarantee reimbursements are not equally covered for all travelers.
• Orbitz does not offer a refund to the credit card with which travel was booked, rather by using Orbitz currency (Orbucks) for future travel. • The amount of the Orbucks credit depends on how much travel one has booked with Orbitz, meaning those with more trips booked on Orbitz will receive a higher Orbucks credit.
This may not be an issue for frequent travelers; infrequent travelers are not treated equally under this policy.
http://www.orbitz.com/mktg/best-price-guarantee/
As long as consumers understand the details of their contract and are aware of the fees involved with changing or canceling travel plans, Orbitz is a good option for booking travel. Whenever making travel plans with a third party booking company such as Orbitz, there are specific guidelines in their contract for change and cancellation fees which are often in addition to the fees charged by the airline, rental car company, or hotel property.
Third Party Information Sharing
In the past, Orbitz has shared their customers’ information with related sites, which is detailed in their Terms and Conditions. This has included some sharing of credit card information, which resulted in some customers being charged for travel services for which they did not opt in. This sharing of credit card information has since been addressed and stopped. It is critical to read the terms of any contract and for any website for which one is signing up, especially those which use personal information or from whom purchases are made.
Contract and Cancellation Policies
• As with all travel and as mentioned above, changes and cancellations either are not possible or can be difficult to obtain. It is important to remember that the best prices come with this caveat. • Orbitz.com offers changes and cancellations in some cases, with the customer paying the difference in fare or reservation, but most of the bookings reserved on this site (as well as their competitors) are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be changed.
• Orbitz.com does not charge fees for changes and cancellations, however the airline, hotel, car rental company or cruise line may. • Canceling a package reservation is subject to a $25/fee per person paid to Orbitz.com and may be in addition to any additional fees by airlines, hotels, etc.
Orbitz has several rules and regulations regarding their cancellation and changes which all travelers should be aware of before booking online or with an Orbitz agent.
The following is taken directly from Orbitz.com
about their Contract Details:
Orbitz Rewards Orbitz Rewards
• Earn $1 Orbuck for each $1 spent on any reservation or booking made through Orbitz.
• Instantly redeem Orbucks for stays on future reservations (no minumum to redeem) • Free to join
• http://www.orbitz.com/rewards/
Orbitz Rewards VISA Orbitz Rewards VISA
• Use anywhere VISA is accepted and earn Orbucks for purchases
• No annual fee
• Earn 5% Orbucks for each $1 spent on Orbitz travel and 2% on all other purchases
• http://www.orbitz.com/rewards/visacard/
Orbitz Rewards Dining Orbitz Rewards Dining
• By registering credit/debit cards, one can earn 5% Orbucks per $1 spent for using the card(s) at registered restaurants
• Free to join
• http://www.orbitzrewardsdining.com/
Better Business Bureau
• Accredited since 2001
• A+ rating
• 1535 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years
• 510 closed in last 12 months
• Factors which raised the BBB rating are: complaint volume relative to the size of company and company response to complaints
Social Media
Orbitz offers many benefits to those following them on social media. These include daily deals, contests, travel destination inspiration via blog articles, photographs and more. Orbitz maintains active social media accounts on: • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest
Mobile
For ease of booking, changing and researching travel destinations on the go, Orbitz offers a full-featured mobile site which is responsive as well as a mobile app. This app is free to download and is available for any Smartphone or tablet compatible with the following marketplaces:
Contact Information
Phone number: 888-656-4546 (English) 866-895-8036 (Spanish)
Address: Orbitz.com Headquarters
500 W Madison St., Ste 1000 Chicago, IL 60661-2559
Summary
There are many options available for booking travel. Our research indicates that booking with Orbitz as an option which should be considered. Their rewards program is a nice perk and travel booked with Orbitz is eligible for all frequent flyer programs as well.
