Pros and Cons of Using Expedia

For budget-conscious Singaporeans looking to plan their next getaway, booking platforms like Expedia offer a one-stop shop for flights, hotels, and holiday bundles. From scoring last-minute flight deals to comparing accommodation in Japan or Europe, Expedia is a familiar name.

But is it always cheaper than booking directly? And how does it compare when things go wrong, like cancellations or refunds?

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Expedia.

Pro: Expedia has frequent sales, last-minute travel deals and bundle discounts

Expedia.sg often features attractive deals for destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, Bali, and beyond. The platform is especially useful when you're booking Expedia vacations — those bundled flight and hotel packages that can offer serious savings.

Let’s say you’re booking a trip to Seoul. Instead of buying a round-trip flight and hotel stay separately, Expedia might offer a bundle deal that knocks a few hundred dollars off the total. It’s a great way to stretch your travel budget.

Plus, Expedia allows “Pay Later” options or monthly instalments via local services like Atome — helpful if you want to secure a deal now and spread out your payments.

» Learn more: 7 Family holiday ideas less than 7 hours from Singapore

Con: Booking directly is sometimes still cheaper than Expedia 

While Expedia is known for discounts, direct booking can occasionally be cheaper — especially when factoring in exclusive perks.

For example, hotels like Marina Bay Sands, PARKROYAL, or Capella Singapore sometimes offer complimentary breakfast or free upgrades when you book through their own sites. And those flashy DBS or UOB card promos? They often apply only to direct bookings.

Bottom line: Always double-check prices on the provider’s site before you click "book" on Expedia.

» Learn more: 8 unique & novel travel experiences you have to try at least once

Pro: You can purchase an Expedia travel insurance policy

Expedia Singapore partners with third-party insurers like AIG to offer add-on travel insurance. Depending on your booking, you can select plans that cover trip cancellations, flight delays, baggage loss, or medical emergencies.

You can even add protection for car rentals or hotel cancellations — a helpful option when travelling in uncertain times.

Con: External travel insurance can be cheaper or offer better coverage

That said, you might get better value by buying standalone coverage. A quick search on our travel insurance comparison tool shows that providers like FWD, Singlife, and MSIG often offer more comprehensive plans at lower premiums.

Even better? Some credit cards, like the HSBC Revolution or Citi Prestige, include free travel insurance — just pay for your trip with the card.

Use the “Fully Refundable” filter when booking hotels. For flights, you’ll typically get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours before your first flight— a policy aligned with most airline terms.

You can make changes or cancellations through Expedia’s self-service portal, live chat, or customer hotline.

Con: Most cancellation policies are bad, confusing or both

Here’s the tricky part: Expedia doesn’t set the cancellation rules — the airlines, hotels, and activity providers do.

This means you’ll need to dig into the fine print. Some bookings are non-refundable. Others charge steep fees. And if you're cancelling a bundle, you might need to chase both the airline and hotel to get your money back.

Wondering how long Expedia refunds take? It can be anywhere from 5 days to 6 weeks, depending on the provider.

Pro: It’s great for commitment-phobes

No, we don’t mean relationships. If you’re not one to be loyal to any airline or hotel chain, Expedia’s One Key Rewards might be perfect for you.

You’ll earn OneKeyCash, Expedia’s site-wide currency, on every booking, whether it’s a hotel, cruise, or attraction. You can then use this cash to offset future trips.

Think of it as cashback for travel. It’s ideal if you prefer to book based on price or location, rather than brand loyalty.

» Learn more: Money saving advice to avoid while on vacation

Con: Most hotel and airline loyalty programs are far more rewarding

While OneKeyCash is nice, it pales in comparison to dedicated loyalty programmes. For instance, KrisFlyer members won’t earn miles when booking Singapore Airlines flights through Expedia. The same goes for Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy perks — they only apply when you book direct.

Also, Expedia only gives you ~2% back for most bookings — not exactly game-changing. And you can’t part-pay for flights with OneKeyCash. You need to cover the full amount.

Pro: Expedia counts as a travel purchase

Great news: most travel credit cards in Singapore recognise Expedia as a travel merchant.

So, if you use your Citi PremierMiles, DBS Altitude, or UOB PRVI Miles Card, you’ll still earn bonus miles or cashback — even if you book through Expedia.

It’s a simple way to turn everyday bookings into rewards.

Con: Travel credit cards are usually better for earning and redeeming rewards directly

But if you’re aiming for maximum rewards, direct bookings might offer better earn rates — especially with airline or hotel co-branded cards.

For example, the KrisFlyer UOB Card gives you more miles per dollar when booking directly on singaporeair.com. Hotel cards like AMEX Hilton Honors also offer better returns for direct stays.

Some banks even reward you more when you book through their own travel portals (e.g., Citi ThankYou Travel).

Expedia makes travel planning easy. You can book everything from flights and hotels to Expedia cruises, all in one place. The platform offers deals, filters, and flexible payment options that appeal to casual travellers or families.

But if you're chasing loyalty perks, exclusive card promos, or clearer cancellation policies, it’s worth checking your options. Booking direct or using specialised platforms might get you more value for your money, especially if you have the right travel credit card or insurance coverage in place.

How to maximise your rewards 

You’ll want a travel credit card that aligns with your lifestyle and travel goals. Here are some of the best travel credit cards in Singapore for 2025, based on flexibility, perks, and miles value:

• Flexibility, point transfers and a large welcome bonus: Citi PremierMiles Card

• No annual fee (lifetime): HSBC Revolution Card

• Flat-rate travel rewards: Standard Chartered Journey Card

• Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card

• Luxury travel perks: American Express Platinum Card

• Best for business travellers: UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card