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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Expedia vs HotelTonight

Expedia 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner Expedia
HotelTonight 4.9★ · Free to download 65

Expedia is generally better for comprehensive travel planning and consistent deals, while HotelTonight excels for last-minute hotel bookings and unique perks, despite recent declines in functionality and pricing.

Full reviews: Expedia · HotelTonight

Expedia offers a broad range of travel options with generally competitive pricing and a reliable platform, though it faces criticism for customer service and price discrepancies. HotelTonight, while praised for last-minute deals and unique perks like Airbnb credits, has seen a decline in functionality and competitive pricing since its acquisition by Airbnb.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: ExpediaR5R6R12R17
Expedia Expedia offers a wide range of travel booking options including flights, hotels, and excursions, with many users finding the app easy to navigate and use for searching and booking R5R17. However, some users report issues with the app spinning while searching, map view not working, lag, freezing, and general glitches R6. There are also complaints about the app size increasing and difficulties in accessing support or invoices R12.
HotelTonight HotelTonight was once praised for its functionality, especially for last-minute hotel deals . However, many recent reviews indicate a significant decline in functionality, with features like price range filters removed, map function becoming unusable due to ads, and a lack of options for filtering by amenities like AC or booking for more than two people . Users also report bugs with daily drop deals and booking processes .
Pricing and Value tieR5R18R22R23
Expedia Expedia is often lauded for offering the "best deals" and "best prices" on flights and hotels, with users appreciating the value and ability to earn rewards R5R23. However, a significant number of users complain about price gouging, prices changing quickly at checkout, and misleading offers for insurance R18R22R34R55.
HotelTonight HotelTonight was historically known for competitive last-minute deals . However, many recent reviews state that prices are no longer competitive, often being the same or higher than booking directly or through other sites R67R84R86R94. There are also frequent complaints about hidden fees and taxes not being included in the initial displayed price .
Customer Service and Support tieR4R10R12R13
Expedia Expedia's customer service receives widespread criticism for being "horrible," "terrible," and "incompetent" R4R10. Users report extreme difficulty in getting help with cancellations, refunds, or changes, often being passed between Expedia and vendors or unable to reach a live person R10R12R13.
HotelTonight HotelTonight's customer service receives mixed reviews. Some users praise specific agents for being "incredible" and going "above and beyond" to assist with reservations or accidental double charges . However, a significant number of users report a complete lack of support, especially when issues arise with hotel bookings, cancellations, or refunds . Some even claim the company actively avoids refunds and locks accounts .
Reliability and Accuracy edge: ExpediaR2R8R14R22
Expedia Expedia is generally seen as reliable for booking travel arrangements, with many positive experiences regarding hotel check-ins and flight experiences R2R8R14. However, there are serious concerns about the accuracy of hotel descriptions (e.g., AC availability), rooms being canceled without notice, and issues with refunds not being processed . Some users also report being misled about insurance charges R22.
HotelTonight HotelTonight's reliability has significantly declined. Users report hotels being oversold despite confirmed bookings, inaccurate information regarding amenities like pet fees or breakfast, and issues with payments not being sent to hotels . There are also complaints about the app displaying fake rates that change at checkout .
User Experience and Interface tieR1R5R6R7
Expedia Many users find Expedia's app easy to navigate and use, with everything at their fingertips R5R17. However, some report issues with the app's performance, including spinning, lag, freezing, and general glitches R6. There are also complaints about intrusive ads and privacy policy changes R1R7.
HotelTonight HotelTonight's interface is described as easy to use by some R84. However, recent updates have led to a degraded user experience, with ads making the map function unusable, removal of key filters, and issues with unified login/signup components that create new accounts .
Pick Expedia if

You need a comprehensive travel booking platform for flights, hotels, and excursions, and prioritize a wide selection of options and generally competitive prices R5R23. You are comfortable with a larger app size and are willing to navigate potential customer service challenges for complex issues R10.

Pick HotelTonight if

You are primarily looking for last-minute hotel deals and appreciate perks like Airbnb credits, and are willing to overlook recent declines in app functionality and potential pricing inconsistencies . You value a straightforward booking process for simple hotel stays .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, especially regarding customer service and pricing discrepancies. HotelTonight's recent reviews are particularly negative, indicating a decline in its core value proposition since the Airbnb acquisition. Expedia's negative reviews are often about specific hotel experiences or customer service, rather than the app's core functionality for finding options.

Frequently asked

Does HotelTonight still offer good last-minute deals?
While HotelTonight was historically known for excellent last-minute deals, many recent users report that prices are no longer competitive and are often the same or even higher than booking directly with hotels or through other apps R67R84R86R94.
Is it difficult to get refunds or customer support from Expedia?
Yes, many Expedia users report significant difficulty in obtaining refunds or receiving effective customer support, describing the service as "horrible" and "incompetent," with issues like being unable to reach a live person or being passed between Expedia and vendors R4R10R12R13.
Are there hidden fees or price changes when booking with either app?
Both apps have users complaining about hidden fees or prices changing at checkout. Expedia users report price jumps and misleading insurance offers R18R22R34R55, while HotelTonight users frequently mention taxes and other fees not being included in the initial displayed price, leading to a higher final cost .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Expedia 5/5 · US Best Deals: I love the ease of navigating the App.. always happy with the prices I pay.
  2. [R6] Expedia 3/5 · US App just spinning while searching: I can use the app to search, I can use the website though. I use the app just for booking info and the website for searching for my travel.
  3. [R12] Expedia 3/5 · US Hotel invoice: Why is it so hard to get the hotel invoice from Expedia after the stay? Why not get an email with the invoice right after the stay? Impossible to get a live person to talk to you or even get a contact number and the virtual assistant keeps asking about a new booking on the app. Not intuitive imo.
  4. [R17] Expedia 5/5 · US Superb: Everything is at your fingertips so easy to navigate
  5. [R18] Expedia 3/5 · US Stop price gouging please :): The site itself is intuitive and easy to use but the prices and price jumps are ridiculous all companies use our data and raise prices accordingly. Your website will tell me one price and I will go to checkout and the price is vastly different
  6. [R22] Expedia 1/5 · US Misled: When checking out of my hotel purchase, an offer popped up for trip insurance for $4.50. So, I opted for it. When I printed my receipt the charge was $9.00 for the insurance. Is this fraud?
  7. [R23] Expedia 5/5 · US Airfares: Expedia gives the best price on reliable airlines - the site is established and reliable
  8. [R4] Expedia 1/5 · US Customer: Horrible customer service
  9. [R10] Expedia 1/5 · US Terrible service: Cannot get help when flight get cancelled
  10. [R13] Expedia 1/5 · US Difficult: Hard to obtain refund when vendor cancels event.
  11. [R2] Expedia 5/5 · US Quick, Easy & Friendly Check-In: Arrived at the hotel and was quickly greeted by staff at the check in counter. She was great! Absolutely love receiving a drink token when arriving-hope more hotels follow this trend!
  12. [R8] Expedia 5/5 · US Good: So far so good
  13. [R14] Expedia 4/5 · US Flying Happy: The Staff was very professional, courteous, and respectful. The flight was good, we made good time flying. No problems whatsoever. Thank you Guys!
  14. [R1] Expedia 1/5 · US Changing of Privacy Policies: It’s dirty how they change their privacy policies once you have the app. Just wrong!!!
  15. [R7] Expedia 1/5 · US Oppressive sales tool on me here: All oppression ads on me head 🙁🙁
  16. [R67] HotelTonight 2/5 · US Worse since Airbnb took over: The app used to be great and it used to have daily deals that were extremely competitive. Now every single offer is the same or more than what I get on other sites and even calling the hotel directly. Airbnb, you ruined this
  17. [R84] HotelTonight 1/5 · US Overcharges customers: The app is so easy to use. But they underpay hotels and overcharge customers. I paid at least $20 more per night than I would have paid booking directly with the hotel.
  18. [R86] HotelTonight 2/5 · US I used to love this app: I used to love this app. Not so much anymore, now that I’ve noticed they will price gouge you right before checkout… that’s right, they’ll get you interested in a room for say $100 a night for 3 nights then you go to the final page and it is twice the price. I’ll just cut this app out and go directly to the hotel. Even though I’m a level 12 on here it’s about to stop compl
  19. [R94] HotelTonight 1/5 · US Used to be good: Used to be good at finding deals. Now literally any other app can beat these guys prices all day. Time to DELETE!!!
  20. [R34] Expedia 2/5 · US Gives you one price but always is higher in the end: The past few times I went to book it gives you one price but when you check out it always seems to go up by a lot had good luck before but now it’s just a joke
  21. [R55] Expedia 1/5 · US Higher Prices Changing so quickly: Why publish prices only to have them change so quickly before you check out. Such unfair practices. I'm reporting Expedia. Very misleading

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store