Expedia buying rival Orbitz for about $1.33 billion

Associated Press ^ | Feb. 12, 2015 10:29 AM EST | Michelle Chapman

[Olog-hai]

Expedia is buying rival online travel site Orbitz for approximately $1.33 billion, adding to the stable of brands it has snapped up recently in order to extend its reach and keep pace in the fiercely competitive travel-booking industry.

Expedia’s acquisition of Orbitz is its second major deal in the past month as the industry continues to consolidate. Expedia announced the $280 million acquisition of another rival, Travelocity, in late January. It also follows the company’s July announcement that it was buying Wotif.com for $658 million.

By bringing Orbitz into the fold, Expedia gains access to the Orbitz namesake brand, as well as brands like CheapTickets and HotelClub. Expedia’s portfolio already consists of nearly a dozen brands such as Hotels.com and Hotwire. …

[Blueflag]

Too bad. Expedia will ruin Orbitz.

[fatnotlazy]

I had bad experiences with Expedia, including a plane reservation that was no good. I won't use travel brokers.

[Biggirl]

Better to go direct to the airlines. These booking services really confuse you.

[fatnotlazy]

That's what I do. I have a friend who uses Orbitz, Travelocity and a slew of other brokers. She claims she gets a better deal than going through airline or hotel websites. But I checked a few of her good deals and every time I could get a much better price going through the airline or hotel.

Another thing I found out with Expedia was that bargain airfare often did not include taxes and booking fees. So if they advertise $200 roundtrip, you will find that by the time all the taxes and fees are added in, that $200 airfare was a heckuva lot more expensive than if you booked directly with the airline.

[Biggirl]

They are good to compare prices and that is it. Plus the big turn-off is that you are told to buy this fare because only x-number of seats are availible and then go to the airlines direct and see they have more then enough seats.

[corkoman]

Using the brokers is good for checking flight options and prices. After that go directly to the airline if there is ANY possibility of changes. The brokers charge so much for changes you are looking at losing the entire $$ and starting over.

The airlines will be more flexible and charge less for changes.

[Biggirl]

You got it, good for making comparisons in price and that is it. Better to do a direct purchease via the airline and also you can see a image of the seats and make a choice where you will sit.

[minnesota_bound]

Expect prices to go way up to pay for this.