Expedia controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Court approves Expedia hotel advertising settlement
Settlement
A federal judge approved the class-action settlement involving Expedia after hotels alleged that Expedia's website falsely showed unaffiliated hotels as unavailable or sold out and redirected customers to partner hotels. The settlement includes restrictions on Expedia's availability messaging and advertising.
Source excerpt
On Friday, Judge Vince Chhabria of the Northern District of California issued an amended order approving the motion for attorney’s fees and the class-action settlement, thus ensuring that Expedia and its affiliates will no longer falsely advertise non-partnering or unaffiliated hotels as “sold out” or “unavailable” on its website and platform.
Previously, Buckeye Tree Lodge and Sequoia Village Inn sued Expedia in 2016 over claims that the online travel booking company used deceptive online ads targeting customers who searched for hotels that were not available on Expedia.
2020
COVID-19 cancellation and refund complaints
During the pandemic, customers complained that refunds for cancelled flights were delayed and that reaching Expedia support could require excessive waiting. The issue led to lawsuits and criticism of the company's handling of supplier-driven cancellations.
2020
Expedia faces class action over canceled-flight refunds
Lawsuit filed
In a class action lawsuit, Daniel Mahoney alleged that Expedia, a travel booking service, violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act by refusing to refund the price of his airline ticket after his flight was canceled. The suit was filed against Expedia over the refund dispute.
Daniel Mahoney filed a class action lawsuit against Expedia, alleging that the travel booking service violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act by refusing to refund the price of his airline ticket after his flight was canceled.
Source excerpt
Expedia has been hit with a class action lawsuit for refusing refunds for flights canceled over the coronavirus outbreak.
The class action lawsuit claims Expedia violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act by using "unfair or deceptive practices in trade or commerce."
Daniel Mahoney filed a lawsuit against Expedia after he claims the travel booking service violated the Washington Consumer Protection Act by refusing to refund the price of his airline ticket.
2019
Expedia and Orbitz reach Pennsylvania data breach settlement
Settlement
Pennsylvania's attorney general reached a settlement with Expedia and Orbitz following an investigation into a 2018 data breach. The settlement requires the companies to pay $110,000, including an $80,000 civil penalty. The filing alleges that Orbitz misrepresented safeguards in its privacy policy and failed to fully implement Expedia data-security policies.
Company response
Remediation — Expedia and Orbitz
Expedia and Orbitz have agreed to strengthen their security practices going forward by implementing a comprehensive information security program on the Orbitz website, conducting an annual comprehensive risk assessment, and developing a plan and program for designing, implementing, and operating safeguards.
Source excerpt
The office of Pennsylvania attorney general Josh Shapiro has reached a settlement with travel websites Orbitz and Expedia following an investigation into a 2018 data breach.
An investigation into the breach, carried out by Shapiro's office and led by Deputy Attorney General Timothy Murphy, found that a threat actor had used malware to target up to 880,000 payment cards around the world by compromising Orbitz's online travel booking portal.
Under the terms of the settlement, Expedia and Orbitz will pay $110,000, which includes an $80,000 civil penalty.
2016
Alleged misleading hotel advertising and trademark infringement
A California lawsuit brought by independent lodging businesses alleged that Expedia-related advertising implied that consumers could book properties with which Expedia had no relationship and inaccurately presented some properties as sold out. The case was settled in 2021 with commitments concerning advertising conduct.
Listings in Israeli settlements
Human-rights organizations and activists have criticized Expedia for offering accommodation in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, arguing that such listings can support activities considered unlawful under international law.