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Is Expedia Travel Insurance Worth the Cost? A Comprehensive Review

Travel2 years ago
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If you are a traveler on the look out for a dream destination bargain in 2023, then checking deals on discount travel websites is a great idea. With plenty of discounted hotel rooms, cheap flights, and last-minute bargain bookings available, there are lots of opportunities to cut the cost of a vacation this year.

One of the most popular and well-known third-party travel websites is Expedia. This travel search engine helps you to find great discounts and deals across every aspect of your vacation, including travel insurance!

You can find the most competitive prices on flights and hotels and even purchase your travel insurance and car rentals on the same site. Streamlining your booking process and saving you dollars in the process. You’ll even be able to earn more points to put towards future travel.

But before you start booking with online travel agencies (OTAs), like Expedia, it is important you know the pros and cons. Here are the factors to consider before you head to the Expedia website when purchasing trip insurance and travel.

Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card

Best for Travel

Intro offer

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Annual Fee

$95.00

Recommended Credit

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15,000

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Pros and Cons of Using Expedia to Book Your Travel and Insurance

Here is a breakdown of all of the factors and features you need to consider when deciding whether Expedia Travel is the right website for you.

 

Pros of using this Online Travel Website

Add Travel Cancellation Insurance When Booking Your Flights

You can save time and stress by arranging your travel insurance at the same time as you book your flights and hotels. Using Expedia you can book insurance on flight cancellations, hotel bookings, medical emergencies, and car rentals with AIG coverage.

 

Lots of Last Minute Deals, Sales, and Discounts

One of the most attractive aspects of booking with Expedia is that you will be presented with a wide variety of travel discounts and deals.

You can head to the Expedia Deals Page and Expedia Last Minute Deals pages to make sure you get access to the very best prices on last-minute travel. You can save up to 70% by being flexible about your destinations and dates and snapping up travel offers using these pages.

 

You Can Filter Your Search to “Fully Refundable” Packages

When considering travel plans, dealing with cancellation fees for separate flights, car rentals, and hotels booked through a third-party website can be notoriously tricky. However, by using the "Fully Refundable" filter, you can ensure that you are only presented with options that have flexible return policies, minimizing the risk of incurring a cancellation fee.

 

Book All Aspects of Your Travel in a Bundle

Expedia also offers bundle deals in travel bookings, allowing you to save time and money in booking several important aspects of your travel at the same time. For example, you might be able to book your flight, International flights, hotel room, and tickets to a local attraction in one fell swoop and save an average of 10% while doing so.

 

Earn Travel Rewards Credit Card Points When Booking On The Website

Booking on Expedia counts as travel spending, so if your credit cards rewards you with extra points for travel, this is a prime opportunity to top up your air miles.

 

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You Can Pay for Your Travel In Instalments

If you want to get started on finding and securing your booking, but don’t have all of the fund yet, then you can make smaller installment payments towards you travel. Using the finance firm Affirm, you can apply for credit and pay for your vacation in monthly installments.

 

Book Your Travel in Stages and Compare Prices

With Expedia, travel companies, air tickets, and other travel essentials can be conveniently booked in stages. This feature proves to be helpful as it allows you to easily compare and contrast prices available on the website with different offers on competing websites. Whether you're looking for flights, International or Domestic flights, hotels, car rentals, or travel insurance, Expedia offers a user-friendly platform to plan and book your entire trip with ease.

 

Cons of Using the Expedia Website

 

Travel Insurance from other Providers May be Cheaper.

Although you can conveniently book you travel insurance on Expedia, you may find better deals from other companies that are not partners on the website. You may be able to get cheaper trip insurance on trip interruption, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and coverage if you get sick or inured from other travel insurance companies.

If you have a travel rewards credit card, you should also check to see if travel insurance, medical expenses coverage, and car rental coverage is included in your card membership. In this case you can save money by opting out of the insurance available on Expedia entirely and using the trip protection that your credit cards offer.

 

You May Be Able to Get Better Deals Elsewhere

You shouldn’t naturally assume that Expedia is showing you the lowest possible prices available. You may sometimes be able to snag cheaper prices on flights and hotels by booking directly with providers.

So, before you book anything, make sure to check using other sites such as Google Travel, and airline websites. Only then can you ensure that your trip costs are as low as they can possibly be.

 

Cancellation Policies on the Website can be Confusing.

Trip Cancellation Insurance can help alleviate the confusion surrounding cancellation policies on various websites.

Canceling your flight within 24 hours of booking on Expedia is a relatively straightforward process, and you can modify or cancel your reservation without incurring any additional fees during this window.

On the other hand, when dealing with separate providers for hotel stays, car rentals, and insurance, the cancellation process can become more complex. You may encounter cancellation fees from each provider, and there might be additional charges imposed by Expedia as well. In such situations, having Trip Cancellation Insurance can be beneficial, as it can provide coverage for eligible cancellation costs, saving you from potential financial burdens. It is essential to review the specific terms and coverage of the insurance policy to understand the extent of protection it offers in case of cancellations.

 

Travel Rewards and Loyalty Points from Airlines are Usually Worth More

Although you can collect travel credit points towards future travel bookings on Expedia, you will usually find that the points earned when booking with airlines and hotels will have more per dollar value. You’ll also find that.

And if you manage to earn elite status with a hotel or airline with your points, you will generally be able to enjoy more perks and benefits than those available with Expedia VIP access.

 

Takeaway - Is Expedia Travel Insurance Worth the Cost? A Comprehensive Review

If you do your research, are flexible with your dates and destinations, and are prepared to double-check prices across other sites – then Expedia could be the perfect place to start searching for cheaper travel.

The website streamlines both the searching and booking process by presenting you with various deals on flights, hotel rooms, and car rentals. And you can even access bundle deals to make book discounted hotels, flights, and venue tickets all at once. Adding on your trip insurance can save your further time and inconvenience.

But, before you use Expedia, make sure not to assume that Expedia is presenting you with the best deals. Compare and contrast offers from other providers before confirming to make sure you can access the best travel insurance company prices in 2023.

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