Gone are the days when we used to book tickets or hotels by going physically to the booking centers. You can now easily book your tickets or hotel to any part of the world with a few simple clicks. There are many online booking services available at the moment. One of them is TripAdvisor!
TripAdvisor is a widely recognized and influential travel platform that provides a vast range of services to travelers worldwide. Founded in February 2000 by Stephen Kaufer, the company quickly grew into a leading travel website, offering comprehensive travel-related information, reviews, and recommendations from travelers themselves.
Now, what are some alternatives to TripAdvisor?
Who are the competitors of TripAdvisor?
In this article, I am to explore the top 5 competitors of TripAdvisor and provide you with detailed reviews of each one of them.
However, before we begin, here is a quick overview of TripAdvisor
Stephen Kaufer and Langley Steinert | |
Needham, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
Worldwide | |
Travel services | |
3000+ | |
TripAdvisor |
You might also want to read: How Airbnb Makes Money: Business Model Of Airbnb!
Top 5 Competitors Of TripAdvisor
There are several competitors to TripAdvisor in the online travel industry. While TripAdvisor remains one of the most popular and established travel platforms, competition in this space is fierce, with various companies offering similar services and features.
Here are the top 5 companies competing directly with TripAdvisor!
Booking.com
Booking.com is one of the world’s largest and most popular online travel agencies. Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the company is part of Booking Holdings Inc., which also owns other well-known travel platforms like Agoda, Priceline, and Kayak.
Booking.com offers a comprehensive range of travel-related services, with its primary focus on accommodations. The platform allows users to search and book hotels, vacation rentals, apartments, hostels, and other types of accommodations in destinations around the globe.
Pros Of Booking.com
Easy Cancellation Policies
The platform offers a no-questions-asked cancellation policy on all its bookings. It allows the user to easily manage the bookings and travel plans.
Affordable
The pricing offered on this platform is usually on the affordable end compared to some other platforms. So, if you are tight on your budget, you should visit this platform and see if you are able to get some deals.
Amazing user-friendly interface
The entire platform is extremely user-friendly. The users do not find such problems while navigating around. Moreover, the filters are quite specific to help you book the right items.
Cons Of Booking.com
Poor Customer Service
Many users have praised the platform for the above-mentioned reasons. However, the same users observed poor customer service when needed. Although this may not be the case for everyone, still many users think the customer service could be improved.
Misleading Listings In Some Exception Cases
Although Booking.com maintains robust security and verification, some users have encountered misleading property listings. While the platform provides reimbursements in such instances, it can still affect the overall user experience.
Expedia.com
Expedia.com is a well-known and highly regarded online travel agency that provides a wide range of travel-related services. Founded in 1996 as a division of Microsoft, Expedia has grown into one of the world’s leading travel platforms, offering various options for travelers to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals, cruises, and more.
As an online travel agency, Expedia allows users to compare and book travel services from different providers in one place. The platform’s user-friendly interface and robust search filters make it easy for travelers to find and reserve the best deals for their travel needs.
Pros Of Expedia.com
Cheaper Bookings
Expedia claims to offer savings of approximately 43% compared to traditional travel agents, making it a cost-effective option for travelers. The Expedia app also allows for easy booking of affordable flights and hotels on the go.
Accessible Payment Plans
Expedia offers the convenience of paying for bookings in monthly installments, enabling budget-conscious travelers to plan their dream vacations without a heavy upfront payment.
Trip Insurance
As a one-stop travel platform, Expedia provides trip insurance options for cancellations, adding an extra layer of security to your travel plans. The insurance plans are backed by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company, ensuring reliability.
Last-Minute Bookings
For spontaneous travelers, Expedia offers attractive deals on flights and hotels that can be booked as late as 14 days before the trip, allowing for flexible and spontaneous vacation planning.
Cons Of Expedia.com
Poor Cancellation Policies
Canceling bookings on Expedia can be challenging, especially after the 24-hour confirmation window. If you haven’t purchased insurance from the platform, you may incur cancellation fees beyond the initial 24-hour period. Additionally, meeting hotel or flight cancellation deadlines can be difficult, leading to additional fees.
High Number of Ads per Page
The Expedia website is known for its excessive number of ads, making navigation cumbersome and potentially confusing users with legitimate deals and advertisements.
Trip Insurance
As a one-stop travel platform, Expedia provides trip insurance options for cancellations, adding an extra layer of security to your travel plans. The insurance plans are backed by Transamerica Casualty Insurance Company, ensuring reliability.
Poor Customer Support
Expedia’s customer support has received criticism for its delayed response times, which can be frustrating for travelers seeking immediate assistance during the booking process.
Kayak.com
Kayak.com is a popular travel search engine and metasearch platform that helps travelers find the best deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. Founded in 2004, Kayak quickly gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search capabilities.
One of the key features of Kayak is its ability to aggregate information from hundreds of travel websites and airlines, providing users with a wide range of options to choose from. It allows users to compare prices, flight durations, layovers, and other important details in one place, saving time and effort.
Pros Of Kayak.com
Search Index For Cheaper Bookings
Kayak is a travel search engine that efficiently locates the most affordable prices on the internet with its user-friendly search and navigation tools. Unlike conventional travel websites, Kayak acts as a metasearch platform, offering a comprehensive overview of prices from various websites. What sets it apart is its smart feature of highlighting the lowest price in green, making it effortlessly accessible for users. With Kayak, travelers can easily compare prices across different sources, enabling them to secure the best deals for their travel needs. Its straightforward approach and transparency make it an excellent choice for finding budget-friendly options for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
Quick Trip Planning Experience
When it comes to trip planning, Kayak simplifies the process and saves valuable time by offering a centralized platform for all travel needs. Instead of visiting multiple websites, users can access everything from flights and hotels to car rentals in one place. This convenient one-stop-shop approach allows travelers to compare prices for various travel components without the hassle of navigating through numerous sites. With its comprehensive features, Kayak becomes a top choice for planning trips, providing a seamless experience and making it one of the best websites for efficient and hassle-free travel arrangements.
Additional Tools For Trip Planning
Kayak’s website offers several convenient tools to streamline trip planning. The price monitoring tool enables users to track prices over time, ensuring they secure the best deals for their travel needs. Another valuable feature is the itinerary upload tool, which allows users to input their entire travel plan, including accommodations. This feature helps Kayak provide personalized deals and recommendations based on the user’s specific itinerary. Additionally, the website provides a search-saving feature, allowing users to save their search preferences and results, eliminating the need to start from scratch with each search.
Cons Of Kayak.com
No Lowest Price Guarantee
While Kayak endeavors to assist users in finding the lowest prices, they do not provide an absolute guarantee. As a meta-travel search engine, Kayak is not a booking site, and therefore, they do not assume liability if users find cheaper options on alternative flight search websites. However, this does not diminish the practicality of the Kayak website. The platform remains effective in providing useful tools for travel planning, but it may not always offer conclusive results.
Price fluctuations
Occasionally, Kayak’s displayed prices might not be entirely up-to-date, resulting in discrepancies when users are redirected to the booking website. Such discrepancies could arise due to dynamic changes in prices by airlines, hotels, or other travel providers. As a meta-search engine, Kayak aggregates information from various sources, and although they strive to provide real-time data, there can be instances when the information is not instantly updated. It is essential for users to double-check the prices and availability directly on the booking website to ensure accuracy before finalizing their travel plans.
MakeMyTrip.com
MakeMyTrip is a prominent online travel company based in India, offering a wide range of travel-related services to customers. Founded in 2000, it has become one of the leading players in the Indian travel industry. MakeMyTrip provides services such as flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, bus bookings, and train tickets. The platform allows users to plan and book their entire trip conveniently through its user-friendly website and mobile app.
With its extensive network of airlines, hotels, and travel partners, MakeMyTrip has positioned itself as a go-to platform for travelers in India, catering to various travel preferences and budgets. The company’s commitment to innovation, technology, and customer satisfaction has contributed to its popularity and success in the highly competitive travel industry.
Pros Of MakeMyTrip.com
Extensive Travel Options
MakeMyTrip provides a wide range of travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, bus and train bookings, and car rentals, making it a one-stop platform for all travel needs.
Multiple Payment Options
The platform offers multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards, net banking, and mobile wallets, providing convenience and flexibility to users.
Loyalty Programs
MakeMyTrip offers loyalty programs and reward points to frequent users, providing additional benefits and incentives for future bookings. These programs enhance the overall user experience and encourage repeat bookings on the platform.
Cons Of MakeMyTrip.com
Limited International Booking Options
While MakeMyTrip covers international travel, the range of international options may not be as extensive as other specialized international travel websites.
Price Discrepancies
Prices displayed on the website may not always be up-to-date, leading to discrepancies when redirected to the booking website. This can result in confusion and inconvenience for users.
Extra And Hidden Fees
Some users have reported hidden fees and additional charges during the booking process, which can lead to unexpected costs. Although this is not the case on every booking, you can still encounter a price surge when you are finally booking your travel.
Trip.com
Trip.com, formerly known as Ctrip, is a leading online travel agency based in China and one of the largest travel platforms in the world. Founded in 1999, Trip.com offers a wide range of travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, vacation packages, train tickets, and car rentals. It serves millions of travelers globally and has a vast network of partner airlines, hotels, and other travel providers.
In addition to its online platform, Trip.com has a mobile app that provides travelers with on-the-go access to travel services, making it easier to plan and manage trips anytime, anywhere. The app also offers exclusive mobile-only deals and promotions.
Pros Of Trip.com
Extensive Range Of Travel Options
Trip.com provides an extensive range of hotels and airlines, all conveniently available in one place. Additionally, with over two decades of operation, the company’s long-standing presence serves as a testament to its authenticity and credibility.
User-Centric Cancellation Policies
Trip.com offers user-centric cancellation policies that allow you to change or cancel flights, subject to the airline’s specific cancellation rules. For fully refundable flights, you can avoid cancellation fees. You have the option to request a refund online, and if your flight ticket was issued more than seven days before the departure date, you can cancel it within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund. Additionally, in the event of airline flight cancellations after flight confirmation, you are entitled to a full refund along with additional compensation.
Rewards And Loyalty Programs
Trip.com offers a comprehensive rewards and loyalty program called “Trip Coins.” As a member, you can earn Trip Coins by booking flights, hotels, train tickets, and car rentals through the platform. Additionally, writing hotel or flight reviews can also earn you Trip Coins. These accumulated Trip Coins can then be used to enjoy discounts on your future bookings.
Cons Of Trip.com
Limited Payment Options
Trip.com has a somewhat limited range of payment options, which may be a drawback for some users. Notably, it does not accept Discover cards, and the only digital wallet accepted is ApplePay. Additionally, popular buy now, pay later options like Afterpay or Affirm are not available as payment methods on the platform.
Not Registered With the “Better Business Bureau”
Trip.com is not listed as a registered business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Nonetheless, it appears that a majority of the reported complaints have been resolved satisfactorily. Despite not being registered with BBB, the company seems to have addressed and resolved issues raised by customers, demonstrating a commitment to resolving concerns and providing satisfactory customer service.
Bottom Line
TripAdvisor is a prominent travel platform that offers a wide range of services for travelers, including comprehensive travel-related information, reviews, and recommendations from fellow travelers. The platform is widely recognized and influential, providing users with an extensive network of hotels and airlines for convenient booking.
In this article, the top five competitors of TripAdvisor are explored in detail. These competitors include Booking.com, Expedia.com, Kayak.com, MakeMyTrip.com, and Trip.com. Each of these companies offers various travel-related services and features, giving travelers diverse options for planning and booking their trips.
Booking.com, part of Booking Holdings Inc., focuses primarily on accommodations and offers easy cancellation policies and an affordable pricing range. However, some users have experienced issues with customer service and misleading property listings.
Expedia.com, a well-known online travel agency, provides a wide range of travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, and vacation packages. While it offers cheaper bookings, last-minute deals, and payment plans, users have reported challenges with cancellations, high ad clutter, and delayed customer support.
Kayak.com serves as a metasearch platform, aggregating information from various websites to present users with affordable prices and a user-friendly interface. While Kayak offers helpful trip planning tools, it does not guarantee the lowest prices and may occasionally have outdated price information.
MakeMyTrip.com is a leading travel company based in India, offering a variety of travel-related services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, and holiday packages. Users appreciate the multiple payment options and loyalty programs, but some have encountered limited international booking options and price discrepancies.
Trip.com, previously known as Ctrip, is a prominent online travel agency based in China. With a vast range of travel services, it offers user-centric cancellation policies and rewards programs. However, the limited payment options and absence from the Better Business Bureau may be notable drawbacks for some users.
Overall, each competitor has its strengths and weaknesses, providing travelers with diverse options for planning and booking their trips. TripAdvisor remains a reputable and valuable resource for travelers, and while competition is fierce, the platform continues to serve as a popular choice for its comprehensive travel-related information and recommendations.