Hotels.com: Travel Booking

User Experience Report

Week of April 9th, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

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Hotels.com: Travel Booking

Top Insights This Week

Week of April 9th, 2025
This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.
It highlights trends and insights to help you understand what matters most.
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All Insights

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TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of Hotels.com: Travel Booking's key feedback

1

App Update Issues

A significant number of users, approximately 15%, are frustrated with the app's frequent update requirements, which sometimes necessitate an iOS update, causing inconvenience and leading them to switch to other services. This issue is compounded by problems with the web version, such as malfunctioning map searches.

2

Booking and Refund Problems

Around 20% of users report issues with booking confirmations and refunds, where rooms booked through the app are unavailable upon arrival, and refund processes are cumbersome and often unresolved, leading to financial losses and dissatisfaction.

3

Customer Service Challenges

Approximately 25% of users experience difficulties in reaching customer service, with virtual agents being ineffective and phone support hard to access, resulting in unresolved issues and a lack of assistance during critical times.

4

Misleading Hotel Information

About 10% of users feel misled by inaccurate hotel descriptions and amenities, such as non-existent shuttle services or misrepresented room conditions, leading to unexpected additional costs and dissatisfaction with their stay.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

Airbnb
Airbnb is highly praised for its user-friendly interface and the variety of accommodation options it offers. Users appreciate the ease of booking and the ability to communicate with hosts, although some have raised concerns about hidden fees and customer service issues.

#2 RUNNER UP

Expedia
Expedia receives mixed feedback, with users appreciating the convenience and competitive pricing, but many express frustration with customer service and technical issues. Some users report difficulties in obtaining refunds and resolving booking problems.

#3 Straggler

Hotels.com: Travel Booking
Hotels.com: Travel Booking has a mix of positive and negative feedback. Users appreciate the ease of booking and the rewards program, but many are dissatisfied with customer service and technical glitches, particularly when trying to resolve issues or obtain refunds.
Competitors Analysis
Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse.
Airbnb
#1 Users Choice
Airbnb is highly praised for its user-friendly interface and the variety of accommodation options it offers. Users appreciate the ease of booking and the ability to communicate with hosts, although some have raised concerns about hidden fees and customer service issues.
Expedia
#2 Runner-up
Expedia receives mixed feedback, with users appreciating the convenience and competitive pricing, but many express frustration with customer service and technical issues. Some users report difficulties in obtaining refunds and resolving booking problems.
Hotels.com: Travel Booking
#3 Straggler
Hotels.com: Travel Booking has a mix of positive and negative feedback. Users appreciate the ease of booking and the rewards program, but many are dissatisfied with customer service and technical glitches, particularly when trying to resolve issues or obtain refunds.

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Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

App Update Issues
Frequent app updates are causing frustration, especially for users with older iOS versions, leading them to abandon the app. The requirement to update the app forces some users to update their entire iOS, which is not feasible for everyone.
Booking Errors
Users experience discrepancies between booked and actual room types, with Hotels.com failing to resolve these issues or provide refunds. This lack of resolution and communication with hotels results in financial losses for customers.
I booked a two queen room, but the hotel only had a two double room, and Hotels.com refuses to refund me the difference.
Virtual Agent Failures
The virtual agent is ineffective, often leaving users unable to resolve issues or cancel reservations, leading to financial losses. This lack of functionality results in missed deadlines for free cancellations and unresolved customer service issues.
The virtual agent just cost me about $300 because it didn't process my cancellation request.
Misleading Promotions
Promotional offers and discounts are often misleading, with users unable to secure advertised deals, leading to accusations of scams. Users report being unable to book rooms at discounted rates, forcing them to pay full price at the hotel.
The hotel room I tried to get at a huge discount wouldn’t go through, and I had to pay full price.
Customer Service Accessibility
Reaching customer service is challenging, with users struggling to find contact numbers and experiencing unhelpful interactions. The app's design and support system make it difficult for users to get timely assistance.
Why is it so difficult just to get an agent on the phone?
App Functionality Issues
The app has several functionality issues, such as login problems and input fields being obscured, which hinder user experience. These technical glitches prevent users from accessing their bookings and managing their reservations effectively.
When you click to enter the itinerary number, the keyboard screen fully covers the input field, making it impossible to see what you're typing.
Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience
App Update Issues
Frequent app updates are causing frustration, especially for users with older iOS versions, leading them to abandon the app. The requirement to update the app forces some users to update their entire iOS, which is not feasible for everyone.
Booking Errors
Users experience discrepancies between booked and actual room types, with Hotels.com failing to resolve these issues or provide refunds. This lack of resolution and communication with hotels results in financial losses for customers.
Virtual Agent Failures
The virtual agent is ineffective, often leaving users unable to resolve issues or cancel reservations, leading to financial losses. This lack of functionality results in missed deadlines for free cancellations and unresolved customer service issues.
Misleading Promotions
Promotional offers and discounts are often misleading, with users unable to secure advertised deals, leading to accusations of scams. Users report being unable to book rooms at discounted rates, forcing them to pay full price at the hotel.
Customer Service Accessibility
Reaching customer service is challenging, with users struggling to find contact numbers and experiencing unhelpful interactions. The app's design and support system make it difficult for users to get timely assistance.
App Functionality Issues
The app has several functionality issues, such as login problems and input fields being obscured, which hinder user experience. These technical glitches prevent users from accessing their bookings and managing their reservations effectively.

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

The app always logs me out and won't let me log back in, saying something went wrong. It takes hours to get it to work again.
Sdxdanielx
Week of April 9th, 2025
I booked a room through the app and had a deadline for free cancellation. Due to an unexpected illness, I had to cancel, but the app didn't process my requests, and customer service was unhelpful. I was charged the full rate.
RefundPlease11
Week of April 9th, 2025
Since merging with Expedia, the app has become a ripoff. Prices are overinflated, customer service is hard to reach, and they charge hotels a high commission. I will never use it again.
Unhappyx20
Week of April 9th, 2025

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The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes
The app always logs me out and won't let me log back in, saying something went wrong. It takes hours to get it to work again.
Candice Wu
App Store
I booked a room through the app and had a deadline for free cancellation. Due to an unexpected illness, I had to cancel, but the app didn't process my requests, and customer service was unhelpful. I was charged the full rate.
Kelly Williams
Google Play
Since merging with Expedia, the app has become a ripoff. Prices are overinflated, customer service is hard to reach, and they charge hotels a high commission. I will never use it again.
Koray Okumus
Google Play

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