Expedia
 Expedia.com logo | |
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
Type of site | Travel agency Metasearch engine |
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Expedia Group |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Yes |
| Launched | October 22, 1996 |
| Current status | Active |
Expedia Inc. is an online travel agency owned by Expedia Group, based in Seattle.[1] The website and mobile app can be used to book airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, cruise ships, and vacation packages. Expedia.com was launched on October 22, 1996 by Microsoft.[2]
History
Sponsorships
Starting the 2018-21 cycle, Expedia Group became the first-ever global sponsor of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup as Expedia extended to another season until 2024, but downgraded to the regional basis which it focuses to the U.S. market only starting in 2022–23 season as Hotels.com ended the sponsorship after 2021-22 season.[3]
Starting the pandemic-hit 2020-21 season, Expedia struck the deal with the 2020 English champions, Liverpool F.C. as a global sponsor of the website in 3 seasons until 2023.
In July 2021, Expedia became Wrexham A.F.C.'s shirt back sponsor.[4]
Criticism and legal issues
Delays in refunds of flights cancelled due to COVID-19
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, customers complained regarding the process to get refunds for cancelled flights. Customers complained of excessively long call times and being unable to get through to a representative.[5] This led to many lawsuits.[6][7]
Involvement in Israeli settlements
On February 12, 2020, Expedia Group was included on a list of companies operating in West Bank settlements involved in activities that "raised particular human rights concerns" published by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The company was categorized under "the provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements".[8][9]
False advertising and trademark violation
In August 2016, Buckeye Tree Lodge and Sequoia Village Inn, LLC filed a class-action lawsuit in California accusing the company and its partners of violating trademark rights of numerous independent hotel and motel establishments by running advertising implying that consumers could book reservations for those hotels on Expedia even though Expedia had no relationship with those hotels, in violation of the Lanham Act, and also falsely noting that hotels with which the company had no relationship were "sold out".[10] In April 2021, the lawsuit was settled and the company promised not to engage in false advertising.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Look inside the new Expedia HQ in Seattle and company's commuting policy". KING-TV. October 8, 2019.
- ^ "Microsoft Expedia Travel Services Debuts on the Web". Microsoft. October 22, 1996.
- ^ "Expedia Group extends UEFA Champions League partnership" (Press release). Nyon: UEFA. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "COMMERCIAL | WREXHAM AFC EMBARKS ON A JOURNEY WITH EXPEDIA". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. July 14, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Ulrich, Todd (February 5, 2021). "Consumers grow frustrated with Expedia over COVID-19 refunds". WFTV.
- ^ "Traveler sues Expedia for refusing refunds on canceled flights during COVID-19 pandemic". USA Today. September 9, 2020.
- ^ RENDA, MATTHEW (August 19, 2016). "Hotels Accuse Expedia, Orbitz of Brazen Deceit". Courthouse News Service.
- ^ "UN rights office issues report on business activities related to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. February 12, 2020.
- ^ "Database of all business enterprises involved in certain activities relating to Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank (A/HRC/43/71)". ReliefWeb. February 14, 2020.
- ^ "Buckeye Tree Lodge and Sequoia Village Inn, LLC v. Expedia, Inc. et al". Justia. August 17, 2016.
- ^ IOVINO, NICHOLAS (April 9, 2021). "Expedia Settles False Advertising Class Action With Hotels". Courthouse News Service.
Further reading
- Alexander, Todd (2012). Everyday Internet at Any Age. Hachette UK. Chapter 8. ISBN 978-0-7336-2971-6. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- Barr, Alistair (January 21, 2014). "Expedia hit by big drop in Google search traffic". USA Today. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- Tims, Anna (March 29, 2014). "Expedia needs to speed up £2,500 refund for flights". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
