Hotels.com Review: Is It Still Worth Booking in 2025?

Hotels.com Review: Is It Still Worth Booking in 2025?

Planning your next vacation or weekend getaway? Chances are, you’ve come across Hotels.com during your search. As one of the biggest names in the online travel space, Hotels.com has long been a go-to for travelers looking for easy hotel bookings and competitive prices. But is it still worth using in 2025?

Here’s an honest look at what Hotels.com offers — and whether it’s the right choice for your next trip.

🏨 What is Hotels.com?

Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking platform that allows users to search for and book hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and more across the globe. It's part of the Expedia Group, which also owns Expedia, Vrbo, and Orbitz.

The platform is known for:

• A massive inventory of properties worldwide

• Competitive pricing

• A user-friendly mobile app and website

• Rewards program (more on that below)

🌎 Why Travelers Love Hotels.com

✅ Wide Range of Choices

Hotels.com lists hundreds of thousands of properties in virtually every corner of the world — from luxury 5-star resorts to budget hostels and quirky boutique stays.

✅ Detailed Filters

Whether you're looking for free breakfast, pet-friendly hotels, or ocean views, Hotels.com’s filters make it easy to find exactly what you want.

✅ Real Guest Reviews

The site features millions of verified reviews from actual guests. That helps you avoid nasty surprises when you arrive at your destination.

✅ Solid Mobile App

Their app is smooth and functional — and sometimes offers mobile-exclusive deals.

💰 Hotels.com Rewards Program: Still Worth It?

Hotels.com used to have a straightforward rewards program: Stay 10 nights, get 1 free (based on the average value of those nights). In 2023, they replaced this with a new loyalty program called One Key, which integrates rewards across Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo.

With One Key:

• You earn OneKeyCash on eligible bookings (usually 2% for hotels, 0.2% for flights).

• You can use OneKeyCash like cash to pay for future bookings.

• Tiers like Silver, Gold, and Platinum offer extra perks, like free room upgrades and price drop protection.

Some users liked the old 10-nights-get-1 system better, but the new model offers more flexibility if you book across Expedia’s family of sites.

👎 Potential Downsides of Hotels.com

• Customer Service: Like many booking platforms, support can be hit-or-miss, especially when dealing with cancellations or refunds.

• Double-check prices: Sometimes booking directly with a hotel may get you better perks (like free breakfast or flexible cancellation).

• Fees: Always read the fine print for resort fees, taxes, and cancellation policies.

🧳 Tips for Booking with Hotels.com

1. Compare prices across platforms (including direct hotel websites).

2. Log in to your Hotels.com account to access secret prices.

   

3. Use filters smartly to avoid wasting time on listings that don’t meet your needs.

4. Read recent reviews for updated info, especially post-2020 when many hotels changed policies.

✈️ Is Hotels.com Right for You?

If you like booking with ease, having access to tons of property options, and earning some rewards on the side — Hotels.com is still a strong contender in 2025.

It’s especially helpful if:

• You travel frequently and want to build loyalty.

• You like bundling your bookings with flights, cars, or vacation rentals.

• You enjoy browsing a huge variety of accommodations before making your pick.

💼 Final Thoughts

Hotels.com continues to be a popular platform for travelers worldwide. While its new rewards system might not appeal to everyone, it still offers value, convenience, and plenty of options for booking your next stay.

If you're a casual traveler or someone who enjoys the occasional hotel getaway, it’s definitely worth keeping Hotels.com in your travel planning toolbox.

🛎️ Have you booked with Hotels.com recently? Share your experience in the comments below!

📜 Disclaimer

This website is an independent blog and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hotels.com or any of its parent companies. All opinions expressed are our own and based on personal research or experience. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a booking or purchase. This helps support the site and allows us to continue providing helpful travel content. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but we recommend verifying hotel details, availability, and pricing directly with the booking platform before making any reservations.