
Orbitz is a search engine and online travel agency that makes it easy to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities and travel packages. It is a legitimate platform that can help you score some great travel savings, but there are some potential downsides.
Orbitz is a third-party booking website, which means there is a possibility of your reservation getting lost in the system. It is recommended that you verify your reservation with the hotel, airline or travel brand before your trip begins. Orbitz also has limited customer service, so it may only provide minimal assistance.
Orbitz offers a rewards program called Orbucks, which allows you to earn rewards on eligible bookings. However, the biggest limitation is that Orbucks can only be redeemed for hotel stays.
Overall, Orbitz can be a good tool for making sure you're getting the best deal, but it is important to consider the pros and cons before making a reservation.
What You'll Learn
- Orbitz is a search engine and an online travel agency that makes it easy to locate, sort and filter travel components
- Orbitz has a rewards program called Orbitz Rewards
- Orbitz has no shortage of promo codes
- Orbitz allows you to cancel a flight for a refund according to the Department of Transportation-regulated 24-hour cancellation policy
- Orbitz acts as a facilitator between the customer and the travel provider
Orbitz is a search engine and an online travel agency that makes it easy to locate, sort and filter travel components
Orbitz is a search engine and an online travel agency (OTA) that makes it easy to locate, sort and filter travel components. It offers an in-house loyalty program, strong search functionality, low prices, and occasional discounts. Orbitz allows you to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, activities, cruises, rental cars, and more.
Pros of Booking with Orbitz
- Rewards program: Orbitz Rewards is free to join and you can earn Orbucks on most travel purchases. Orbucks can be redeemed for hotel stays with no blackout dates.
- Promo codes: Orbitz offers a variety of promo codes that can save you money on your bookings.
- Airline miles: Even if you book a flight through Orbitz, you can still add your frequent flyer number and earn rewards.
- Cancellation and changes: Orbitz allows you to cancel or change a reservation according to the travel provider's policy, and it follows the Department of Transportation-regulated 24-hour cancellation policy for flights.
- Travel packages: Booking a travel package (e.g., car rental, hotel, and flights) through Orbitz can save you money on the total cost of your trip.
Cons of Booking with Orbitz
- Rewards expiration: Orbucks expire after one year, and there is no way to extend their expiration date.
- Prepayment required for promo codes: To use a promo code, you must prepay for your reservation, and the offer usually doesn't apply to multi-room bookings or all properties.
- No hotel elite benefits: Bookings made through Orbitz are considered third-party bookings, so you won't receive elite night credits or benefits associated with your hotel status tier.
- Changes and cancellations: For most airlines, you must go through Orbitz customer service to change or cancel a booking. For low-cost airlines (e.g., Frontier, Spirit, or Ryanair), you must contact the airline directly.
- Lack of flexibility with travel packages: Travel packages offered by Orbitz are less flexible than separate bookings, as the options are more limited.
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Orbitz has a rewards program called Orbitz Rewards
Orbitz Rewards has three elite status tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Silver is the entry-level tier and offers members-only pricing. Gold status is achieved after staying 4 nights per year in hotels booked through Orbitz and offers perks such as free Wi-Fi and breakfast at VIP Access properties. Platinum status is granted after 12 nights per year and includes benefits such as reimbursements for seat upgrades, bag fees, and TSA PreCheck enrollment, as well as room upgrades and early check-in at VIP Access properties.
It's important to note that Orbucks expire after one year and cannot be extended by earning additional rewards. Additionally, Orbitz Rewards may not be as valuable as hotel loyalty programs, as you won't earn hotel loyalty points, status, or receive status benefits when booking through Orbitz.
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Orbitz has no shortage of promo codes
Orbitz Rewards Program
Orbitz has a rewards program that is free to join and offers various benefits. Members can earn Orbucks on eligible bookings, which can be redeemed for future hotel stays. The program offers Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers, with perks such as VIP customer support, members-only pricing, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and TSA PreCheck enrollment. You can also earn Orbucks by referring friends, with a $25 bonus for each referral.
Promo Codes for Hotels
Orbitz frequently offers promo codes for discounts on hotel bookings. These codes can be for a percentage discount, such as 8%, 10%, or 15% off, or a specific amount, like $50 off. Some codes are for specific locations, such as Chicago, Orlando, Miami, Cancun, or Honolulu. There are also codes for insider members, which can offer discounts of over 10%.
App-Exclusive Promo Codes
Orbitz often provides exclusive promo codes and deals for bookings made through their mobile app. By booking through the app, you can also earn extra Orbucks and save up to 4% on your reservation compared to booking on the website.
Last-Minute Deals
If you're flexible with your travel plans, you can take advantage of Orbitz's last-minute deals. They offer discounts of up to 25% on hotel stays, vacation packages, and flights. You can find these deals on their website or app, and they are a great way to save money on spontaneous trips.
Vacation Packages
Booking a vacation package that combines flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities can result in significant savings. Orbitz offers promo codes specifically for these packages, and you can find deals $499 and under. This is a convenient way to plan your trip and save money by bundling your travel needs.
Other Ways to Save
In addition to promo codes, Orbitz offers other ways to save money on your bookings. They provide discounted rates for group bookings and off-peak travel seasons. You can also save by bundling activities and car rentals with your flight and hotel bookings. Orbitz also has a price guarantee, ensuring that you get the best prices for your bookings.
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Orbitz allows you to cancel a flight for a refund according to the Department of Transportation-regulated 24-hour cancellation policy
Orbitz is a third-party online travel agency that allows users to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities, and travel packages. It is a legitimate platform owned by Expedia and is safe to use. However, it has some potential drawbacks.
One advantage of booking through Orbitz is the ability to cancel a flight and receive a refund within 24 hours of making the reservation. This is in accordance with the Department of Transportation's 24-hour cancellation policy, which applies to all airlines flying in the US, including international carriers. The policy states that a full refund must be issued if the reservation is cancelled within one day of booking, as long as it is done by 10 pm the day after the purchase and the flight is more than seven days away. This policy is useful for travellers looking for the best deals or those who want to book a flight deal that might soon disappear.
To cancel a flight on Orbitz, users can follow these steps:
- Log into their Orbitz account
- Click on "My Trips"
- Enter the email address used to book the flight and the booking number
- Click on the trip they wish to cancel
- Follow the instructions provided by Orbitz
While Orbitz allows users to cancel flights and receive a refund within 24 hours, it is important to note that this policy only applies to certain bookings. For example, the 24-hour cancellation policy does not apply to reservations made less than seven days before the flight's departure date. Additionally, Orbitz may not be able to process cancellations for certain airlines, and users may need to contact the airline directly.
In summary, Orbitz offers a convenient way to book travel arrangements and provides users with the flexibility to cancel flights and receive refunds within 24 hours of booking, as long as certain conditions are met. However, it is always important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any booking and be aware of potential limitations and fees associated with third-party booking websites.
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Orbitz acts as a facilitator between the customer and the travel provider
Orbitz is an online travel agency (OTA) that acts as a facilitator between the customer and the travel provider. This means that when you book through Orbitz, you are not booking directly with the travel brand. While this can be a convenient way to compare and book travel, there are some potential downsides to using a third-party booking site.
One downside is that there is a possibility of your reservation getting lost in the system. It is recommended that you call and verify your reservation with the hotel, airline, or travel brand before your trip begins to ensure that your reservation will be honoured. Additionally, customer service may be limited when booking through a third party. Orbitz may only be able to provide minimal assistance, and you may need to go through them rather than dealing directly with the travel provider if you have any issues or need to make changes to your booking.
Another thing to consider when booking through Orbitz is that there is no guarantee that you will earn points or miles through your favourite hotel, airline, or rental car company loyalty programs. In some cases, you may still be able to earn rewards by supplying your loyalty program details, but it is recommended that you check with your selected loyalty program before booking.
Overall, Orbitz can be a convenient way to book travel, but it is important to be aware of the potential limitations and drawbacks of using a third-party booking site.
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Frequently asked questions
Orbitz is a legitimate travel site, and it is owned by Expedia, which also owns Hotels.com, VRBO, Trivago, etc.
Orbitz has a rewards program called Orbitz Rewards, which is free to join. It also has a lot of promo codes and offers discounts on hotel stays. You can also earn airline miles even if you book a flight through Orbitz.
Orbitz is a third-party booking website, so there is a possibility of your reservation getting lost in the system. The customer service is also lacking, and there are limited rewards.