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Boost Your Short-Term Rental Success: The Ultimate Booking.com vs Expedia Guide
Booking.com and Expedia are two of the biggest booking sites, each offering a vast global reach, complementary travel services to help attract even more customers, and features designed to simplify the listing and management process for hosts.
The fact that they’re so similar makes it harder to choose on which of one of the sites you want to start or try next. However, there are a few key differences as this blog post will highlight that will impact your hosting experience and how much money you make.
Understanding Booking.com
History and Overview of Booking.com
Booking.com, part of Booking Holdings, has established itself as a preeminent player in the online travel industry since its inception in 1996. Based in Amsterdam, the company has grown to become more than just a hotel website or booking site.
It is a comprehensive platform where users can compare prices of a wide array of travel-related services available worldwide, including accommodation, flights, rental cars, and more. Not just limited to particular hotels, Booking.com’s listings encompass a wide variety of properties. It boasts more than 28 million listed properties, making it a preferred choice among online travel agents.
Key Features of Booking.com for Hosts
Listing Process: The listing process on Booking.com is straightforward, allowing property owners to list their properties with ease. After creating a partner account and registering your property, you choose your property type and add its description.
Pricing Model and Fees: Booking.com operates on a commission-based model, where hosts are charged a percentage fee per booking. This commission percentage is determined by factors like your location and property type. While the booking site offers competitive prices, it’s essential for hosts to consider this cost when pricing their properties.
Review and Rating System: Booking.com features a robust review and rating system. It also automates this process by sending out review invitations to guests via email, making it one less task for hosts. To keep the process transparent, guests may not leave a review anonymously. These guest review scores are used to calculate an overall Guest Review Score which is displayed on your property page.
Communication Tools: The platform provides a messaging system where hosts can directly communicate with their guests. To streamline the process, you have communication tools like an Extranet Inbox, message templates, and automatic replies.
Property Management Tools: Booking.com also offers a comprehensive set of tools that assist in managing properties. From the ability to manage calendar availability, and set customized price rules to integration capabilities with other tools like Google Flights, the platform empowers hosts to manage their listings effectively.
Pros and Cons of Using Booking.com for Property Owners
Pros
- Vast reach: Booking.com’s significant global reach can expose properties to a large and diverse audience. In fact, in 2024 it was the most visited travel and tourism website worldwide, while its app was the second most downloaded app. To give you a better idea of its popularity among travelers, in February 2025 alone its website attracted 517 million visits.
- Feature-rich: Offering several value-added features like free breakfast and free cancellation can make listings more attractive to potential guests.Intuitive interface: A simple and user-friendly interface makes the process of managing listings more straightforward.
Cons
Commission-based fees: The commission fees can be high, impacting the profitability of hosts.
Limited control: The platform maintains control over how properties are listed and displayed, which might not always align with a host’s preferences.
Understanding Expedia
History and Overview of Expedia
Expedia was launched in 2001 as a division of Microsoft, and since then, it has transformed into one of the world’s largest online travel companies.
Now part of the Expedia Group, this booking site is a comprehensive travel marketplace, providing an array of travel products from booking hotel stays and flights to securing car rentals and experiences. The platform’s reach is truly global, serving both leisure and business travelers with an extensive brand portfolio, which includes some of the world’s leading online travel brands.
Key Features of Expedia for Hosts
Listing Process: Expedia offers a straightforward and efficient process for hosts to list their properties. Plus, you don’t need to sign up with all their other brands individually. When you join their platform, your listing will automatically appear on some of the top online travel brands.
Pricing Model and Fees: Like Booking.com, Expedia operates on a commission-based model. The platform charges hosts a percentage of the booking amount as a fee. This should be considered when setting the pricing for properties.
Review and Rating System: Expedia incorporates a robust review system. Only verified guests can leave a review, ensuring that the feedback is reliable and accurately represents the guest experience.
Guest Communication: Through the platform, hosts can engage in direct communication with guests, addressing queries and clarifying details about bookings. This direct communication can contribute to better guest satisfaction and experience.
Property Management Tools: Expedia provides hosts with a range of property management tools, helping them manage their bookings, keep track of their revenue, and handle other administrative tasks efficiently.
Pros and Cons of Using Expedia for Property Owners
Pros
Global Reach: By listing on Expedia, hosts gain access to a global customer base, increasing their potential for bookings. On average, it attracts between 64 and 77 million website visitors.
Loyalty Program: The Expedia Rewards program can attract more guests as they can earn and redeem points on the platform.
Diverse Booking Options: Expedia’s wide range of booking options for travel and experiences can lead to increased visibility and potential bookings for hosts.
Cons
Commission-based Fees: Similar to Booking.com, the commission fees can be relatively high, which can impact the profit margins for hosts.
Less Control Over Listings: Hosts might find they have less control over their listings as Expedia maintains certain standards and policies for listing properties.
Competitive Landscape: As Expedia features a broad range of properties and accommodations, hosts might face stiff competition, making it crucial to ensure their listings stand out.
Comparative Analysis: Booking.com vs. Expedia
Audience Reach
Both Booking.com and Expedia offer a significant global reach, serving millions of users worldwide. That said, Booking.com attracts substantially more website visitors. Based on recent statistics, Booking.com generates about 10 times more website traffic.
Fees and Commission Structures
Both platforms operate on a commission-based model, where hosts are charged a percentage fee per booking. While the specific percentage may vary depending on the location and type of property, generally, both platforms’ fees can be relatively high, which could impact the profitability for hosts.
Guest Booking Experience
Both platforms strive to provide a seamless and user-friendly booking experience. This is made even more convenient by the fact that you can use various ways to pay (including PayPal and Apple Pay).
Loyalty Programs
Both platforms have their own loyalty program. Guests can earn points and unlock benefits like free breakfast, discounts at a particular hotel, free room upgrades, and priority support.
Host Management Tools
Booking.com and Expedia offer a comprehensive set of tools to assist hosts in managing their properties. Both platforms provide functionalities to manage calendar availability, set pricing rules, and handle guest communications. However, it’s crucial for hosts to familiarize themselves with each platform’s specific tools and find out which one aligns more closely with their needs.
Review and Rating Systems
Both platforms feature robust review and rating systems. That said, one drawback of Booking.com’s reviews is that they mention in the fine print that no-shows and people who’ve booked a property on behalf of a friend, colleague, or family member may leave reviews. The fact that it allows guests who might have booked but didn’t check-in to review may muddle the accuracy of the reviews.
Tips for Choosing Between Booking.com and Expedia
Deciding between Booking.com and Expedia can be a challenge, as both platforms offer robust features and extensive reach. However, your choice ultimately comes down to your individual circumstances, goals, and preferences. Here are some crucial aspects to consider:
Understand Your Specific Needs and Goals
Before making a choice, clarify your specific needs and goals. Are you looking to maximize occupancy, cater to a specific type of traveler, or maybe prioritize ease of use? Your objectives can significantly influence the best platform for your requirements.
For instance, if your goal is to achieve high occupancy rates and maximize bookings, you may want to consider a platform with extensive global reach and a user-friendly interface. On the other hand, if you’re focused on targeting a specific demographic or type of traveler, you’ll need to look closely at the user demographics of each platform and their respective features.
For example, the highest share of Expedia’s users come from the United States (84%), followed by Canada (1.9%). On the other hand, if you’re looking to attract more guests from Europe, Booking.com will be the better choice. Booking.com (followed by TripAdvisor) is the most well-known travel company in the UK.
Consider Your Budget for Listing Fees and Commissions
Every platform charges fees for their services. Both Booking.com and Expedia operate on a commission model, which can significantly impact your profit margins. As such, it's vital to understand and account for these costs when setting your prices and budgeting.
It's also worth considering the potential return on investment each platform offers. Consider factors such as average booking rates, occupancy rates, and the demographic of travelers they attract, as these can all impact your overall revenue.
Evaluate Your Comfort Level with Each Platform’s Management Tools and Systems
Each platform comes with a suite of host management tools and systems. These tools will be your primary interface for managing listings, reservations, and guest communications. You'll want to choose a platform whose tools you find intuitive and efficient.
Take time to explore each platform’s host tools. Consider factors such as the listing process, reservation management, reporting features, and overall user interface. Remember, a platform that aligns with your tech-savviness level will make your hosting experience much more manageable.
Check Your Preferred Level of Control Over Guest Communications
Communication with guests is a crucial aspect of hosting. Some hosts prefer maintaining direct control over guest communications, while others are content with a more structured, platform-managed system. Both Booking.com and Expedia offer systems for guest communication, but the level of control they afford can differ.
Thoroughly consider how each platform handles guest communications and ensure the approach aligns with your preferred style and the level of guest interaction you're comfortable with. Remember, good communication can significantly influence guest satisfaction and subsequent reviews.
While Booking.com and Expedia are both excellent platforms, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Be sure to consider these factors thoroughly and make an informed decision that best supports your property rental business's success.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Booking.com and Expedia can influence your success as a short-term rental host or property owner. Each platform offers unique benefits, and the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, goals, target audience, and comfort with the platform’s tools and systems.
To streamline your operations further, consider implementing iGMS, a vacation rental software that enables hosts to manage multiple properties across various platforms, including Booking.com and Expedia. It offers a plethora of features such as automated messaging, team management, and advanced reporting, allowing you to focus on improving the guest experience.
In conclusion, while selecting the right booking platform is crucial, incorporating a tool like iGMS can significantly boost your property rental business’s efficiency and growth. Make your choice wisely to ensure the ongoing success of your rental venture.
