Gift cards are one of the best ways to control travel spending, but many travelers remain unsure if they can use a Hotels.com gift card on Expedia. Even though both sites fall under the same parent company, Expedia Group, the two have different policies for their gift cards and methods of payment. Knowing what to expect and what’s possible will enable you to make better choices and a better budget for your travel.
What Is a Hotels.com Gift Card?
A Hotels.com gift card is a prepaid voucher that one can use to book hotels exclusively through Hotels.com. The cards are great gifts or advanced ways to manage your travel expenses.
- Redeemable only on Hotels.com for hotel bookings.
- You cannot use them for flights, car hire, or experiences.
- Available in both printed and electronic forms.
- You can redeem your balance till a particular date (depending on your card).
Can I use a Hotels.com gift card on Expedia?
No, you cannot use a Hotels.com gift card on Expedia. Although both are part of the Expedia Group, the two services operate as separate entities, and their channels of payment cannot be cross-used.
- Expedia will not accept a Hotels.com gift card.
- A Hotels.com gift card can only be utilized for bookings done on the Hotels.com platform.
- Currently, there is no policy that facilitates cross-platform usage within the Expedia Group.
- Additional payment means on Expedia include the use of a credit card, debit cards, PayPal, and Expedia Rewards points.
What Other Alternatives Do I Have If the Gift Card Cannot Be Utilized?
If you happen to have a gift card from Hotels.com and you wish to book an accommodation on the Expedia website, try these ways:
- Use Your Gift Card: Book hotels: You can simply use your card on its original site, Hotels.com.
- Book flights, cars, or packages on Expedia separately: Use a different payment method for non-hotel services.
- Gift it to someone else: Hotels.com gift cards are fantastic gifts for friends or family.
- Redeem Expedia Rewards points: Collect and redeem points directly on Expedia for savings.
How to Make the Most of a Hotels.com Gift Card?
Using your Hotels.com gift card wisely means getting the most out of it. Here are some tips:
- Book during sales: Use the Hotels.com discounts to get more out of your gift card balance.
- Gift card stacking: Have several gift cards? It’s possible to stack multiple gift cards together for a booking.
- Use it with Hotels.com rewards: Get your free nights by paying via gift card and using its points through Hotels.com’s loyalty program.
- Check expiry dates: Prevent your gift card from reaching its expiration date.
Does a Hotels.com Gift Card Come with Restrictions?
Yes, Hotels.com gift cards come with certain restrictions that are important to understand before making a booking. These limitations include:
- Hotels.com gift cards can only be applied to bookings made on Hotels.com and cannot be used on third-party websites, including Expedia.
- These cards cannot be used for air travel, car hire, or tour packages. They are specifically meant for hotel bookings.
- Once the balance is used, it cannot be reloaded, and unused funds cannot be refunded.
- Some gift cards may be restricted to specific regions, meaning they can only be used in certain countries or currencies
FAQs
No. Hotels.com gift card balance cannot be moved to Expedia or other sites.
Expedia accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Expedia Rewards points.
Both are part of Expedia Group but operate as distinct websites with their respective terms and conditions.
Book it on Hotels.com before it expires or pass it to another who will be able to use it immediately.
No, payments cannot be combined across the two platforms as they are separate entities.
Conclusion
Though Hotels.com and Expedia fall under the same corporate umbrella, their systems do not accept a Hotels.com gift card on Expedia. Knowing this distinction is important in order to plan your travel. If you have a Hotels.com gift card, your best choice would be to use it directly on Hotels.com to book hotels. For other needs such as booking flights and car rentals, search for other payment options from Expedia to make travel smooth.