Virtuoso is better suited for travelers seeking luxury, personalized service, and exclusive experiences, while Expedia is a good option for those looking for a wide range of travel services and deals through a user-friendly online platform. However, potential Expedia users should be aware of potential customer service issues.
| Attribute | Virtuoso | Expedia |
|---|---|---|
| Range of Destinations Offered | Offers experiences in over 2,500 global destinations, with advisors in 54 countries. | Global online travel agency with a wide range of destinations for hotel bookings, activities, and travel services. |
| Specialization in Luxury Travel | Specializes in luxury and experiential travel, catering to high-end clients seeking bespoke trips with unique experiences and VIP treatment. | Provides access to VIP Access hotels where rewards members, especially Silver and Gold members, can get extra perks. |
| Custom Itinerary Planning Services | Advisors craft bespoke trips, customizing travel to specific desires using personal connections and firsthand expertise. | Offers personalized itineraries to simplify travel planning. |
| Access to Exclusive Travel Deals | Provides access to exclusive amenities, privileged access, and rare experiences, including special values, complimentary perks, and VIP treatment. | Provides access to exclusive member prices with discounts around 10% or more. Offers mobile-exclusive deals through their app. |
| 24/7 Customer Support Availability | Offers 24/7 availability to assist customers, with agents available to handle issues around the clock. | Customer service agents are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via phone and chat. |
| Membership Benefits and Perks | Offers benefits like preferred rates, room upgrades, daily breakfast, early check-in/late checkout, spa credits, and food & beverage credits. | Rewards program called One Key, where members can earn and redeem rewards across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. Multiple tiers (Blue, Silver, and Gold) offer increasing benefits. |
| Online Booking Platform Usability | Ensures top accommodations for the best price at participating hotels, cruises, and private tours, with options to explore in-depth details before booking. | Known for having a user-friendly booking process on both its website and mobile app. |
| Travel Insurance Options | Advisors can connect travelers with Allianz Global Assistance for various travel insurance options covering trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and more. | Partners with Travel Guard (AIG) to provide travel protection services, including flight, hotel, cruise, and vacation package insurance. Offers annual travel insurance plans. |
| Price Transparency and Comparison | Travel advisors can offer industry-best perks and amenities at prices competitive with online booking. | Aims to display airline's extra fees alongside base ticket prices. Includes an 'Upfront pricing' pop-up and disclaimer to confirm that the total shown includes all taxes and fees. |
| User Reviews and Ratings | As of November 2024, Virtuoso advisors had a record-high rating average of 99.3%. Based on 16 customer reviews, Virtuoso's overall rating is 3.44 out of 5 stars. | Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars. 100% of reviewers recommend the brand (from one community). |
| Cancellation and Refund Policies | Free cancellation may be available up to 30 days prior to arrival. Cancellations made within 30 days may be subject to a charge of 100% of the entire stay. If you cancel more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start of your rental, they'll process the refund immediately. | Offers a 24-hour cancellation policy for flights, allowing cancellation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund. Hotel cancellation policies vary, with some hotels offering fully refundable options. |
| Expertise in Specific Travel Niches (e.g., adventure, family) | Virtuoso Communities help advisors specialize in niches like family, wellness, or adventure travel. Advisor specializations include adventure, culture, history & arts, family travel, food & wine. | Provides visitor guides to help travelers find interesting things to do in their destination cities. |