Tripadvisor Review

Thursday, December 5th

2024 Vacation Rental Site Reviews

Tripadvisor

• 900,000+ properties in 190 countries
• "A+” BBB rating
• 24-hour customer support
• Payment Protection guarantee

TripAdvisor, the "largest travel guidance platform in the world”, has been revolutionizing the way we plan our vacations for over two decades. Founded by Stephen Kaufer in 2000 after the hassle of planning a family vacation, TripAdvisor has become a trusted resource for wanderlust enthusiasts worldwide.

A world of choices

One of the standout features of TripAdvisor is its extensive range of properties. With over 900,000 options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect accommodation that suits your preferences and budget. Whether you're looking for a cozy bed and breakfast or a luxurious resort, TripAdvisor has got you covered. The platform operates in 40 countries and 20 languages, making it accessible to travelers around the globe.

Comprehensive search and filtering options

After entering your destination and travel dates, TripAdvisor will notify you if there is a shortage of rentals during that time that match your dates.

• When you click on a property, you'll be taken to the owner's description, which includes a house rules section - a good thing to keep in mind when renting a vacation rental over a hotel is that special rules may apply since you might be staying in someone's secondary residence. You can also see how long the owner has been hosting, their response rate and speed, and the languages they speak.
• You can filter rental properties by internet, backyard, Wi-Fi, fireplace, and virtually any other amenity you can think of. You can also filter by whether it's kid/pet-friendly, has wheelchair access, and more. Additionally, you can filter by the neighborhood the property is in, the type of property it is, whether housekeeping is included, the distance from popular tourist destinations, and the views (like waterfront or mountain). They've thought of everything.

One-stop trip planning

TripAdvisor features articles like "9 events in Rome to check out all year round," which include hyperlinks to pages for individual destinations with relevant traveler information like admission fees, suggested visit duration, other travelers' photos and reviews, and directions. You can also "favorite" individual destinations and add them to an itinerary for your vacation. No more trying to track down trip inspiration between note-taking apps and Google Maps. It's all in one place with TripAdvisor.

Cost transparency issues

When booking a vacation rental through TripAdvisor, you will often be directed to one of their partner sites, such as Holiday Lettings or Vrbo Sometimes we noticed a discrepancy between the cost listed on TripAdvisor and the cost listed on the partner sites. Unfortunately, this makes browsing on TripAdvisor for your rental less effective, because you won't be able to tell with certainty if the place you have your eye on fits your budget until you begin the booking process.

Typical booking fees

TripAdvisor employs a booking fee system that varies based on the rental price, ranging from 8% to 16% of the rental cost. These fees contribute to the maintenance of the platform and its 24-hour customer support. While these fees are automatically added to your invoice upon booking, TripAdvisor provides a breakdown of your total cost, including booking and owner fees. Although the exact nature of owner fees is not explicitly explained in TripAdvisor's help topics, our guess is that they are charges imposed on hosts that are then passed on to customers.

Payment Protection guarantee

One of the key advantages offered by TripAdvisor is their Payment Protection guarantee. When booking through the platform, customers qualify for this guarantee, which safeguards against fraudulent advertisements (the rental is not owned by the person listing it), inaccessible rental (you paid and can't get in), and misrepresentation of a rental (it doesn't look like the photos). If any of these circumstances occur, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000, providing peace of mind when making your travel arrangements. However, not all of TripAdvisor's partners are covered by this guarantee, so be sure to read the fine print.

Cancellation policies vary

TripAdvisor does not have one standard cancellation policy. Before you cancel your booking, you'll need to read the cancellation policy that you should have received with your booking, which outlines the conditions as set by the owner or property management company of your rental. There you will find the cancellation timeline for your vacation rental and whether or not you're eligible for a refund.

TripAdvisor Plus

For frequent travelers looking to save money, TripAdvisor offers an exclusive membership program called TripAdvisor Plus. For an annual fee of $99, you gain access to a wealth of benefits and savings. Enjoy member-only savings, a flat 10% discount on everything, and perks from TripAdvisor's partners, including car rental services, flights, spa credits, and complimentary meals. You'll also gain access to personalized travel consultation via text, where you can receive tailored recommendations and advice from real experts.

Questions raised about authenticity of some reviews

One common complaint about TripAdvisor is the removal of negative yet truthful traveler reviews from the site, particularly for large hotel chains and restaurants. Some customers have even reported receiving emails from TripAdvisor asking them to remove their negative reviews, despite no violation of the site's rules. It seems that TripAdvisor may have shifted its focus to function as a marketing platform for featured attractions rather than remaining the merit-based, customer-curated travel guidance platform it began as. In addition, TripAdvisor has received some press attention in recent years for fake reviews. TripAdvisor should take more stringent measures to address this issue and implement systems to flag these potentially fraudulent reviews.

Still a good option

Despite its drawbacks, TripAdvisor remains a powerful tool for those seeking comprehensive travel guidance. With an impressive range of properties, 24-hour support, and the added benefits of TripAdvisor Plus, this platform has something to offer every adventurer. While improvements in addressing fraudulent reviews and enhancing price transparency would be welcome, TripAdvisor's wealth of information and user-friendly interface make it a valuable resource for planning your next unforgettable vacation.