.Com TLD orbitz.com

orbitz.com

November 18, 2025

Here’s a rundown of Orbitz (Orbitz.com) — what it is, how it works, what’s good and what to watch out for — so you can decide whether to use it (or not) for your travel planning.

What is Orbitz.com?

Orbitz is an online travel agency (OTA) and travel-fare aggregator that allows users to search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, and other travel-related services. (orbitz)
It was officially launched in June 2001. (Wikipedia)
Originally it was built by a consortium of major U.S. airlines. (DPO Pay by Network)
Now it’s a brand under Expedia Group (via acquisition). (Wikipedia)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, U.S. (Wikipedia)

How it works

  • On Orbitz you pick your travel element (flights/hotels/cars/vacation packages) and search by departure/destination dates. For example, for flights you choose your origin, destination, dates, number of travellers. (orbitz)

  • Once results appear you can filter by price, stops (for flights), cabin class, airlines; for hotels you can filter by rating, amenities, location. Orbitz supports all-in-one combinations (flight + hotel + car) so you can bundle and often get a discount. (going.com)

  • Orbitz also runs a loyalty/rewards program: you earn “Orbucks” (for stays or flights depending) which can be redeemed toward future bookings. (DPO Pay by Network)

  • Since it’s an OTA, you’re not always dealing directly with the airline/hotel/car agency — Orbitz acts as intermediary. This affects things like changes/cancellations. (NerdWallet)

Strengths (What Orbitz does well)

  • One-stop travel booking: You can handle flights + hotel + car + packages in one place. That makes planning simpler rather than juggling multiple sites.

  • Bundles may save you money: Because bundling everything often gives you a better deal than booking separately. For example, Orbitz claimed savings on vacation packages vs booking each component individually. (orbitz)

  • Rewards program: If you use Orbitz repeatedly (especially for hotels) you might benefit from Orbucks and other perks. (DPO Pay by Network)

  • Mobile app and convenience: Orbitz has a mobile-optimized site and app to support bookings on the go. (orbitz)

  • Good search/filter tools for flights: For instance, Orbitz shows upgraded fare classes in real time and displays cancellation policy clearly. (going.com)

Weaknesses & things to watch out for

  • Booking through an intermediary creates risk: Because you’re not always direct with the airline or hotel. If something goes wrong (flight delay/cancellation, hotel issue), you may have to go through Orbitz and the supplier. One article says:

    “Since Orbitz is an online travel agency rather than solely a search engine… there’s no way to book directly with the airline via Orbitz.” (going.com)

  • Search limitations for flexibility: Orbitz is not as strong when you want very flexible dates, multi-city trips, map‐view search, etc. (going.com)

  • Customer service / refund issues noted: Some users report frustration when needing changes or refunds. For example, several complaints on Reddit about rental car bookings and flight changes. (Reddit)

  • Prices may appear similar to other OTAs: Because Orbitz is part of Expedia Group, many of the deals and inventory overlap with other sites in that family. So you might not always get dramatically better prices vs competitors. (going.com)

  • Third-party fees / policies may differ: Because of the way OTAs work, you need to be careful with cancellation terms, changes, and additional fees. Always check the fine print.

History & Ownership

When it makes sense to use Orbitz

  • If you’re booking more than one travel component (flight + hotel + car) and want the convenience of one platform.

  • If you value the loyalty program (Orbucks) and plan to use Orbitz for multiple stays/bookings so you can redeem rewards.

  • If you want decent filtering/search for flights/hotels and like comparing packages.

  • If you’re comfortable with an OTA model (not booking direct) and are attentive to terms/conditions.

When you might consider alternatives

  • If you prefer booking directly with airlines/hotels for better service, easier changes, stronger customer support.

  • If you want very flexible or advanced search (multi-city flights, broad date ranges, map view) — some other search engines/OTAs may perform better.

  • If service/changes/refunds matter a lot to you (especially in times like cancellations or irregular operations) — booking direct or via a brand known for strong support may be safer.

  • If you want to compare deeply for cheapest deals — sometimes lower cost may be found elsewhere or via direct supplier.

Key takeaways

  • Orbitz is a well-established OTA launched in 2001, now part of Expedia Group.

  • It offers a broad range of travel services (flights, hotels, cars, packages) and convenience bundling.

  • Its rewards program can add value for repeat users.

  • Because it’s a third-party intermediary, you’ll want to be alert to terms, cancellation policies, and potential service limitations.

  • It’s good choice for many travellers, but not always best if you prioritise direct booking or need the most flexibility.

FAQ

Q: Is Orbitz legit?
A: Yes. Orbitz is a long-standing online travel agency and travel fare aggregator; many users book through it. That said, “legit” doesn’t mean flawless — you still must check terms, service policies, and be aware of the intermediated nature. (NerdWallet)

Q: Do I always get the best price through Orbitz?
A: Not necessarily. Orbitz can offer competitive prices and packages, but because many OTAs share similar inventory (especially under the same parent company) you’ll still benefit from comparing with other sites, booking direct with airlines/hotels, and checking all terms. (going.com)

Q: What are Orbucks? How do they work?
A: Orbucks are the loyalty rewards of Orbitz. You earn Orbucks when booking eligible hotels (and sometimes flights) under certain conditions. You can redeem Orbucks toward future hotel bookings. If you use Orbitz frequently and book hotels via their site, you may benefit. (DPO Pay by Network)

Q: If I book a flight through Orbitz and need to change/cancel, what happens?
A: Since the flight was booked through an OTA, you will likely need to coordinate with both Orbitz and the airline. Sometimes OTAs act as intermediaries, which can make changes or refunds more complex. One article cautions that OTAs can complicate things. (going.com)

Q: Is orbitz.com good for international travel (outside the U.S.)?
A: Orbitz does support booking international flights/hotels. But given that terms, service networks, languages, and support may vary, for some international destinations you may want to double-check reviews, local options, or consider booking directly with local providers.