Yes, when you reserve a hotel room through Expedia, you will be charged automatically. The charge is based on the agreed upon price at checkout. Payments are collected securely by Expedia, and the charge will appear on your credit card statement as an Expedia charge.

That’s an excellent question, and it’s a common point of confusion.

The short answer is: You pay Expedia, and then Expedia pays the hotel.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how it works and what it means for you:

The Payment Flow

1. You Book & Pay Expedia: When you make a reservation on Expedia (or similar online travel agencies like Booking.com, Hotels.com), you enter your payment details and complete the transaction with Expedia.
2. Expedia Holds/Processes the Payment: Expedia collects your money. They may charge you immediately (for a non-refundable “Pay Now” rate) or place an authorization/hold on your card (for a “Pay at Hotel” or flexible rate).
3. Expedia Pays the Hotel: Later, usually after your stay, Expedia sends a bulk payment to the hotel for all the bookings they facilitated, minus their commission. You do not have a direct financial transaction with the hotel for the room rate you booked through Expedia.

Important Implications for You:

• Customer Service & Changes: For any changes, cancellations, or issues with your booking before or during your stay, you must contact Expedia first, not the hotel. The hotel’s front desk often cannot modify a third-party reservation or issue a refund directly, as they didn’t process your payment.
• Billing Issues: If there’s a problem with your bill (e.g., a double charge, wrong amount), you’ll need to resolve it through Expedia’s customer service.
• Hotel Loyalty Points: Most hotels will not award loyalty points