Are you familiar with eDreams.com? This platform serves as a robust search engine and online travel agency, offering services like flight and hotel bookings, vacation packages, car rentals, and even travel insurance. It’s a comprehensive solution for various travel needs.
Is eDreams Legit a website? And why does it often offer lower prices than competing platforms? These questions are highly relevant to those who travel frequently. That’s why we’ve put together an in-depth review of eDreams.com.
If you’ve had either a positive or negative experience with eDreams, feel free to share it in our comments section. You should also be aware that eDreams is currently paying bloggers to write favorable reviews about their services. However, this particular article is independent; we’ve received no compensation and aim to provide useful insights for travelers.
What is eDreams?
Founded in 2000, eDreams is a digital travel platform offering a range of booking services for flights, hotels, and more. The platform provides options for affordable air travel from more than 600 airlines and allows users to conveniently compare flight and hotel costs to find the most economical choices.
eDreams presents a variety of special offers including discounted flights, last-minute travel options, weekend escapes, and promotional deals across different travel categories. They have expanded their services to include package deals, combining flights and hotels, as well as car rental options.
Besides their website, eDreams also features a mobile app, making it easy for travelers to plan and book their trips while on the move.
How to Book Your Vacation with eDreams?
Booking a vacation package, flight, or hotel room through eDreams is a simple process, similar to what you’d find on many other travel websites. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Navigate to the section you’re interested in via the top menu (for instance, ‘Flight + Hotel’).
Step 2: Select your desired destination or browse through ‘Top routes and holiday deals!’
Step 3: Enter the required information and proceed to the checkout.
Step 4: Compare the cost of the selected package with eDreams Prime for potential savings.
Step 5: Finalize your reservation.
Step 6: Receive a confirmation either in your email inbox or directly within the eDreams app.
It should be noted that we don’t utilize or endorse their booking service.
What is eDreams Prime?
If you’ve searched for flights using eDreams, you may have observed that there are two pricing options for each flight: standard and Prime.
eDreams Prime is a membership-based service that grants you access to premium flight deals and a possible 50% discount on hotel bookings. You have the option to test out eDreams Prime through a 30-day free trial.
Additionally, they offer eDreams Prime Plus, a feature that lets you extend your membership benefits to friends, enabling them to enjoy the same discounts. Unfortunately, that’s not something I’m interested in.
Is eDreams Legit?
Is eDreams Legit? Yes, eDreams is a legitimate business. It’s an authorized travel agency operating under the umbrella of eDreams ODIEGO, one of Europe’s largest online travel corporations.
Why Do Some Users Report Problems with eDreams?
While eDreams is a legitimate service, it operates as a third-party intermediary, facilitating transactions between customers and vendors while taking a commission. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this business model, but it does require robust customer service to ensure smooth transactions and to address any issues that may arise.
In some cases, you’re bound to deal exclusively with eDreams for changes or refunds, as certain vendors will not handle these matters without eDreams’ involvement. Personally, I find this a significant drawback, as it requires going through eDreams’ customer service to resolve issues, which is less than ideal.
Is eDreams a Scam?
While I don’t agree that eDreams is a scam, I understand why some customers have strong negative opinions about the company. They often offer attractive deals, but when cancellations or alterations are needed, the absence of a strong customer support system or automated refund process can leave customers feeling ignored or dismissed.
Now that you’re informed about the potential challenges of booking through third-party platforms like eDreams, you can reach out to them if you encounter any issues with your reservation.
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Legitimacy of eDreams
Operated by its parent organization ODIGEO, eDreams holds the title of being Europe’s biggest online agency for flight bookings, boasting over two decades of global experience in the travel industry. Its longstanding presence confirms its legitimacy.
How can one ascertain its authenticity? Here are some important indicators:
Secure Payment
During the payment process for your reservation, a secure transaction window will appear, requiring you to validate the transaction. This could entail authorizing the payment through your bank’s mobile app, entering a code sent to your email or phone, or responding to a security question.
Financial Transparency
eDreams is listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, Spain’s leading securities market, also known as the Bolsa de Madrid. To be listed on this exchange, a company must be public and meet specific criteria for trading.
Moreover, eDreams provides publicly accessible financial records and a stable tax structure, further substantiating its legitimate operational status. On paper at least, eDreams appears to be legitimate.
However, the company has repeatedly faced criticism regarding its business practices.
Well-Established
Operating under the umbrella of the ODIGEO Group, eDreams caters to both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) clientele. The company boasts a customer base of 18 million people across 46 different countries, with its global headquarters located in Madrid. It employs over 1,700 staff members worldwide, according to their official data.
Additionally, eDreams has received more than 115,000 reviews on TrustPilot, where over 60% of these are four or five-star reviews. The website SiteJapper gives it a nearly four-star rating as well.
However, it’s worth noting that these ratings have come under scrutiny and criticism from various independent outlets.
Should You Book Directly or Through eDreams?
If the cost of booking directly with the service provider and using eDreams is nearly identical or even a bit less expensive, there’s no advantage in using eDreams.
However, if a considerable price discrepancy exists, your personal comfort level becomes the deciding factor.
My own advice is to spend a little extra to book directly, particularly for flights, rather than using eDreams. This way, you can avoid complications if things go awry or you need to amend or cancel your plans.
How to Cancel a Flight on eDreams?
Per eDreams’ cancellation guidelines, various terms are offered for flight cancellations. Flights labeled as “Free Cancellation” can be canceled without a fee, provided it is done on the same day as the booking. Otherwise, you’ll incur cancellation fees.
The general cancellation policy from eDreams states that based on the specific flight you have booked, you may be eligible for a complete, partial, or no refund at all. If your flight booking is of a refundable, standard, or premium nature, there will be no cancellation fee. If not, a $50 administrative charge per ticket will be levied by eDreams. Additional cancellation fees may also be charged by some airlines.
eDreams is capable of facilitating the cancellation process for you with certain airlines like American Airlines, Air France, and British Airways. To proceed with the cancellation, you should contact eDreams customer service by phone. Conversely, for budget airlines, you’ll need to contact the airline directly to cancel your flight.
eDreams Refunds: How to Get Them
I genuinely hope your travels proceed without a hitch. However, if there’s an issue with your flight, you might be eligible for a refund. If your flight gets canceled, the airline should either provide an alternative flight or refund the full ticket price. You can make your decision through the eDreams app.
To get a refund, it’s essential to cancel your flight first. The app allows you to monitor the progress of your refund.
Heads up: There have been several complaints about credit card charges without corresponding bookings. I’ve faced this too, and it’s advisable to get in touch with both eDreams and your credit card provider. A reputable credit card firm should assist you in reversing the charge, especially if the booking was unsuccessful, without solely relying on eDreams.
If you notice a charge on your card, it’s wise to wait for 2-3 business days. It might be a pending transaction that could adjust or reverse on its own.
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The Truth About Refunds from eDreams
eDreams has been proactive in exceeding customer expectations when it comes to refunds. To navigate through the upheaval in the airline industry caused by the pandemic and to aid in the industry’s recovery, eDreams expanded its customer service and refunds department. As a result, the average waiting time has been cut by 65%, and 87% of customers report being either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the service they received. Due to these enhancements in customer service, 97% of refund cases are now resolved.
European law mandates that airlines must issue refunds for canceled flights within a 7-day period. However, industry disruptions related to the pandemic have extended this average period to 89 days. While eDreams serves as a go-between for airlines and travelers, the company has taken the initiative to advance refund payments to customers even before receiving reimbursements from reliable airlines.
How Do eDreams Make Money?
eDreams earns its income through the sale of flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. They also offer additional services such as car rentals, tours, and adventure trips, earning commissions or incentives whenever someone makes a booking via their platform. In addition, eDreams benefits from advertising revenue, as many hotels and airlines buy ad space on their site. This leads eDreams to prominently feature and promote sponsored offerings.
Many people criticize eDreams’ stringent refund policy as being unethical. The company allows a mere one-hour window for customers to make any modifications or cancellations. After this brief period, obtaining either a full or partial refund becomes either very challenging or unfeasible. eDreams retains refunds granted by resorts, spas, or airlines, instead of passing them on to the customer. Additionally, eDreams automatically subscribes customers to their “Prime” service, which costs $60 per month and promises better discounts. However, customers aren’t given the option to opt out before being enrolled and are seldom refunded the charges.
Customer Reviews of eDreams
You can discover customer testimonials on platforms like TrustPilot, SiteJabber, and Google. However, it’s important to interpret these reviews cautiously, not necessarily because they lack accuracy, but due to the human tendency to focus on negative experiences.
It’s key to understand that review platforms often exhibit a negative bias. While dissatisfied customers are vocal about their grievances, those who are content usually go about their day without leaving a review. Therefore, the ‘average’ score you see may not be entirely representative of the actual customer experience.
Despite public complaints often highlighting only specific aspects of a situation, companies like eDreams do try their best to resolve issues, some of which might be out of their control, like awaiting refunds from airlines.
Nonetheless, there are numerous positive eDreams reviews from happy customers, assuring you that the service is trustworthy.
Conclusion
eDreams is a legitimate service with a user base that generally seems satisfied. However, there are considerable downsides to using this platform. If you’re seeking budget-friendly bookings and rentals, feel free to take the risk, but be prepared for potential challenges in resolving any issues. Given these drawbacks, we advise exploring other more reliable online travel agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Is eDreams Legit
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Is eDreams Legit:
Is eDreams.com Reliable?
Absolutely! eDreams has been in business since the year 2000 and has expanded to become one of the largest online travel platforms globally. Though it’s a reputable name, it’s important to note that as an affiliate site, they have limited control over issues like cancellations and delays. Additionally, their customer service leaves much to be desired, so be cautious when making a booking through them.
Who Runs eDreams?
Since 2015, Dana Dunne has been at the helm of eDreams ODIGEO as its CEO. He has been instrumental in transforming the company from a Europe-focused online travel agency to a worldwide enterprise operating on a subscription model. David Elízaga serves as the Chief Financial Officer, and Gerrit Goedkoop is the company’s Chief Operating Officer.
Is eDreams Safe?
While eDreams offers robust security measures for your account and personal data, its customer support is not particularly reliable. Therefore, it may not be the safest choice for making reservations.
Is eDreams Prime Legit?
Yes, it’s a legitimate service. However, its value to you may differ depending on how frequently you book trips through eDreams. It might be worth trying out their free trial but remember to cancel it before the billing cycle starts if you don’t find it beneficial.
Can You Plan a Family Holiday on eDreams?
Certainly, the platform provides a wide range of family-friendly hotels. In addition, eDreams offers a variety of entertainment and activity options tailored for children. From tours, theater performances, and puppet shows to zoos and parks, there’s a lot to choose from, especially in larger cities where both free and paid family-oriented activities abound.
