By When you’re looking for great travel deals—especially across Asia—Trip.com often shows up with the lowest prices. With sleek branding, multi-language support, and global coverage, it promises flights, hotels, and train tickets at a discount. But the real question is: Does it deliver a smooth experience, or are the savings too good to be true?
Let’s dive into the pros, the problems, and whether Trip.com is worth your trust.
🌟 What Trip.com Does Well
✅ Surprisingly Good Prices
Trip.com often beats the competition on price, especially for hotel stays and train tickets in China and Southeast Asia. Many travelers have reported deals that were 10–30% cheaper than on Booking.com or Expedia—especially for local accommodations.
“I got a hotel in Shanghai for 25% less than anywhere else. Totally legit.”
✅ Clean App & Booking Interface
The app is user-friendly, supports multiple languages and currencies, and makes it easy to search, filter, and book. It also sends real-time alerts for flight delays, gate changes, and hotel reminders—super helpful when you’re on the go.
✅ Strong Presence in Asia
Trip.com is part of Trip.com Group (which owns Sky scanner and Trip), making it a major player in the Asian travel market. It’s especially reliable for domestic travel within China, where it offers access to routes and hotels that Western platforms often miss.
⚠️ Where Trip.com Can Go Wrong
❌ Unreliable Customer Service
Here’s where Trip.com gets the most criticism. If you need to cancel, change a booking, or get a refund, you’re often left dealing with chat bots or long email chains. Even when airlines approve a change, Trip.com may still deny it or charge extra.
“My airline allowed a change for free. Trip.com charged me $200 anyway.”
❌ Hidden Fees & Confusing Charges
Some users have reported unexpected service fees or inflated ticket prices—especially for train tickets in China. There’s a common complaint that foreign users are charged more than locals, and sometimes the final price only appears at checkout.
“They charged an extra $15 just to issue a $20 train ticket. What?”
❌ Errors with Seat Reservations & Tickets
A few travelers booked seats on international flights or high-speed trains, only to find the reservations weren’t actually confirmed. In some cases, incorrect passport details were entered, making the ticket invalid.
“Paid for seat selection—airline said it was never reserved.”
❌ Cancellations and Refunds Can Be a Nightmare
When things go wrong, getting your money back can take weeks—or never happen at all. Some users reported confirmed bookings being canceled last-minute, with only partial or delayed refunds.
🧾 Trip.com Pros & Cons
| Feature | ✅ Strengths | ⚠️ Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Often cheaper than other platforms | Service fees and “foreigner” markups |
| Booking Process | Clean interface, fast confirmations | Minor app glitches and manual entry errors |
| Travel Alerts | Real-time updates and mobile e-tickets | Not always accurate if third parties are involved |
| Customer Service | Quick for basic help | Poor for disputes, refunds, or urgent issues |
| Refunds & Flexibility | Offered on some bookings | Often denied, delayed, or tied to strict policies |
💬 What Real Travelers Are Saying
“Great prices on hotels in Asia. I’ve used them several times with no issues.”
“Terrible when things go wrong. No support. Airline approved my change, but Trip.com still said no.”
“Charged me more than the local train site and entered my passport details wrong. Had to rebook at the station.”
“They confirmed my hotel booking… then canceled it three days before check-in.”
🧳 When to Use Trip.com—and When Not To
✅ Use Trip.com if:
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You’re booking hotels in Asia, especially China or Southeast Asia.
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You want a budget-friendly option and don’t expect to change plans.
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You’re booking simple routes with clear terms.
⚠️ Avoid Trip.com if:
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You’re booking expensive flights or international train tickets.
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You might need flexibility or customer support.
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You want guaranteed seat reservations or fast refunds.
💡 Pro Tips for Safer Bookings
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Compare prices on the provider’s website before booking.
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Always screenshot your confirmation and ticket details.
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Use a credit card for added dispute protection.
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Avoid it for complex travel (like family seating or tight connections).
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For China train tickets, use the official 12306 app if possible.
✅ Final Verdict: Worth It, With Caveats
Trip.com can be a great travel companion—when used carefully. It offers great value for hotels and some train routes, particularly in Asia. But once you run into trouble, its customer support and refund process can leave you frustrated.
If you’re chasing a great deal and your plans are firm, Trip.com can work in your favor. But if flexibility, accuracy, and customer support matter to you, you’re better off booking direct.