Is Travelzoo legit? Our honest review covers how it works, Club membership value, plus what to check before you book a travel deal.
Yes, Travelzoo is a legitimate site. While planning Capri by the Sea, Your Complete Visitor Guide, it is worth knowing that Travelzoo is not an online travel agency (booking site) but rather a deal-finding site. When used correctly, Travelzoo can help save you significant amounts of money on hotel stays, cruises, and vacation packages. However, when used incorrectly, Travelzoo will sell you a “deal” that is really no deal at all.
My First Run-In With Travelzoo
I was honest; I joined the Travelzoo newsletter some time ago because of my interest. A acquaintance of mine was able to boast that she got a hotel room right next to the beach for very little money, so I wanted to know the “secret.”
I didn’t open those emails for several weeks. When it rained hard on Sunday, I decided to check out one email. That email offered a boutique hotel in a town I wanted to see at a price much cheaper than what I found through the larger booking websites.
I had opened six of my browser’s tabs, and began to compare them with each other. This process of comparing helped transform me from a skeptic of Travelzoo to someone who knows what it is.
How Does Travelzoo Work?
Travelzoo is an online travel deals site. You can think of it as a friend that searches for travel deals throughout the day and sends you the best ones via text message. Travelzoo’s editors review the deals submitted by their partner companies and publish the ones they think are worth sharing.
Most people aren’t aware of this: For most travel purchases, you’re not booking with Travelzoo. Instead, you’re booking directly with the supplier. After clicking “book,” the site usually takes you to the hotel, cruise line, or tour operator. Although some offers are processed through Travelzoo’s checkout system, it is important to review the terms and conditions listed on every deal page.
That is important since most of the time the supplier handles refunds, changes and customer service. I found out the hard way when I had to change hotel reservations and took 20 minutes to send emails to the incorrect company.
Is Travelzoo Legit?
Travelzoo is a well established, publicly traded company with many years of experience in the travel industry. While partners pay to have their deals featured on Travelzoo, this doesn’t imply that the deals themselves are poor quality; rather, it indicates that a paid placement may not always represent the top value available in the marketplace.
“Perfect” and “legitimate” are two very different concepts. Many of the problems reported by customers are caused by confusion over refund policies, blackout periods, and offers that appeared to be more attractive prior to being charged additional fees. All of these issues are typical of people who search for deals but do not take the time to read all of the fine print, and I am certainly no exception to this.
Is Travelzoo Club Worth It?
Travelzoo has an annual fee for its membership program called Travelzoo Club. The Travelzoo Club offers exclusive deals to members. Because the pricing of this membership and the associated benefits can vary over time, please review the current terms and conditions prior to joining.
It is useful for individuals who take multiple trips throughout the year and can be flexible regarding their travel plans. It is not recommended for those who only take one trip per year and/or have set travel plans. Membership that isn’t being used will merely result in feeling guilty and spending too much money, similar to buying a gym pass.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before you book, ask:
- Does the price assume double occupancy?
- Do resort fees, taxes or port fees cost extra?
- Does the price include flights, or just the hotel?
- Which dates does the supplier black out?
My morning routine requires only five minutes. I go directly to the supplier’s website and check each side by comparison of the room types, date(s) of stay, and the overall price. The one that offers a lower price will be the one that I choose. When both sides have the same prices, then I select the side with the most favorable cancellation policy.
Pros and Cons
The good:
- Editors do the filtering for you
- It inspires trips you’d never think to search for
- Extra perks can raise the value beyond the headline price
The not-so-good:
- Direct booking or another site sometimes beats it
- Support can feel fragmented between Travelzoo and the supplier
- It works poorly if you can’t move your dates
If you are looking for airfare, then a travel agent such as Going or Secret Flying is generally better than using Travelzoo. However, if you are looking for hotel stays, cruise vacations, or bundled packages, Travelzoo will be one of your top choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Travelzoo allow you to book on its website? Not always. Although many of the deals that you find on Travelzoo will take you to the supplier’s website, there are also some deals that you can purchase directly from Travelzoo.
Final Verdict
Travelzoo is a valid and useful resource for finding selected travel deals, provided that you view it as a way to begin your search and do not expect a guarantee.
That Sunday, when it rained, I was partially correct about what I suspected. I had made an incomplete observation. There wasn’t any hidden catches or tricks in the deal, I simply didn’t know enough about the deal. If you’re going to use this type of travel service, please subscribe to their free newsletter and stay updated on all their deals. Your future self on vacation will appreciate your efforts!
Top 3 Resources
- Travelzoo on Wikipedia: Wikipedia provides a neutral description of Travelzoo’s history from its launch in 1998 by Ralph Bartel to its NASDAQ listing. Additionally, Wikipedia describes how companies are able to purchase advertising space for their deals; however, only deals that have been approved by Travelzoo can be included in those listings.
- ConsumerAffairs gathers actual reviews from Travelzoo customers that include complaints as well as Travelzoo’s responses. This can provide you with an objective view of your experience with Travelzoo’s refund policies and services.
