Expedia sued in Seattle antitrust case over hotel pricing algorithms

Consumers have filed a federal class action in Seattle accusing online travel giant Expedia of using exclusionary contracts and pricing algorithms to raise hotel room prices. The lawsuit seeks to represent two groups of travelers: those who booked hotels directly through Expedia after October 2022 and those who booked through other online travel agencies during the same period.

According to the complaint, Expedia controls about 80% of the gross booking value for U.S. consumers and U.S.-based hotels. The plaintiffs say this dominance lets Expedia charge steep commissions, which hotels pass on to guests by inflating rates even for bookings made outside Expedia’s platform.

Alleged Anticompetitive Practices

The filing alleges Expedia forbids hotels from offering lower rates on their own websites and punishes hotels that list cheaper rooms on rival sites such as Booking.com or Priceline by demoting them in search results. This, the plaintiffs claim, forces hotels to artificially raise prices in the direct‑booking channel.

By restricting hotels’ ability to set lower rates elsewhere, the plaintiffs argue Expedia creates artificial barriers to entry for competing booking platforms and suppresses competition in the online travel‑agency market.

Impact on Major Hotel Chains

The complaint identifies several large hotel brands—including Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental, Wyndham, Hyatt and Best Western—as being affected by the alleged scheme. If successful, the case could change how these chains price rooms across all booking channels.

What This Means for Travelers

Consumers who booked hotel rooms after October 2022 may be part of the proposed class. While the case is pending, there is no immediate remedy, but affected travelers should keep records of booking confirmations, receipts and any communications with hotels or booking sites.

Should the court find Expedia violated antitrust law, the company could be ordered to stop the pricing scheme and potentially pay damages to consumers.

When Consulting a Lawyer Helps

Anyone who believes they overpaid because of Expedia’s alleged practices may benefit from speaking with an attorney experienced in antitrust or consumer‑protection law. A lawyer can assess whether the individual fits the class definition and advise on steps to preserve rights.

This article is general information based on Courthouse News Service and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 5, 2026.