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Where is the first place you head to when you’re planning a trip?
For some of us, we always use the same booking platform – maybe through habit, or maybe through always having good experiences with it.
Others search around on different apps and websites looking for the best deal that fits our needs.
However you plan your travel, it’s always good to know what other travelers are using so you can make sure you’re not missing out on a platform that offers something more or so you can avoid a platform that is falling below its usual standards.
Global data company PYMNTS has revealed the 6 most popular travel booking apps right now based on coverage, up-to-date downloads, monthly average users, sessions per user, and average session lengths.
The top six features some names you’d expect but also a surprise or two, showing that travelers are keeping their options open when it comes to booking travel and searching for the best deals and most unique experiences.
Here are the rankings:
1) Airbnb
1) Booking.com
1) Expedia
2) Hopper
3) Skyscanner
4) Vrbo
Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia all tied for first place in this ranking with 98 points.
Those three big names were closely followed by Hopper with 97, Skyscanner with 89, and then Vrbo with 88.
Airbnb Still Flying High
Despite being superseded by other platforms in the eyes of some of our writers, Airbnb continues to be a very popular way to book travel accommodation.
The home-sharing app has had its fair share of controversies during its existence, the most recent of which saw the city of New York introduce new regulations that include hosts having to register with the city and also having to be present during rentals, sharing the space with their guests.
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Despite Airbnb being banned or restricted in locations such as New York, Paris, Barcelona, and Japan, and suffering from increasing costs and fees, travelers don’t seem to have been put off using the app to book places to stay.
Booking And Expedia Hold Steady
Also tied for first place were Booking.com and Expedia – two of the longest-standing and most well-known travel booking platforms.
Both of these companies date back to 1996, which gives them a trustworthy reputation in the world of travel and means that when they suggest where the hottest destinations are, people tend to pay attention.
The continued popularity of these apps might also stem from the ability travelers have to book not only accommodation but also flights, car hire, holiday packages, and even activities.
Both also offer solid loyalty programs, such as Booking’s Genius membership, which gives travelers exclusive rates.
Best Of The Rest
Hopper might be a name less familiar to travelers outside the United States, but this bunny-based brand now claims to be the most downloaded travel app in North America.
It offers unique selling points such as a tree planting program to help travelers offset their carbon footprints and also partnerships with airlines, including a recent one with Air Canada that allows travelers to use its ‘cancel for any reason’ feature through the airline.
As for Skyscanner, this flight comparison site has always been popular since it first launched in 2003.
It’s a great starting point when planning a trip, even just so you can see what kinds of flights are available and from where.
Just be aware that not all airlines are always featured on Skyscanner, and also make sure you don’t waste your time with many of the well-known hacks that simply don’t work.
Vrbo has a similar business model to Airbnb, giving property owners the chance to rent out their spaces for vacations.
It has encountered some similar controversies to Airbnb but offers travelers the opportunity to find places not listed anywhere else.
And in case you were interested, ranked in last place with a score of just 33 is HotelTonight, which specializes in last-minute deals booked up to seven days in advance.
Will this data change your travel booking habits?
Read More:
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This article originally appeared on outoftownblogs.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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