Orbitz: Earn Orbucks on hotels, flights & vacation packages
5% back on app bookings · Insider Prices · Low Price Guarantee
What Is Orbitz?
Orbitz is an online travel agency founded in 2001 and acquired by Expedia Group in 2015. It operates flights, hotels, vacation packages, rental cars, and activities in one platform. Since the Expedia acquisition, Orbitz runs on the same underlying inventory and pricing engine as Expedia and Travelocity, but it maintains its own consumer-facing brand and a distinct loyalty program called Orbitz Rewards (Orbucks).
For U.S. travelers, Orbitz remains a solid booking option, especially if you want to earn cash-back-style rewards on hotel stays without committing to a single hotel brand. It is part of the broader One Key Rewards ecosystem, meaning Orbitz bookings count toward the same loyalty balance as Expedia and Hotels.com.
How Orbitz Rewards Works
Orbitz Rewards is free to join with just an email address. Each booking earns Orbucks, and one Orbuck equals one US dollar toward future hotel stays. There are no blackout dates for redemption.
| Booking Type | Orbucks Earned |
|---|---|
| Hotel (Orbitz app) | 5% back |
| Hotel (desktop site) | 3% back |
| Flights & vacation packages | 1% back |
Orbucks can only be redeemed for hotel bookings, not flights. This makes Orbitz most rewarding for travelers who book hotels regularly. When you sign in, you also unlock Insider Prices — typically an extra 10% off select hotels marked with a blue tag in search results.
Key Features
- Low Price Guarantee: If you find a lower price for the same flight or hotel within 24 hours, Orbitz refunds the difference.
- 24-hour cancellation: Many bookings offer free cancellation within 24 hours of purchase, giving you flexibility.
- Vacation packages: Bundle flight + hotel + car to save compared to booking separately.
- Insider Prices: Extra 10% off for logged-in members on select properties.
- VIP access: Elite tiers unlock free room upgrades, late check-out, and exclusive amenities.
- Mobile app: The Orbitz app earns the highest Orbucks rate (5% on hotels) and includes mobile-exclusive deals.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- 5% Orbucks back on app hotel bookings — one of the better cash-back rates among OTAs.
- Free to join, no credit card required for Orbitz Rewards.
- Insider Prices give an extra 10% off for logged-in members.
- Low Price Guarantee adds price protection within 24 hours.
- One Key Rewards ecosystem unifies points with Expedia and Hotels.com.
- Strong bundle savings on flight + hotel packages.
- Large inventory backed by Expedia Group’s supply.
Things to Be Aware Of
- Orbucks can only be redeemed for hotels, not flights.
- Some flight bookings carry additional fees.
- No longer a distinct backend — same inventory as Expedia.
Orbitz vs. Expedia
Since Orbitz is owned by Expedia Group, flight and hotel prices are identical on both platforms for the same property and dates. The practical difference is the loyalty program: Orbitz offers Orbucks (cash back on hotels), while Expedia offers OneKeyCash through its own rewards program. For most travelers, the smarter move is to sign in to both, compare Insider Prices, and book whichever platform offers the lower rate plus better rewards on that specific booking.
Who Should Use Orbitz?
- U.S. travelers booking domestic hotels who want cash-back rewards.
- Frequent hotel bookers who can accumulate Orbucks for future stays.
- Bundle shoppers looking for flight + hotel package deals.
- Mobile users who prefer booking through an app for the 5% rate.
Start earning Orbucks on your next trip
5% back on app bookings · Insider Prices · Free cancellation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orbitz owned by Expedia?
Yes. Expedia Group acquired Orbitz in 2015. The two platforms share the same inventory and pricing engine, but Orbitz maintains its own brand and Orbitz Rewards program.
How much are Orbucks worth?
One Orbuck equals one US dollar. Orbucks can only be redeemed for hotel bookings, and there are no blackout dates.
Does Orbitz offer free cancellation?
Many hotel bookings include free cancellation within 24 hours of purchase. Always check the cancellation policy listed on the room details page before booking.
Is Orbitz cheaper than booking directly with a hotel?
It depends. Orbitz frequently offers member-only and package discounts, but direct hotel bookings sometimes include loyalty perks or breakfast. Compare both before booking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Orbitz remains a useful booking platform for U.S. travelers, particularly those who book hotels frequently and want to earn cash-back-style Orbucks on every stay. The 5% app-booking rate, Insider Prices, and Low Price Guarantee make it competitive with Expedia and other major OTAs.
While it no longer operates on a fully independent backend, the rewards program and package deals still deliver tangible savings. For most trips, the best strategy is to compare Orbitz alongside Expedia and the hotel’s direct site, then book through whichever channel gives you the lowest price plus the best rewards. You can explore current Orbitz deals here.
