Summary: eDreams offers clients easy, affordable trips worldwide, and the site is legal in most countries. However, while eDreams can bring you to your dream destinations, their business practice is a nightmare. eDreams makes cancellations and itinerary changes difficult, and buyers are ineligible for refunds after 60 minutes, per their refund policy.
eDreams is a website that lets users search for flights, hotels, and more. It’s easy to use and brings up numerous options to choose from. The company offers deals on regular and charter flights, low-cost airlines, hotels, car rentals, dynamic packages, holiday packages, and travel insurance. Users can search and compare plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, and more.
However, their refund policy is very unsatisfactory. Their refund policy allows customers just an hour to finalize plans. Even partial refunds can be hard to get. For most travelers, this policy makes working with eDreams impossible. Worse still, eDreams won’t refund even if your trip is canceled due to a destination country closing to foreign visitors. We advise that you apply caution when using this service, as there are numerous negative reviews from customers on eDreams.
Table of Contents
- eDreams company information
- What is eDreams?
- Is eDreams legal and safe or a scam?
- Is eDreams reliable and trustworthy?
- The pros and cons of eDreams
- How does eDreams make money?
- Best eDreams Alternatives
- eDreams FAQs
eDreams company information
| Official Website: | https://www.edreams.net/ |
| Headquarters Location: | Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. |
| Founded: | 1999 |
| Founder: | James Hare, Javier Perez-Tenessa |
| Industry: | Travel and Tourism |
| Contact: | customerservice-en@contact.edreams.com and flight@edreams.com |
| Trust Score: | Low |
| Social Media: | Instagram, Facebook, Twitter |
What is eDreams?
eDreams is a travel booking and tourism agency that lets customers find and book flights, hotels, and travel packages worldwide. The brand specializes in discount and budget travel. It is possible to book business, first-class flights, and 4-star accommodations through the website. Other services provided include shuttles and ferries and vacation rentals.
Users can also search and register for various activities, outings, and tours through the site. For example, tourists heading to New York can book Statue of Liberty tours, helicopter rides, and walking tours around the city. eDreams promotes fine dining, shopping, and family-friendly destinations as well.
Is eDreams legal and safe or a scam?
Is the site generally legal? In all countries?
eDreams is legal in most countries. The agency faced legal challenges in Europe due to sales techniques and a lack of transparency. The brand was fined in Italy in 2011. However, it still serves Italian customers and works with Italian airlines and hotels. The brand faced some problems in the USA in 2015. The Civil Aviation Authority has stated the company has unfair practices.
The company is bound by US law when booking American airlines or destinations and EU law in Europe. People outside these areas may have limited recourse if eDreams does something wrong. Contact the airline or hotel to ensure your credentials are accepted when booking. Some airlines do not allow passengers from flagged countries. Likewise, some destination countries may not allow foreign nationals from countries on banned lists. Ideally, contact an embassy or representative to ensure you are ready for entry.
How high is the chance of being scammed?
There is a significant risk of being scammed using eDreams. It doesn’t accommodate travel changes in most cases. If flights or hotel stays are canceled, eDreams is refunded but will usually not refund customers. Many travelers say they were charged for canceled services, but the company refused to issue any refunds.
Also, the company doesn’t verify or investigate all service providers they work with. While chain hotels and popular airlines are probably trustworthy, eDreams does contract with some unsavory or unverified businesses. You could run into issues with rooms or tours not matching the advertised description.
Does the site contain viruses or malware?
The site doesn’t contain viruses or malware.
Does the site steal sensitive data?
eDreams collects some personal data, like your ID and credit card number. This information is passed on to the airline, hotel, or tour service you book. eDreams itself doesn’t have a history of misusing sensitive data. However, unscrupulous hoteliers, airlines, or individual agents could possibly steal or abuse the data.
We recommend checking out the airline, service, or resort you hope to visit before booking. Choose verified, trustworthy businesses. Chain hotels and hotels catering to business travelers are often reliable. Use well-known airlines and avoid chartered or independent flights unless you’re familiar with the company.
Are there similar fake sites to be aware of?
There are many fake and untrustworthy travel sites on the web. Always evaluate deals and contact hotels or airlines before booking.
Is eDreams reliable and trustworthy?
How good are the company’s overall web ratings?
eDreams has poor to average ratings across various sites. Sitejabber.com gives the company 3.4 out of 5 stars based on 2,095 reviews. Their TrustPilot score is 3.6 based on 116,695 reviews. Yelp gives them 1 star out of 5 based on 212 reviews. The majority of reviewers describe their experiences with eDreams as ‘unsatisfactory,’ ‘unpleasant,’ and ‘terrible.’ Most complaints cited poor customer service, difficulty getting refunds, hidden costs, and lack of transparency.
Does the site have a refund policy?
eDreams has a refund policy, but most clients find it unsatisfactory. To receive a full refund, you must cancel your trip within 1 hour of booking. Refund processing can also take 12 weeks or more, with fees deducted.
How many scam reports are there compared to positive reports?
Most reviewers complained of scams. About 30% of reviewers stated their travel plans had been canceled by the company with no refund or compensation offered. Numerous verified reviewers indicated their flights and hotels had been abruptly canceled at the last minute and that the company had charged them double or triple the price to rebook. 50-90% of reviewers complained about policies like “bait and switch,” no refunds, or being overcharged.
Also, the company has been taken to court repeatedly for unfair practices. They often auto-enroll shoppers in their “prime” service, which costs $60+. Users then need to contact the company and request removal. If they can be removed from the unwanted service, they usually don’t get any refund. Furthermore, eDreams has a “C” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
How reliable is customer support?
eDreams is considered to have poor customer support. Many reviewers indicate the service is inflexible and uncooperative. There are numerous accounts of eDreams agents hanging up on customers or becoming verbally aggressive. Legal action is often required to force cooperation.
The pros and cons of eDreams
- Pro – eDreams books holidays all around the world. It’s easy to find flights, hotels, or vacation rentals in all major cities and many rural destinations.
- Pro – The website is very easy to use and browse.
- Pro – eDreams offers discounts and is sometimes cheaper than its competitors.
- Pro – Holidaymakers can book air travel, hotel, and tours or outings simultaneously.
- Con – The company is unreliable, with many dissatisfied users.
- Con – Cancellation is difficult. Refunds are only offered within 60 minutes of booking.
- Con – Customer service is poor and may not help resolve concerns.
How does eDreams make money?
eDreams makes money by selling hotels, flights, and vacation rentals. They also list amenities, car rentals, tours, and adventure trips vacationers can book. eDreams receives commissions or kickbacks from companies each time someone reserves a service through their website. Many hoteliers and airlines also purchase advertising from eDreams. eDreams then promote their sponsors’ products more heavily and encourages buyers to go with sponsored options.
eDreams has a very strict return policy many would consider unethical. They only give customers one hour to make changes or cancellations. After that time, getting a full or prorated refund is difficult or impossible. eDreams pockets refunds issued by resorts, spas, or airlines rather than issuing refunds to customers. The company also auto-enrolls customers into their subscription service called “Prime.” This costs $60/month and ostensibly offers better discounts. However, customers are not asked before being signed up and are rarely refunded the cost.
Best eDreams Alternatives
Choosing eDreams can be a risky venture. Better quality and reliability can be had by booking with a trusted agency. Here’s a list of the best eDreams alternatives you should check out:
- Travelocity
- JustFly
- Expedia
- Onetravel.com
- Esky.com
- Priceline
- SkyScanner
- Kiwi Flights
- Agoda
- Momondo.com
eDreams FAQs
Q. Does eDreams provide travel across Africa?
A. Yes, eDreams lists hotels, rentals, and flights to many major cities across the continent. A quick search yielded many results for Accra, Giza, Kinshasa, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Freetown, and Dar es Salam.
Q. Does eDreams have flights to New Zealand?
A. Yes, eDreams lists flights to Wellington, Auckland, and more. The company offers flights on airlines like Singapore, Lufthansa, and Emirates airlines.
Q. Can I book hostels or shared accommodations on this site?
A. Yes. A quick search turned up some hostels and dormitories available for budget travelers. There are options for private or shared bathing and toilet facilities.
Q. Does eDreams have cruises?
A. eDreams doesn’t book extended cruises. However, they do provide some options for short cruises, such as sunset cruises or day-long river cruises.
Q. Can I plan a family vacation on this site?
A. Yes, many of the hotels offered welcome children and families. The website also offers a lot of options for planning entertainment and outings with your kids. You and your family can visit many destinations list tours, plays, puppet shows, zoos, and parks. Larger cities typically have dozens of suggestions for free and paid family fun outings.
Q. If my airline cancels the flight, will eDreams automatically reschedule it?
A. If you receive notice that your flight is canceled, contact eDreams promptly. Some travelers did not have their flights rescheduled or refunded. Communicate with an eDreams agent; contact the airline if they aren’t helpful. You should be able to get on a different airline or take a later flight without paying more.
Q. Are there any destinations eDreams won’t provide?
A. eDreams won’t sell flights to or hotels in Iran, Yemen, Syria, North Korea, Somalia, or Libya. You can purchase flights to Afghanistan, but the company doesn’t offer any information about accommodation. eDreams lists flights to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo considered high-risk areas.
Q. I’m not sure about visa or COVID requirements. Will eDreams help?
A. No, eDreams only offers a method for you to book your flights, vacation stays, and activities. They do not negotiate or coordinate with destination countries on any traveler’s behalf. If you plan to leave your home country, do your homework before planning your trip. Contact the embassy of your destination country to enquire about the entry. You should be able to find out whether you will need a visa or other paperwork to enter the country.
You can also talk to a travel specialist in your area. Government and official websites also have this information. COVID testing and vaccination requirements change from place to place. Contact the airline as soon as possible to determine their vaccination and masking policy. You may need to schedule a COVID test and/or vaccine. Each country will also have its own entry requirements.
Furthermore, check with the hotel(s) to see what they require regarding proof of vaccination or negative tests. If you’re traveling with children, be aware that kids’ requirements may differ.