Expedia Service Fees Settlement – you in?
August 24th, 2009. By AbiK
Darn right I’m in. Not because there’s potentially $123.4 million on the table. Not because I’m really, really ticked off about paying those bundled “tax recovery charge” and “service fees”. Not because I have any bone to pick with the travel industry or Expedia itself. What gives? The folks managing the Expedia class action settlement election form process have made it EASY to play.
Just the other day there was a little email in my inbox (truthfully, I get a lot of emails that start out: “Notice of Settlement” or some other legalese—so it didn’t exactly stand out at first). When I opened it, I dreaded the never-ending diarrhea of legal verbiage that so often accompanies these “notices”. Not gonna lie, this one’s got it, too.
But if you take the time to click thru to the election form pages, you’ll see that your options are simple:
- Tell them you want a cash settlement (i.e., please just send a check)
- Tell them you’d like a credit (i.e., get a break on a future Expedia purchase)
- Object to the settlement (i.e., write in to say why you don’t agree with the settlement)
- Opt out (i.e., you get nada…zip…nil…zero…nothing—gladly)
The real easy and pleasurable part in all this is that the cash pay-out and credit election forms only require that you submit your name, address, email, alternate names and emails you may have purchased a hotel stay with (I won’t touch that one), and a few check boxes to indicate you’re telling the truth and you don’t work for Expedia. Hit submit. Voila—you’re officially “in”.
Want to play? Here’s what you need to be considered “part of the class” to qualify for any part of the settlement:
You need to have “made a “standalone” hotel reservation through Expedia between January 10, 2001 and June 11, 2008 and paid a bundled “Tax Recovery Charge” and “Service Fee” in connection with that booking…
and/or
…you made any hotel reservation (either “standalone,” or as part of a “package” including airfare and/or car rental) through Expedia between February 18, 2003 and December 11, 2006 and paid a “Tax Recovery Charge” and “Service Fee” charge in connection with that booking”
To opt into the Expedia settlement, see more info here.
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I got this e-mail too, and I think I'm just going to go with a cash settlement, because I don't know how the settlement credit option will work out. A check just seems easier than relying on a website to give my account credit.
So is this legit? I got an email too. Am still kinda leery of the whole thing…
Hi C,
Yes, it's legit. Also, the Garden City Group is a well-known administrator of legal services –they handle administration and processing of many class action settlements–so when you see their name on the link from the Expedia email, don't think it's some spammer–they are a legitimate company. Also, keep in mind the cut-off dates for submitting your information for the settlement (or opting out)–they're on the email (November 11th for opting out or objecting, December 31st for election form submission). Hope this helps…
Hi Jenna Cara,
I'm with you…take the cash! Thanks for your comment.
How long does it take to receive the cash/credit settlement from day of filing?
Hi Sumit Madan,
Try calling the settlement administrator at 1-866-291-7340. When you submit your Expedia settlement election form, be sure to include any and all email addresses you may have used over the time period involved.
Hi Mari,
Well, you'll have a bit of a wait. The final Expedia settlement approval hearing is slated for December 1st, 2009. That's why objections to the proposed settlement need to be submitted before then (by November 11th). As a potential member of the class action, you have until December 31st, 2009 to submit your election form should you choose to be included for a cash payment or credit toward a future Expedia purchase. For more information on when exactly checks or credit vouchers may be mailed out, try contacting the settlement administrator at 1-866-291-7340.
Hi, do you know what the price range for the charges?!? I just want to get an idea of what I will be getting in return if I do file a claim. Thank you.
My email address has changed and I was able to change the new address today only. How can I get this email?
Any suggestions?
Thanks a lot for the info!
Hi Mari…Happy to help! Good luck…let us know how you make out!
Hi Jessica,
Yes–and who wouldn’t want to know? For the Expedia settlement, it first depends on how many and what bookings (i.e., purchases) you made through Expedia.com. That’s your baseline. Then, the proposed settlement would give you 30% of any service fees you paid for those reservations that would be covered for a cash payout election. For a credit voucher, no surprise, the settlement would be greater: 65% of the service fees paid for covered reservations. Note–given that the final Expedia Settlement hearing is on December 11th, 2009, that’s when these percentages are finalized–what I’m quoting now are the proposed percentages. The finalized ones may be adjusted slightly downward–or upward! The one thing the settlement administrator is saying is certain is that a credit payout will be 2.17 times greater than a cash one. So, take your pick–but if you’re eligible for the Expedia settlement, it’s at least worth something to you.
If you need more info, you can also call the settlement administrator at 1-866-291-7340. Good luck!
How do I get my part?
Hi William, The easiest way to submit your claim for the Expedia settlement is to call the settlement administrator at 1-866-291-7340. They’ll ask you for some basic information and can direct you from there. Good luck–and let us know how you make out! – Abi
I recieved a post card notifying me of the settlement. When I went on to the website to sign up for the cash settlement it requires a control number and registration number. Problem is.. they only give me one number located above my address. This is where they say I should find both numbers. Help please!
Hi Cathy, You can still submit a claim for the Expedia settlement even if you do not have both the control number and the registration number readily available. If you go to the website of the claims administrator (servicefeessettlement.com), and opt to either fill out a claim for a cash or a credit election, scroll down the page and you’ll see a link that allows you to submit your information even if you do not have the “required” numbers. Simply follow the instructions to submit your information. You can also call the claims administrator at 866-291-7340. Hope this helps! – Abi
Dear admin,
Cathy points out that the lawyer postcard shows only one number, not that they are not readily available. I know this is splitting hairs, but that is what lawyers also do. Just wondering why the postcard does not show both numbers.
Hi Bill, I'd love to be able to answer that one, but I'm not holding Cathy's postcard in my hand so I can't hypothesize what happened–and I received my notification via email with both numbers present and accounted for. Yes, lawyers do split hairs–however, the claims administrator is not a law firm, therefore, what lawyers do or don't do is irrelevant, and in terms of your own proclivity to split hairs–go for it–and I agree with you. If someone states that something will be a certain way, it should be as stated. Period. In the interim, to best help Cathy achieve the end goal of obtaining her cut of the Expedia settlement, she at least has a work-around solution that does not require the missing number (compliments of the claims administrator who clearly had some foresight re: "things gone wrong") Thanks for your comment Bill! -Abi
Dear admin,
I was speaking from first hand info, my Expedia postcard includes only one number.
Cheers,
Bill
Hi Bill, Now you're talking. Clearly the claims administrators had a little screw up there. However, at least they've provided ample means to still file your claim…Thanks Bill, -Abi
I did not receive the e-mail, but did get the postcard. It states that “Plantiffs’ Counsel’s request for attorneys fees and expenses of up to $10 million …” I tell you, with the actual members of the class (those who supposedly lost money because of Expedia’s actions) receiving 30% of paid service fees while the lawyers walk away with up to $10 million, that right there is enough to object to the settlement.
Class action lawsuits do nothing to benefit the people who were hurt while the lawyers take in millions. It’s disgusting.
Hi DJ, Well, at first glance I'm with you. However, let's look at the numbers. The settlement is for $123.4 million. The lawyers stand to make "up to" $10 million on top of that if the court approves their fee petition. So in all, Expedia would be coughing up $133.4 million–of which the potential $10 million for the lawyers represents roughly 7.5%. Considering there are lawsuits where the fees are in the 20-30% range, the Expedia settlement lawyers fees aren't earth-shattering. Additionally, you have to remember that the lawyers work out-of-pocket throughout the case and only get paid (reimbursed) for expenses and time worked if the case is won. The courts determine the lawyers fees based on a number of factors including how difficult the case is, the quality of the work done by the lawyers, the risks involved, etc–so it's not a slam-dunk for the lawyers. Also, it's not like one lawyer pockets $10 million–far from it. There's lead counsel on a class action, but there's typically a heck of a lot of attorneys and their staffs involved, so that $10 million can start looking pretty ho-hum after you account for everyone involved and the associated overhead. Think about it, the history of this Expedia settlement dates back to January 2005, when the first lawsuit was filed–over 4 years. That's a lot of billable hours that some attorneys have spent on this for the plaintiffs–all while not being able to submit an invoice to anyone. I'm not saying the system is completely infallable and that we should shed a tear for the lawyers–no, but we do need to look at both sides of the equation. ps, the 30% of paid service fees is indeed what you get if you opt for the cash settlement; it's roughly 65% if you opt for a credit; -Abi
Abi, you’ve provided a detailed and well constructed explanation of the reason behind the “up to” $10 million award. And you are of course correct. It just seems so unfair. And I honestly don’t know what to do. Sure, I’d like to receive some cash/credit, but I had only one reservation made through Expedia so my award would be minimal. Yet, if I do participate, it’s a tacit approval of the very thing I just complained about. I’m so confused …
Hi DJ, Go with your conscience. You won't feel any better if by hoisting the white flag of surrender you walk away with a small sum and feel at odds with yourself. Look, you have to believe in what you're doing. For what it's worth, I'm with you when it comes to a number of other lawsuits–the one attorney Alfred Rava brought against the Oakland A's because he didn't get his floppy hat is a case in point; it was absurd. And I'm certain you'll find a number of attorneys out there who agree with me on that one. Expedia, however, was screwing travellers out of money via their fees–and they should be called on the carpet for it. All I can say is you've got to go with what you're comfortable with and be thankful we have a system that allows you to do such. Let us know where you net out! -Abi
I’ll take the cash settlement, What do I do now.
Hi Calbert, Go to the Expedia settlement claims administrator's website, servicefeessettlement.com, or call them at 866-291-7340. You'll be able to submit your details to opt in for the cash settlement there. Good luck! -Abi
I just go for cash settlement,It about time
I to opt in to the settlement
Would like more information and requirements.
Hi Jane, Thanks for your question. For the Expedia Settlement, you have until November 11th to opt out or object to it; if you'd like to submit a claim to opt in for either a cash payout or credit, you have until December 31st to do so. Simply visit the claims administrator at servicefeessettlement.com, or call them at 866-291-7340. Either way, you'll be able to submit your information for a claim–or, if you prefer, opt out. Hope this helps! -Abi
would like more information
Hi Daniel, Let me know what type of information you're looking for on the Expedia settlement–are you just trying to find out how to submit a claim for this settlement? If so, you can submit a claim form–which allows you to either opt for a cash payout or credit–up until December 31st. In order to do so, simply visit the claims administrator at servicefeessettlement.com, or call them at 866-291-7340. If you'd prefer to opt out of the settlement or object to it, you have until November 11th to do so. Hope this helps, let us know if you have other questions! -Abi
I would like to receive my settlement in cash. thaks.
Hi Olga, Great! But I hope in order to receive your Expedia settlement that you've visited the Expedia Settlement claims administrator’s website at servicefeessettlement.com, or your can call them at 866-291-7340. You’ll be able to submit your details to opt in for the cash settlement there. Good luck! -Abi
I'm in, I've used expedia a few times in the past eight years I'm dissapointed to hear that all my hard earned savings for a vacation could have went to more of my vacation other than a fee that was non-existant.
Hi Ebony, Thanks for your comment–and I’m with you! Even if the Expedia settlement only works out to be a small amount due back to you, me and others, it’s also the principle of it…-Abi
Most definitely count me in,I had to cut my stay short. I had a family emergency and they refused to give me any credit at the time.
Hi Michele…I’m with you! Don’t forget, you only have until December 31st to opt into the Expedia Settlement; so if you’d like to submit a claim to opt in for either a cash payout or credit, you should do so soon. Simply visit the claims administrator at servicefeessettlement.com, or call them at 866-291-7340. Either way, you’ll be able to submit your information for a claim. Hope this helps! -Abi
Please help me. I Need To Sue Expedia. They have messed up a trip that was for an operation. I am about to go to the hospital over this. I just had surgery and I am stressed and crying from these money hungry people that messed up my flight, rental, and managed to mess up even our names. Now I am stuck in ontario after my operation, I must stay till Monday to get stitches out and they have me leaving saturday. Please Someone help!! 5309214403 I am about to have a sever panic attack