Class action lawsuit filed against travel websites, hotels
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SEATTLE -- A class action lawsuit on behalf of American consumers was filed Monday against several major travel websites and some of the nation's largest hotel operators.
The suit claims the two groups conspired to use their dominance in the marketplace to fix prices on hotel rooms across the country.
The suit, which was filed in California District Court, argues that customers have been overpaying for hotel rooms. That's not sitting well with consumers like Frank Farrow.
"Well, that's just not right," Farrow said.
Farrow is just one of many customers outraged by news that he may have been taken by websites that were supposed to save him money.
Among those named in the lawsuit are Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline and Bellevue-based Expedia. Several of the country's most popular hotel chains, including Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott, are also named in the suit.
According to the complaint, online travel sites account for as much as 50 percent of all hotel bookings in the United States.
"Most of us don't have a lot of money to spend right now, so it's going to make us very disappointed and a lot of people very upset," said Clem Harper, who travels for work.
Travel experts predict the lawsuit could protect hotel customers in the future.
"If this goes through and the baseline is shattered, that is good for the consumers because then we'll see the rates actually fluctuating," said Steve Danishek of TMA Travel.
While rates may fluctuate, so will the backlash from consumers.
"It's going to make everybody feel like they have to double check everything for a while," said Jack Risner, who travels for work.
Representatives from several hotel chains and travel websites were asked to comment on the suit, but so far nobody has responded.
The suit claims the two groups conspired to use their dominance in the marketplace to fix prices on hotel rooms across the country.
The suit, which was filed in California District Court, argues that customers have been overpaying for hotel rooms. That's not sitting well with consumers like Frank Farrow.
"Well, that's just not right," Farrow said.
Farrow is just one of many customers outraged by news that he may have been taken by websites that were supposed to save him money.
Among those named in the lawsuit are Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline and Bellevue-based Expedia. Several of the country's most popular hotel chains, including Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott, are also named in the suit.
According to the complaint, online travel sites account for as much as 50 percent of all hotel bookings in the United States.
"Most of us don't have a lot of money to spend right now, so it's going to make us very disappointed and a lot of people very upset," said Clem Harper, who travels for work.
Travel experts predict the lawsuit could protect hotel customers in the future.
"If this goes through and the baseline is shattered, that is good for the consumers because then we'll see the rates actually fluctuating," said Steve Danishek of TMA Travel.
While rates may fluctuate, so will the backlash from consumers.
"It's going to make everybody feel like they have to double check everything for a while," said Jack Risner, who travels for work.
Representatives from several hotel chains and travel websites were asked to comment on the suit, but so far nobody has responded.
