Utah investigating collusion claims against Expedia
Utah’s attorney general has opened an investigation against Expedia Group alleging possible price collusion with a number of major hotel chains.
Bloomberg reports the AG’s office is looking at Expedia’s communications with chains including Marriott International, Hyatt and Hilton over restricting competition to buy Google ads.
It came to light in a lawsuit filed last December by TravelPass Group LLC, which accused hotel chains and Expedia of restricting the ability to buy ads, and so reducing consumer choice.
Utah attorney general Sean Reyes’ office said it found ‘reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Utah Antitrust Act has occurred.’
The initial lawsuit alleges Expedia coordinated non-compete actions among the hotel chains and forced Expedia affiliates including TravelPass to comply or face losing access to Expedia’s inventory.
"The defendant hotels’ illegal activities have severely reduced, and in many cases even eliminated, the revolutionary benefits of the internet economy for hotel consumers," TravelPass wrote in its lawsuit.
Other companies named as defendants include Choice Hotels International, Red Roof Inns and Wyndham.
TravelPass is currently in an arbitration proceeding with Expedia although it was forced to comply with Utah’s request for relevant documents relating to the action.
The AG’s office said other states have now joined the investigation.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025