We looked at what people ask most about Trip.com on Google, in travel groups and in reviews. The same three questions keep coming up. Here are short, straight answers, plus the Trip.com codes worth knowing.
The short version
- Legit? Yes. It’s a listed company (NASDAQ: TCOM) that has been around since 1999 and owns Skyscanner.
- Why so cheap? Bulk deals, app prices and promos. The catch: the cheapest fares are often non-refundable.
- Refunds? My Trips → booking → Cancel. Card refunds for flights take about 7–15 business days.
- New user? TRIPFLIGHT26 is listed for up to US$15 off your first flight.
1. Is Trip.com legit and safe to book?
Yes. Trip.com belongs to Trip.com Group, which started as Ctrip in Shanghai in 1999. It’s listed on NASDAQ (TCOM) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (9961), and it owns Skyscanner. It’s one of the biggest online travel agencies in the world.
Most bad reviews follow the same pattern: someone booked a non-refundable fare and then needed to cancel. That’s the airline’s or hotel’s rule, not a scam, but it’s worth reading the fare rules before you pay.
2. Why is Trip.com so cheap?
Trip.com buys flights and rooms in bulk, gives lower prices in the app and to members, runs online only, and pushes a lot of promos and new-user coupons. On top of that, you earn Trip Coins on every booking (100 coins = US$1 off later).
The catch: the lowest price is often a basic fare without checked bags, or a room you can’t cancel. Compare the same fare type before deciding it’s cheaper.
3. How do I cancel and get a refund?
In the app or on the site: My Trips → pick the booking → Cancel → check the refund amount → Submit.
- Flights: how much you get back depends on the fare type and the airline’s fees. Refunds to a card usually take 7–15 business days, 3–7 to PayPal or an e-wallet, and up to 30 by bank transfer.
- Hotels: look for the Free cancellation tag and cancel before the deadline on your booking. Non-refundable rooms and no-shows are charged in full.
Trip.com codes
Trip.com codes and coupons
| Code | What you get | |
|---|---|---|
TRIPFLIGHT26 | Up to US$15 off your first flight booking. New Trip.com users · listed until 31 Dec 2026 | Open Trip.com → |
| Claim in the app | 10% off your first hotel booking (capped by region). New Trip.com users · pay in USD, SGD or THB | Open Trip.com → |
RC20OFF | 20% off a UK Railcard. New Trip.com users · ends 31 Dec 2026 · try UKRA20 if rejected | Open Trip.com → |
TRIPFLIGHT26 and the hotel coupon are listed on Trip.com’s own promo-code page. RC20OFF is from Trip.com’s affiliate feed. We haven’t tested them at checkout, and Trip.com can change or pull a code at any time. Paste the code on the payment page and check that the total drops before you pay.
All current offers are on our Trip.com page. Want to get more out of every booking? Read Trip Coins explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trip.com legit?
Yes. Trip.com is owned by Trip.com Group, which started as Ctrip in 1999, is listed on NASDAQ (TCOM) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and owns Skyscanner. Most complaints are about non-refundable fares, so read the fare rules before you pay.
Why is Trip.com so cheap?
It buys flights and hotel rooms in bulk, offers lower app and member prices, runs online only and runs frequent promotions. The cheapest fares are often non-refundable or exclude checked bags, so compare like for like.
How long does a Trip.com refund take?
For flights, refunds to a credit or debit card usually take 7–15 business days, 3–7 business days to PayPal or an e-wallet, and up to 30 business days by bank transfer. The amount depends on the fare rules.
Sources: Trip.com’s help and Q&A pages on refunds, cancellations and pricing, and Trip.com Group’s investor information. Rules can differ by airline, hotel and country, so the booking page is the final word. Last checked: 13 October 2026. We may earn a commission from links on this page.
