Super.com is a relatively new travel booking website that claims to offer unbeatable hotel deals and savings on flights, rental cars, activities and more. But is Super.com legit? Can you trust this company with your travel bookings and credit card information?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at Super.com, examine customer reviews and complaints, and determine if Super.com is a safe and reliable option for booking affordable travel.
Super.com Review (Overview)
Super.com launched in 2019 as an online travel agency (OTA) with a mission to provide budget-conscious travelers access to heavily discounted rates on hotels, flights and other travel bookings.
The company was founded by technology entrepreneurs Hussein Fazal and Henry Shi, who previously built successful startups together. Super.com has raised over $24 million in venture capital funding to date.
Here are some key things to know about Super.com:
- Focus on hotels and vacation rentals – Super.com mainly specializes in discounted hotel bookings, including major chains and independent properties. They also offer vacation rentals. Flights, rental cars and activities can be booked but hotel deals are their specialty.
- Claim of lowest prices – Super.com claims to consistently offer lower hotel rates than competitors like Expedia and Booking.com. They say rates can be up to 35% cheaper.
- Limited customer service – Support options are primarily limited to email and online chat. There are complaints about long waits and unresolved issues.
- Refund and cancellation policy – Each booking has its own policy set by the property. Refunds or changes are not always allowed. Read policies carefully before booking.
- Credit card required – A valid credit card is required at the time of booking. Properties may also request the card again at check-in.
- No booking fees – Super.com does not charge booking, change or cancellation fees. Taxes and charges from properties still apply.
How Super.com’s Hotel Rates Compare
One of the main draws of Super.com is the promise of rock-bottom hotel rates. But does the site really offer significant savings compared to alternatives?
To find out, we did a sample comparison of rates for the same hotel rooms on various booking sites:
Sample Hotel Rate Comparison
| Hotel | Dates | Super.com Rate | Expedia Rate | Booking.com Rate | Direct Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton San Francisco Union Square | Nov 15-18, 2022 | $319/night | $366/night | $359/night | $359/night |
| Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa | Jan 10-15, 2023 | $419/night | $492/night | $492/night | $492/night |
| Sonesta ES Suites Orlando | Mar 7-11, 2023 | $119/night | $143/night | $139/night | $139/night |
In these examples, Super.com offered a 12-15% discount compared to the next best rate from other major booking sites. Savings were less significant compared to booking directly with the hotel.
We found this to be typical based on further spot checks. Super.com usually beats third-party sites by 10-20% but does not always have the absolute lowest rates.
How Does Super.com Offer Such Cheap Hotel Rates?
You may be wondering – how does Super.com consistently undercut competitors on hotel pricing?
Travel industry experts point to a few key factors that allow the site to secure discounted hotel rates:
- Direct partnerships – Super.com says over 60% of their rates come through direct partnerships with hotels, not via the major booking platforms. Hotels may offer lower “opaque” rates to fill last-minute vacancies.
- Negotiating power – As an OTA focused specifically on hotel bookings, Super.com can negotiate aggressively with chains and independents. Their growing size gives them economies of scale.
- Lower commission – Typical booking sites charge hotels a commission of 15-25% on reservations. Super.com is rumored to charge closer to 8-12%, allowing for lower prices.
- Targeted discounts – Super.com says they use predictive algorithms to forecast demand and identify dates where hotels are likely to have availability. Targeted deals for those periods are offered.
While the exact details of Super.com’s rate sourcing are private, these factors likely all play a role in the cheap pricing.
Is Super.com Legit or Scam?
So, is super.com legit? The most important question remains – can you trust Super.com with your hotel bookings? Is it a legit and reliable site?
Here we look at key factors that determine the trustworthiness of an online travel agency:
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Third-party customer reviews offer insight into real experiences booking through Super.com:
- SiteJabber – 954 reviews, 2.5/5 stars. Many complaints about incorrect or invalid bookings.
- Trustpilot – 29.1K reviews, 3.9/5 stars. Mostly positive recent feedback.
- Google – 4.2 stars across nearly 8,000 reviews. Issues with post-stay customer service.
The Better Business Bureau gives Super.com an NR (No Rating) due to lack of sufficient complaint data.
Expert review site The Vacationer gives Super.com just 2/5 stars, citing poor customer service and frequent booking problems reported by users.
The overall reputation is mixed, with some travel booking issues reported but also many positive reviews.
Valid Licensing and Registration
Super.com’s parent company is Super Travel Holdings Inc., incorporated in Delaware. They are an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
All states that regulate travel sellers require registration. Super.com is properly registered as a seller of travel in these states – another good sign.
Security and Privacy Protections
Super.com uses standard SSL encryption to protect payment information. They do not store full credit card numbers on their servers.
Their privacy policy promises not to share personal data with third parties, except to complete bookings and process payments. Users can opt-out of marketing communications.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
As an OTA, Super.com’s refund and cancellation policies vary by property. Some bookings are fully refundable, while others have strict no refund rules.
This can lead to frustration for customers who aren’t able to get their money back due to the individual policies. It’s important to read all details before booking.
Backed by Major Investors
Super.com has raised significant outside investment from venture capital firms like Inovia Capital and NBA star Stephen Curry:
- Total raised: $24 million
- Investors: Inovia Capital, Main Street Advisors, NBA player Stephen Curry
This major financial backing suggests confidence in the company’s business model and leadership team. But it’s not a guarantee of reliability or performance.
Is super.com legit? Let’s analyse users complaints.
Addressing Common Super.com Complaints
Analyzing common complaints can reveal potential problems to watch out for:
- booking could not be found – Many users report arriving at hotels to find no record of their reservation. Super.com blames invalid credit cards or other technical glitches.
- Poor customer service – Customers describe frustrating experiences trying to reach support agents to resolve issues. Long hold times and unhelpful service are commonly cited.
- Refunds denied – The strict cancellation policies of some bookings mean refunds are not always possible, even for extenuating circumstances.
- Upsells and hidden fees – Some customers feel tricked by upgrade offers or hit with resort fees after booking. The true total cost was not presented upfront.
- Incorrect room details – In some cases, the room details like bed types shown at booking don’t match the actual room received.
While Super.com maintains a reasonable 4/5 star overall rating, these complaints appear frequently across reviews. However, the majority of bookings seem to go smoothly.
Expert Tips for Using Super.com
Is super.com legit? Here are some expert tips for getting the best experience using Super.com:
Compare rates – Always cross-check deals against hotel direct rates and other sites. Super.com has cheap prices but is not 100% guaranteed to be the lowest.
Beware limited refundability – Many discounted rates are non-refundable. Make sure to carefully review policies before booking.
Book early – Last-minute deals have the highest risk of issues. Give yourself time to address any problems.
Call support immediately – If you encounter any discrepancy or problem, call support right away to start resolving it. Don’t wait.
Verify reservation – Double check with the hotel that your reservation is in their system shortly after booking for extra assurance.
Use a credit card – Pay with a credit card whenever possible to take advantage of added cardholder protections if issues arise.
Is Super.com Right for You?
Super.com makes sense for certain types of travelers and situations:
Good for
- Extreme budget travelers willing to risk complications for lowest rates
- Flexible travelers with minimal chance of changing plans
- Early planners who book well in advance
- Group or event bookings needing significant room blocks
Not ideal for
- Travelers wanting maximum flexibility and refundability
- First-time or nervous travelers unwilling to risk issues
- Senior travelers requiring highly responsive support
- Last-minute, spontaneous bookings
Is Super.com Legit: Our Verdict
Based on this in-depth analysis of Super.com, we can comfortably say it is a legitimate travel booking site, but there are some caveats:
- Discounted hotel rates are truly available, but customer service deficiencies remain an issue.
- For savvy, flexible travelers, huge savings are possible. But it’s riskier for trips where a seamless experience is critical.
- They are a real registered business with significant backing. However, you may encounter more post-booking support issues compared to established OTAs.
- Booking early maximizes both savings and the ability to address problems. Last-minute bookings are riskiest.
In summary, Super.com has its advantages, but travelers should carefully weigh the risks and downsides before booking. Understanding their strengths as well as pain points allows you to make an informed decision.
For certain travelers flexible on hotels, Super.com can unlock some amazing deals. But more cautious travelers may prefer booking through longtime industry leaders like Expedia or Booking.com.
Super.com shows the hotel booking market continues to rapidly evolve. The rise of disruptors makes finding deals easier than ever for savvy travelers. Just remember the caveat “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Carefully read the fine print and book at your own risk to maximize the incredible potential savings at Super.com.
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