I don't perceive any "sides" here, just different collections of input, experience, and opinion. I experienced conversations with Expedia that indicated no concern about the construction and terminal situation at O'Hare, even though they knew about it. And of course I did do the research beforehand, which is how I knew the ATS was down Monday through Friday and arrived prepared for the bus haul. What I did not know, and what is not on any of the website info pages that I've found, is that the TSA closes all security checkpoints in the airport except for the one in Terminal 2. This is information that should be readily available through a "travel" broker, but wasn't.

An hour and a half layover should be plenty of time to make a connection. But when extenuating circumstances prevail, the vendor selling any affected product should advise the customer or make adjustments in their product. In this case, the Expedia representative indicated that it didn't matter if they knew about the checkpoint closure and ATS shutdown, because the legal window is what they go by even if it strands their customers. He did agree to open a case on it, but I have little confidence the matter will be pursued because there is no "legal" onus on them to do so.

There was no legal onus on United, either, but they immediately recognized the issue and provided relief out of good business practice and ethics. And this is precisely my point. I'm not arguing that I'd win a case against Expedia in court. I'm arguing that ethics matter, and will guarantee my repeat business with United, and ensure that I will never entrust travel plans for myself or any loved ones to Expedia ever again.-