Regulatory authorities fined Trip.com Group Limited a total of 5.179 billion yuan for abusing its dominant market position, igniting widespread public approval. The penalty follows two major incidents: first, the State Administration for Market Regulation's July 25 ruling on monopolistic practices, and second, a case where a user reported receiving only a 400 yuan refund on a 15,000 yuan airline ticket, prompting a rare public response from the company after days of backlash.
Online sentiment has been overwhelmingly critical, with top comments under official media reports declaring the penalty "well-deserved." One viral remark noted that while users previously complained about visible "choose one" policies, now pricing algorithms have quietly taken over decision-making. The core issue isn't affecting consumer prices directly but rather involves unfair policies toward merchants, including demands for below-cost pricing that ultimately degrade service quality.
Many users have come forward with personal grievances, particularly about price discrimination where loyal customers see higher prices than new users. One user with nearly 10 million followers reported that their top-tier membership account showed higher rates for flights and hotels compared to family members' devices. Celebrity economist Lang Xianping also shared similar experiences, while media commentator Hu Xigang questioned the company's unusually high profit margins, calling it abnormal for an intermediary with no heavy assets or cutting-edge technology to achieve a 53% profit rate in 2025.
Small business owners have also voiced complaints. A tech influencer who operates a guesthouse listed on the platform confirmed experiencing demands for "lowest price guarantees" and exclusive listings. Other notable figures including a former Hubei richest man and a football personality recounted personal experiences with meager refunds on expensive tickets, with the latter calling the company's practices "ugly" for bundling unnecessary insurance and fees.
The penalties specifically address conduct since 2020, when the company began aggressively pursuing profits after consolidating its market position through acquisitions of competitors like Qunar and Tongcheng. Financial data shows a dramatic shift: while 2018 revenues of 31 billion yuan yielded only 1.1 billion in profit, by 2025 revenues had doubled to 62.4 billion yuan while profits skyrocketed 30 times to nearly 33.3 billion yuan, with net margins exceeding 50%.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
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