Expedia Enables Customers to Travel with Points
Online travel site Expedia.com revealed a new functionality that enables Expedia+ rewards members to redeem earned points towards merchant hotel purchases.
The concept is that Expedia wants its Expedia+ rewards members to Travel with Points. The site first introduced this in its hotel checkout, so rewards members shopping for a standalone hotel had the opportunity to apply their points directly to their hotel balance. Travelers told Expedia they want booking, earning, and redeeming travel to be simple, so the new functionality embraces that notion.
Now, customers can 'stay with points’ on Expedia, but the company plans on expanding this capability so they can 'fly with points,' 'go on excursions with points,' and a range of other options in the future.
Expedia+ rewards benefits remain valid when traveling with points, so travelers can still earn double the value for their points when redeemed at +VIP Access hotels. And unlike other online travel agency rewards redemption programs, customers paying for travel with points are also able to apply Expedia.com promotional coupons.
Previously, Expedia.com customers had to turn their points into a coupon before applying the coupon to their hotel price. Expedia has since made the process easier: when customers arrive at the checkout page, they will see qualifying points that can be applied directly to their transaction. Members can use as many of their earned Expedia+ rewards points as they desire for a given merchant hotel transaction, and potentially bring the cost of their purchase down to $0.
All travelers are eligible to join Expedia's free rewards program. Logged-in members will earn points on any type of product they book with Expedia.
The concept is that Expedia wants its Expedia+ rewards members to Travel with Points. The site first introduced this in its hotel checkout, so rewards members shopping for a standalone hotel had the opportunity to apply their points directly to their hotel balance. Travelers told Expedia they want booking, earning, and redeeming travel to be simple, so the new functionality embraces that notion.
Now, customers can 'stay with points’ on Expedia, but the company plans on expanding this capability so they can 'fly with points,' 'go on excursions with points,' and a range of other options in the future.
Expedia+ rewards benefits remain valid when traveling with points, so travelers can still earn double the value for their points when redeemed at +VIP Access hotels. And unlike other online travel agency rewards redemption programs, customers paying for travel with points are also able to apply Expedia.com promotional coupons.
Previously, Expedia.com customers had to turn their points into a coupon before applying the coupon to their hotel price. Expedia has since made the process easier: when customers arrive at the checkout page, they will see qualifying points that can be applied directly to their transaction. Members can use as many of their earned Expedia+ rewards points as they desire for a given merchant hotel transaction, and potentially bring the cost of their purchase down to $0.
All travelers are eligible to join Expedia's free rewards program. Logged-in members will earn points on any type of product they book with Expedia.