US: Expedia Group has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp., bringing together their respective loyalty programmes to offer Bing users additional rewards on bookings powered by Expedia.
In addition to earning Microsoft Rewards, travellers booking eligible accommodation on Bing [Microsoft’s search engine] will also be able to earn rewards through Expedia Group’s brands, including its One Key travel rewards programme in US and UK points of sale.
It marks the first time that Expedia Group will combine its rapid API technology and One Key travel rewards programme. Through rapid API, Microsoft Bing users will be able to benefit from Expedia Group’s end-to-end booking experience with access to a supply of more than 750,000 hotels and holiday rentals around the world, competitive rates and customer service.
Alfonso Paredes, president of private label solutions at Expedia Group, said: “We are excited to join forces with Microsoft to offer Bing users more ways to earn, redeem and travel the world. Our unique partnership underscores the importance of travel within loyalty programmes and its ability to amplify value, variety and member retention.
“In today’s competitive landscape, differentiation in loyalty programmes is crucial and earning rewards from both of our brands drives the value and flexibility consumers crave,” added Paredes.
The expansive rewards collaboration reflects the latest industry push towards more flexibility in earning and redemption options in loyalty programmes, according to both companies.
According to Arrivia’s 2024 Travel Outlook, 56 per cent of brands want to introduce new rewards and / or earning and redemption options, up from 47 per cent two years ago.
Reid Maker, partner GM, Microsoft Rewards, said: “We continue to focus on providing Bing users with more value while they search. By integrating Bing Travel with the Microsoft Rewards programme, we are creating a unique value proposition for travellers, rewarding them with a programme that is easy, simple and beneficial.
“Our partnership with Expedia Group is a compelling way to ensure our users have access to a wide variety of lodging experiences from a trusted travel platform while using Bing,” added Maker.
The accommodation shopping and booking experience is now live in 16 markets around the world, including the United States and Canada. Expedia Group is also the preferred provider in the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia.
Expedia Group announced the UK launch of One Key, its flexible loyalty programme which launched in the United States last year, in September.
And earlier this month, British newspaper the Financial Times linked multinational ride-hailing service firm Uber with a potential acquisition of Expedia.
