Expedia Group Teams Up with Microsoft Bing to Unveil Fresh Loyalty Benefits for Travelers

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Expedia Group and Microsoft Corp. have entered into a strategic alliance, linking their loyalty schemes to enhance benefits for Bing users when they book through Expedia. Now, users can accrue Microsoft Rewards and also earn perks from Expedia Group’s brands, such as the One Key travel rewards program available in the US and UK.

This collaboration follows closely after Expedia Group was named a 2024 Inc. Power Partner, celebrating its role as a key player in business growth through its Private Label Solutions. These solutions are utilized by over 60,000 businesses globally, leveraging technologies like Rapid API and White Label Template to provide comprehensive travel booking services, from hotels and vacation rentals to flights and car rentals.

This initiative is a debut for Expedia Group, integrating its pioneering Rapid API technology with the One Key travel rewards program. This integration offers Bing users an enhanced booking process, a wide selection of over 750,000 properties worldwide, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.

“We are excited to join forces with Microsoft to offer Bing users more ways to earn, redeem, and travel the world,” says Alfonso Paredes, President of Private Label Solutions at Expedia Group. “Our unique partnership underscores the importance of travel within loyalty programs and its ability to amplify value, variety and member retention. In today’s competitive landscape, differentiation in loyalty programs is crucial and earning rewards from both of our brands drives the value and flexibility consumers crave.” 

Reflecting a broader trend in the industry for more adaptable loyalty reward structures, this partnership aims to provide greater flexibility in how rewards are earned and used. According to Arrivia’s 2024 Travel Outlook, there’s a growing shift among brands to innovate their reward structures, with a significant increase in brands looking to add new options for earning and redeeming points.

“We continue to focus on providing Bing users with more value while they search. By integrating Bing Travel with the Microsoft Rewards program, we are creating a unique value proposition for travelers, rewarding them with a program that is easy, simple, and beneficial” said Reid Maker, Partner GM, Microsoft Rewards. “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.”

The updated lodging booking experience, supported by Expedia Group, is now available in 16 international markets, including the US, Canada, UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Australia, establishing Expedia Group as the favored provider in these regions.