Expedia Group (No. 2 on Travel Weekly’s Power List) and Microsoft announced Tuesday that they are joining forces to link their loyalty programs.
Consumers booking accommodations on Bing Travel through Expedia Group brands will be able to earn both Microsoft Rewards and rewards offered by those brands, including One Key rewards in the U.S. and the U.K.
Alfonso Paredes, president of private label solutions at Expedia Group, said the company is excited to link up with Microsoft to offer more access to rewards for travelers using Bing.
“Our unique partnership underscores the importance of travel within loyalty programs and its ability to amplify value, variety and member retention,” Paredes said. “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.”
The partnership also marks the first time Expedia Group has paired its Rapid API technology with its One Key program. The Rapid API provides Bing users with Expedia Group’s end-to-end booking capabilities with access to more than 750,000 hotels and short-term rentals across the globe.
The companies’ collaboration is an example of the industry’s push to offer more flexibility for earning and redemption through loyalty programs, Expedia said.
Reid Maker, partner general manager of Microsoft Rewards, said that the company is continuing to hone in on giving Bing users more value.
“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,” Maker said.
The partnership is live in 16 markets around the world including the U.S., Italy, U.K., Canada, France, Spain, New Zealand, Mexico, Australia and Singapore.
Expedia Group has been expanding its B2B partnerships. Last year, it partnered with Air Miles and Afterpay building on its list of past deals with partners including Walmart and Mastercard.
Source: PhocusWire
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