CheapTickets.com has introduced two programs designed to attract bargain hunters: a loyalty program called CheapCash, which lets travelers earn rewards and redeem them on the same trip, and a hotel comparison-pricing program that pits CheapTickets' hotel rates against those of its competitors.
Travelers can earn $50 in CheapCash when booking any flight on CheapTickets.com.
The website increases rewards for mobile bookings, where consumers can earn on both air and hotel. They earn $75 when booking a flight ($50 plus a $25 bonus) and $25 when booking a hotel ($25 app bonus).
Consumers can apply that CheapCash to a hotel booking on the same trip or save it to use later; however, CheapCash must be used within 30 days. The travel must be completed within a year.
The instant-redemption concept is similar to sister company Orbitz's reward program Orbucks. However, the programs differ in that CheapTickets consumers travel less than Orbitz customers and are less focused on building up points and more focused on getting a good deal, according to Gayle Pigatto, general manager of CheapTickets.
During the soft launch of CheapCash, CheapTickets found that a third of its customers redeemed their rewards on the same day that they earn them, which is different from Orbitz customers, who plan further out, Pigatto said.
In addition, CheapTickets has introduced a hotel comparison-shopping feature that compares CheapTickets' hotel rates with the rates of up to four of its competitors.
If the CheapTickets.com price is higher, the company will match the lower price plus give the customer $50 in CheapCash through its new Best Price Guarantee.
CheapTickets.com also offers "Cheap of the Week," a promotion in which it gives customers up to 20% off a selection of hotels. Customers can earn CheapCash on these bookings, as well.
Cheap of the Week customers take longer trips than others, Pigatto said, and they appear to be reinvesting their savings into making their vacation longer.