Travel rewards have apparently been good
for business at Expedia and for its credit card-based rewards
provider, Citi.
That was in
evidence last week when the two companies expanded their
partnership to introduce Expedia's ThankYou Rewards
Network.
Expedia said it had
reached an agreement with Citi, the world's largest credit card
provider, to launch the Citi Premier/Expedia.com Card to Expedia
members.
The company said
more than 1 million Expedia customers had signed up for its
ThankYou Rewards Network in the past year and claimed that Citi's
PremierPass Card had become recognized as among the best of airline
rewards credit card programs.
"We heard from our
customers that they want a way to earn points for all of their
travel and across travel brands," said Paul Brown, president of
Expedia North America. "They also want the ability to redeem their
points for travel when they want, without blackout dates. This card
does all of that, and we believe it significantly enhances the
value of the ThankYou Network on Expedia."
Expedia said the
new program enabled cardholders to rack up ThankYou points for all
purchases made on the credit card and additional points for all
eligible travel booked through Expedia.com as well as points for miles flown
on any airline. The combination of rewards opportunities is unique,
the company said.
"At Citi, we
continually look for ways to increase value to our customers," said
Terry O'Neil, executive vice president of Citi's credit card
division.
"Our expanded
relationship with Expedia and the new ... card deliver on this
commitment by providing accelerated earning potential to Expedia
and Citi customers who acquire the card and book their travel
through Expedia.com."
No blackout dates for reward travel
Expedia said
cardholders would have a greater choice of methods to redeem awards
under the new program and could choose to apply accumulated reward
points to any flight booked with Expedia, without blackout
dates.
The cards carry
options that establish a rewards program if consumers elect to
establish a no-fee account, the company noted, which include three
points for each dollar spent at Expedia and two points for travel
booked through the online travel Web site.
Consumers will also
get one point for every three air miles flown on any airline and a
$50 credit from the first eligible card purchase.
A card with an
annual fee has expanded reward options, the company said, including
up to three points for every $1 spent on Expedia
transactions.
Here's how the
three points are broken down: two points for eligible travel
purchased on Expedia.com and one additional point for a hotel
booking, an air-hotel booking, a cruise booking or an activity
booking over $50 purchased at Expedia.com, when the customer's
membership account is registered.
To contact reporter Dan Luzadder, send e-mail to [email protected].