Update 5/6/22: Program will be called One Key and will launch in 2023.
Update: Expedia has now announced changes to its loyalty program from February 2022 onwards. It’s unclear if this is part of the changes to Expedia incorporating the other sites in it’s portfolio discussed below but I suspect it is.
- 100 points = $1 (previously it was 140 points = $1) towards redemptions. Existing points will be rebalanced to reflect this change (e.g if you currently have 14,000 points you’ll only see 10,000 points on February 1)
- Earning rates are now 1 point per $1 spent (previously 2 points per $1 spent)
- Silver & Gold status now earn 1 bonus point (silver) or 2 bonus points (gold) per $1 spent (previously it was a 10/30% bonus)
- Status extended through February 28, 2023
- Trip elements will replace room nights and spend for qualifying status.
- Earning, trip elements must be at least $25 after discounts:
- 1 night = 1 trip element (2 nights = 2 trip elements).
- 1 flight = 1 trip element
- Status tiers:
- Silver: 10 trip elements
- Gold: 25: trip elements
- Earning, trip elements must be at least $25 after discounts:
Original post: According to CNBC Expedia plans to merge the loyalty programs of it’s family of brands including Hotels.com, Expedia, Travelocity, Vrbo and Orbitz. There are no details on what the new program will look like, but it’s expected to launch within the coming year. I can’t see this being a positive change and I’m somewhat surprised that Expedia is doing this in the first place as it somewhat ruins the illusion of choice in booking sites.
Any idea how, if at all, the merge will affect use of hotels.com gift cards? I’ve accumulated about $800-worth of those.
Thoughts?
From Hotels.com website:
“Stamps and reward nights expiry
We want to offer you the flexibility to make the most of your stamps and unused reward nights, so we’re extending your expiry date until December 31st, 2022.”
Sweet, but I’m still apprehensive about what the upcoming changes to the program might be.
This is awful news :/. Loved using hotels.com with stacked discounted GCs pre-Covid
OK so I for sure need to use up my 2 free night credit at Hotels.com now. I knew it was mostly a dying brand. Good to know.
How is hotels.com going to fit into the new scheme? It’s the only OTA I occasionally use for unaffiliated hotels or chains with loyalty programs that I don’t want to join (e.g., Accor).
I expect they’ll start by de-valuing the program.
They should have done this earlier. Expedia and Orbitz are pretty much the same and very confusing to have two sites.
What about their CCs then lol. 3 issuers
I didn’t realize these were all part of the same company, and had different reward programs…. I usually use Priceline but have now shifted to booking more directly or using my credit card points.
Name of the unified program will be “One Key,” but very short on detail:
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/new-details-expedia-loyalty-program/
Hotels.com has again extended the expiration date for reward nights. Mine show as June 30th, 2022, now. They were due to expire December 31, 2021. Cool.
Check the “See changes to Hotels.com® Rewards” link.