Expedia’s ”Closer to the Sun” Sweepstakes

Official Rules

No Purchase Necessary.  A Purchase Will Not Increase Your Chances of Winning.

Information on how to enter, the prizes and rules for redeeming the prizes form part of the terms and conditions of entry for the Sweepstakes.  Participation in the Sweepstakes is deemed to be acceptance of these official rules (“Official Rules”) and any other notices referenced herein.

In these Official Rules, the term “you” refers to any person who enters, or who wishes to enter, the Promotion.

1. Eligibility: The “Closer to the Sun” Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least eighteen (18) years old or older at the time of entry and who otherwise meet the requirements set out in these Official Rules. Employees of Expedia, Inc. (“Expedia”), Slightly Stoopid (“Slightly Stoopid”) and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, promotion and advertising agencies, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of those employees are not eligible to enter.
2. Sponsor: The Sweepstakes is sponsored by Expedia, Inc., 1111 Expedia Group Way W., Seattle, WA 98119 (“Sponsor”). Slightly Stoopid is a prize provider.
3. Agreement to Official Rules: By entering, you indicate your full and unconditional agreement to (a) these Official Rules and (b) Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
4. Sweepstakes Period: The Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on June 1, 2023 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on October 31, 2023 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Sweepstakes.
5. How to Enter: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. There are two (2) ways to enter, as follows:
   1. Qualifying Purchase: If you book, purchase and complete any travel or activity on the co-branded website www.expedia.com/slightlystoopid. (the “Website”) during the Sweepstakes Period (as determined by the Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion on the basis of its official records) (collectively, a “Qualifying Purchase”), you will automatically receive one (1) entry (each, an “Entry”) into the Draw (defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any purchase that is subsequently refunded or cancelled will not qualify as a Qualifying Purchase. If you make a Qualifying Purchase, you agree to being automatically entered into the Sweepstakes and allowing the collection and use of your name, date of birth, full mailing address, phone number and email address (as provided at the time of completing your Qualifying Purchase) by the Sponsor for the purpose of administering this Sweepstakes. If you do not want to be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes pursuant to the terms of this section, email affiliatesweepstakes@expediagroup.com prior to the end of the applicable Entry Period and your Qualifying Purchase will not be considered for the purpose administering the Sweepstakes.
   2. Mail-in Request: To enter without having to make a Qualifying Purchase, write your first name, last name, date of birth, full mailing address, phone number, and email address, and one (1) sentence describing your favorite activity or attraction to do while in your favorite city on a piece of paper and mail it to: “Expedia’s Closer to the Sun” Sweepstakes, Expedia, Inc., 1111 Expedia Group Way W., Seattle, WA 98119 (collectively, a “Mail-in Request”). If your Mail-in Request is postmarked and received before the end of the Sweepstakes Period, you will receive one (1) Entry into the Sweepstakes. Please note that a response acknowledging receipt of your Mail-in Request will not be sent. The Released Parties are not responsible for late, lost, misdirected, delayed, incomplete or illegible Mail-in Requests (all of which are void).   

All eligible entries will have an equal chance of winning.

There is a limit of one (1) Entry per person/email address per Entry Period (regardless of the method of entry). Entries will not be acknowledged. Any Entries received in excess of this limitation will be automatically disqualified and the Sponsor may, in its absolute discretion, disqualify such entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes.  Entries submitted by any other method other than the methods listed above will be automatically deemed invalid and will not be entered into the Sweepstakes. For greater certainty and the avoidance of any doubt, you can only use one (1) email address to enter the Sweepstakes.  If it is discovered by the Sponsor (using any evidence or other information made available to or otherwise discovered by the Sponsor) that any person has attempted to: (i) obtain more than one (1) Entry per Entry Period; and/or (ii) use multiple names, identities, email addresses and/or any automated, macro, script, robotic or other system(s) or program(s) to enter or otherwise participate in or to disrupt this Sweepstakes; then he/she may be disqualified from the Sweepstakes in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor.  All entrants, Qualifying Purchases, Mail-in Requests and Entries are subject to verification at any time and for any reason.  The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to require proof of identity and/or eligibility (in a form acceptable to the Sponsor – including, without limitation, government issued photo identification): (i) for the purposes of verifying an individual’s eligibility to participate in this Sweepstakes; (ii) for the purposes of verifying the eligibility and/or legitimacy of any Entry, Qualifying Purchase, Mail-in Request or other information entered (or purportedly entered) for the purposes of this Sweepstakes; and/or (iii) for any other reason the Sponsor deems necessary, in its sole and absolute discretion, for the purposes of administering this Sweepstakes in accordance with these Official Rules.  Failure to provide such proof to the complete satisfaction of the Sponsor within the timeline specified by the Sponsor may result in disqualification in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor. Participation is subject to Expedia’s Terms of Service. When you enter, you are providing information to Sponsor. No purchase necessary.

6. Sponsor’s Rights to Submissions: By entering, you grant Sponsor, and their agents, licensees, and assigns an irrevocable, perpetual (non-exclusive) license and permission to reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, modify, create derivative works of, exhibit, and otherwise use your entry and all elements of such entry, including, without limitation, responses to the questions, as-is or as-edited (with or without using your name) in any media throughout the world, in perpetuity, for any purpose, without limitation, and without additional notification, review, compensation, or approval from you or any other party. You agree that the Sponsor may use the aggregate information collected from the competition for related research and marketing purposes. Participants warrant that their Mail-in Request is their own work.
7. Drawing: On or about November 6, 2023, at approximately 10:00 am PT at Expedia’s office at 1111 Expedia Group Way W., Seattle, WA, 98119, Sponsor or its agent will select one (1) potential Sweepstakes winner in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received throughout the Sweepstakes Period. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received.
8. Notification and Requirements of Potential Winner: Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. The prize winner will be chosen on the date described in paragraph 7 above during the Sweepstakes Period. Winner will be notified via the email address they used to book their travel or activity or submitted in their Mail-in Request with instructions on how to claim the prize. If a potential winner does not respond and comply with the instructions in the email message within five (5) days from the date the message was sent, and after two (2) attempts to contact a potential winner, he/she will forfeit the prize and Sponsor may award the prize to an alternate entrant. Only one (1) alternate entrant will be contacted for a Prize. Such newly selected potential winner will be notified by email within three (3) business days of the drawing, using the contact details provided by that person when entering the Sweepstakes. Except where prohibited, a potential winner will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release. Unclaimed prizes may not be awarded.

The prize is not transferable; no prize substitutions or cash alternatives are allowed except as may be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Travel companions of prize winners may be required to complete, sign and return a mutually acceptable Liability Release within five (5) days of notification.  Travel companion must be 18 or older, unless they are the child, ward or spouse of a winner, in which case the companion’s parent will be required to sign the necessary documents on behalf of his/her child. Except where prohibited, acceptance of the prize constitutes the winner’s (and winner’s guest’s) consent that their names, likenesses, and/or biographical data may be used for advertising and promotional purposes without limitation and without additional notice, compensation, or consent.

9. Prize: There is one (1) prize (“Prize”) available to be won at the start of the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will receive one (1) five (5) night trip for two (2) people to the Closer to the Sun festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico from December 6th through 11th, 2023, including round-trip economy class airfare departing from the closest international airport to the selected winner’s residence, hotel accommodations (double occupancy and selected by sponsor), ground transportation to and from Cancun (CUN) Airport, and festival passes which includes an all-inclusive food and beverage package.

The estimated retail value of the Prize is up to USD$4,500 which includes trip related taxes and fees. Actual retail value of the Prize may be higher or lower based on departure location. 

Sponsor and Provider will work with winner to book their prize travel. Sponsor will not replace any lost, mutilated, or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates.

A Prize Winner and his or her guest must travel on the same itinerary and are responsible for obtaining any necessary documentation (i.e., valid visas, passports, etc.) prior to travel.  Guest must be of legal age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence (and at least 18), unless the child or legal ward of a winner and must sign a liability/publicity release prior to the issuance of travel documents.  If guest is a child or legal ward of the winner, winner must sign and return release on behalf of such child or legal ward.

Prize winner is responsible for paying any applicable federal, state, local, income and withholding taxes, if any, and any and all other costs and expenses not listed herein as being provided, including but not limited to ground transportation to/from departure airport, luggage fees, hotel incidentals, souvenirs, merchandise, and gratuities.  In the event that any tax withholding is required by law for the prize, winner authorizes Sponsor to make the corresponding deduction.  Any prize details not specified above will be determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion.  Sponsor will not be liable for any expenses incurred as a consequence of flight cancellations or delays. Sponsor will not be liable for any airline and/or hotel fees incurred as a consequence of changing or cancelling flight and/or hotel reservations.  Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prizes or prize components. Winner may not transfer, assign or substitute a prize, or redeem a prize for cash, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Prize is awarded “as is” without any warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsor. The prize is subject to and the winner must abide by the prize providers’ terms and conditions of booking, of carriage for the flights and of stay for the hotel. Booking and travel is subject to the terms and conditions set forth by travel suppliers and Expedia’s Terms of Use found at  https://www.expedia.com/p/info-other/legal.htm.

10. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Sweepstakes is impaired in any way, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Sweepstakes to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the operation of the Sweepstakes, violates these Official Rules, or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.  Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any person who seeks to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes.  Failure by Sponsor to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.  Proof of sending any communication to Sponsor by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by Sponsor.  In the event of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant.  The Sweepstakes is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.
11. Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Sweepstakes, you agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, Simply Stoopid, their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Sweepstakes; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone, or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize. You further agree that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Sweepstakes, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney’s fees.  You waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
12. Collection and Use of Your Personal Information: Sponsor may collect and process your personal information directly or through our agents or contractors. We will use your personal information as necessary in order to conduct and manage the Sweepstakes, and, where we (or the prize provider) have a lawful basis to do so, to send marketing communications to you. We may disclose your personal information to our related companies, agents, and contractors to assist in conducting and managing this offer, communicating with you, or storing data.

Please see Expedia’s Privacy Statement, https://www.expedia.com/lp/lg-privacypolicy for more information about how we process your personal information and how you can exercise your rights.

13. Disputes: You agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the State of Washington. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, your rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Washington or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Washington.
14. Results: To request a winners’ list, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to “Expedia’s Closer to the Sun Sweepstakes Winner List,” Expedia, Inc., 1111 Expedia Group Way W., Seattle, WA 98119. Requests must be received within four (4) weeks after the end of the Sweepstakes Period.