Expedia.com Expedia Express
Vol. 2, Issue 8: January 2000
This is the monthly newsletter for the Expedia.com™ travel service, highlighting the latest site information as well as trends in online travel. Expedia.com includes many third-party offers (some restrictions apply). More information on these offers is available at http://expedia.com/. Please check http://expedia.com/daily/press for the latest press information and releases.
What's News on Expedia.com
Gomez.com Names Expedia.com the Best Overall Online Travel Agency
Expedia.com was distinguished as the Best Online Travel Agency overall and recognized for its ease of use, bargain hunting, as well business travel planning in Gomez's 4th edition of its Internet Travel Scorecard (www.gomez.com). According to the Gomez report, “new features and functionality abound at Expedia.com this quarter…. Best of all these cool new features produce positive easy to use results.”
Expedia.com Ninth Most Visited E-Commerce Site and Highest Trafficked Online Travel Site During Critical Holiday Period
Expedia.com was the ninth most visited e-commerce site for the five week holiday shopping season, making it the highest rated online travel site according to the online research firm Media Metrix. This news comes on the heels of Expedia.com being named by Media Metrix as the most visited online travel site for the eighth straight month. Nearly four million visitors came to Expedia.com in November alone, distinguishing it as the only online travel site in the Top 50 most visited of all Web sites.
Just Launched on Expedia.com
Expedia.com Customers Now Able to Get Flights at a Price They Like: Theirs!
Flight Price Matcher™ is a whole new way to shop for flights, so travelers won't need to spend hours trying to find great travel deals. It's simple: All they have to do is provide the destination, travel dates, and how much they're willing to pay. Within minutes customers are notified whether their request has been matched with a name-brand airline. Expedia.com users are assured they will not overpay because if Flight Price Matcher finds their request is higher than the published fare, it will give the customer the lower published fare—saving them the difference. Expedia.com fully discloses all taxes and fees so there won't be any surprises later. Flight Price Matcher customers successfully matched between now and January 14, 2000 will receive a $25 reward from Expedia.com. Some restrictions apply. See Expedia.com for details.
Fare Calendar Takes Airlines' Lowest Published Fares Off the Endangered Species List and Puts Them in Customers' Hands
Recently announced, Fare Calendar is an intuitive graphical calendar matching airlines' lowest published fares with their dates and availability, further helping customers find and book the right trip at the right price. Customers simply enter where they want to travel and Fare Calendar returns the lowest published airfares for that route. Expedia.com clearly explains all restrictions on available fares, uniquely provides access to senior and children's discounts, and discloses the relevant taxes and fees.
Expand Your Expedia Knowledge
Customers Comment on Expedia.com
Each month, Expedia Express will feature a new customer comment. Additional customer comments and information on how to reach customers for interviews can be found in the Press Information section at http://expedia.com/daily/press/.
“I can no longer remember what it is like to plan my travels before Expedia; and I cannot imagine planning my travels without Expedia. This site is amazing. Thank you for providing so amazingly expedient a service!”—David R., St. Louis, Missouri
Did You Know Expedia.com Has…
…complimentary mileage program tracking? Expedia.com visitors are eligible for a free 12-month subscription to Mileage Miner, a frequency mileage tracking system located within the Business Travel section (http://expedia.com/daily/business/) that provides a consolidated view of customers' frequent travel programs from airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies. After 12 months, customers who have bought three or more tickets on Expedia.com in the prior 12-months can continue their subscription for free. Others only need to pay $9.99 per year to continue—1/3 of the regular subscription fee. Some restrictions apply. See Expedia.com for details.
360-Degree Tour: Roman Colosseum
Witness the splendor of the Roman Colosseum via this 360-degree interactive tour. Overlook the arena that once housed 50,000 cheering Romans and the ruins of a subterranean labyrinth where wild beasts roamed prior to battling gladiators beginning Jan. 6. The accompanying “Plan This Trip” feature provides a step-by-step guide for planning travel to Rome and experiencing its historical sites, restaurants, and distinctive attractions.
Best Places
Plan a honeymoon in Orlando at Disney World, currently the top selling U.S. honeymoon destination. Written by Rick & Gayle Perlmutter, authors of “Walt Disney World for Couples 1999-2000,” this article highlights the sites and activities for a romantic and memorable trip to Disney. Click the “Plan This Trip” link to book the trip, learn more about activities in Orlando, and link to local tourism Web sites.
New Orleans is a top destination whether for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, shopping or enjoying fine cuisine. Immerse yourself in the Crescent City with this ambitious three-day itinerary through the top attractions and shops beginning Jan. 17. Click the “Plan This Trip” link to book the trip, learn more about activities in New Orleans and link to local tourism Web sites.
Slide Shows
Scroll through panoramic shots of Antigua and Barbuda beginning Jan. 10. Captions below each photo provide information on the people and culture of these romantic islands. Click the “Plan This Trip” link to book the trip, learn more about activities in Antigua and Barbuda, and link to local tourism Web sites.
Insider's Advice
Family Travel Articles: http://www.expedia.com/daily/family/
Beginning Jan. 6 and changing weekly throughout January, articles by Los Angeles Times syndicated family travel expert Eileen Ogintz will appear in the Expedia.com Family Travel section on topics such as Hawaii, traveling while pregnant, family survival smarts at restaurants and taking the nanny along.
Cruise author Douglas Ward recounts his experiences cruising the rivers of Asia in this article beginning Jan. 20.
Dr. Alan M. Spira provides tips on sanitation when traveling on a safari and answers questions submitted by readers beginning Jan. 27.
Top 10 Destinations Booked Online With Expedia.com
Where are travelers on the Internet going? The following is a list of the hottest destinations booked on Expedia.com from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, 1999:
New York City
Los Angeles
Washington, DC
Orlando
Las Vegas
Chicago
Atlanta
San Francisco
Phoenix
Seattle
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE) operates Expedia.com in the United States with localized versions for travelers in Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. To help customers Travel Right, Expedia.com provides the best combination of air, car, and hotel booking, vacation package and cruise offers, destination information, and point-to-point mapping. Customers have responded by making Expedia.com the most visited Web site for travel planning services on the Internet for the eighth consecutive month (Media Metrix, November 1999).
Expedia.com customers are supported by live agents via e-mail and a toll-free number available 24 hours a day/seven days a week, credit card guarantee (U.S. site only) and privacy policy. Expedia.com is also available under Travel on the MSN™ network of Internet services.
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