By Expedia Guest Author, on April 2, 2008

Expedia Stimulates the U.S. Economic Stimulus Package

Half of Americans Surveyed Would Consider Spending Rebate on Vacations; America’s Leading Online Travel Company Provides Boost to the Trip with $200 Coupon

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel company, announced today it is adding a bit more stimuli to the U.S. economic stimulus package, which, starting in May, will return up to $600 to individual taxpayers or $1,200 to those filing joint returns. With 51 percent of recently surveyed* Americans(1) saying they are somewhat likely to spend their upcoming tax rebate on travel or a vacation, Expedia® will help extend those vacation dollars by offering exclusive deals plus a coupon worth $200 off qualifying trips.

 

Specifically encouraging Americans to travel in the U.S. with their checks, Expedia today launched an online store designed to make shopping for a trip within a $600 per person budget simple. The store is available now through May 13, 2008 at http://www.expedia.com/exploreamerica and includes dozens of only-on-Expedia sale prices for stand-alone hotel stays and packages at up to 30 percent off regular rates.

 

“We know people want to travel, but just don’t think they can afford it, when in fact $600 provides a lot of vacation options — particularly in the U.S.,” explains Paul Brown, president of Expedia North America. “Adding our exclusive trip offers and instant coupon multiplies the possibilities Americans have for a tax rebate getaway this spring.”

 

Vacations Designed with Rebates in Mind

 

Expedia has assembled dozens of vacation packages across the U.S., priced to fit 2every tax rebate check. Featured on the site are two categories — “3-night trips under $399” and “5-night trips under $599.” Select options include:

 

  -- Williamsburg, Va. - Three nights' accommodations and airfare, starting
     from $343 per person
  -- Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Three nights' accommodations and airfare, starting
     from $396 per person
  -- Breckenridge, Colo. - Five nights' accommodations and airfare, starting
     from $487 per person
  -- San Francisco - Five nights' accommodations and airfare, starting from
     $539 per person

Deep Discounts on Hotels

 

Exclusively priced for this occasion, select hotels in top U.S. cities are offering up to 30 percent off. Following are several examples:

 

  -- The Palms Casino Resort (Las Vegas) -- Travelers save 10 percent for
     each night they stay -- up to 30 percent off when they stay three or
     more nights
  -- Millennium Biltmore Hotel (Los Angeles) -- Guests save 25 percent when
     they stay three nights and 30 percent for four or more nights
  -- Orlando Continental Plaza Hotel (Orlando, Fla.) -- Travelers booking
     three nights get the fourth night free
  -- W Honolulu Diamond Head (Honolulu) -Guests staying two nights get the
     third night free

 

For more information about Expedia’s tax rebate incentive program, or to browse all of the U.S. vacation deals, visit http://www.expedia.com/exploreamerica. Travelers looking to cash in on Expedia’s $200 instant coupon should use the code “TAX200.”

 

*About Harris Interactive Methodology

 

This Expedia.com survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Expedia between March 14 and 18, 2008 among 2,387 adults ages 18 and over. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

 

About Expedia

 

Expedia.com® is the world’s leading online travel provider, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/) aims to provide personalized service, the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia® Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com promises to offer to its customers the best rates available online for all types of travel, making it the most comprehensive customer guarantee in online travel. Expedia is dedicated to positively impacting global tourism by providing travelers environmentally conscious travel options. Expedia is a founding member of the World Heritage Alliance — a joint initiative with the United Nations Foundation to promote sustainable tourism. Expedia.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

 

About Harris Interactive

 

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

 

Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

 

© 2008 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-40

 

(1) U.S. adults aged 18 and over.

 

SOURCE: Expedia, Inc.

 

CONTACT: Ian Jeffries of Edelman, +1-206-268-2291,
ian.jeffries@edelman.com, for Expedia, Inc.; or Expedia PR Team,
+1-425-679-4317, press@expedia.com</br/></br/>

 

Web site: http://www.expedia.com/
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/ </br/>