Find Your Upgrade: Expedia and Citi Introduce Cobranded Travel Credit Cards

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Expedia and Citi are introducing a new travel cobranded credit card program designed for travelers to earn Expedia+ rewards bonus points faster and redeem for travel rewards on Expedia.com. The program includes two new chip-enabled credit cards, the Expedia+ Card and the Expedia+ Voyager Card from Citi which can be used at millions of locations around the world that accept MasterCard. The Expedia+ Voyager Card from Citi comes with a rich range of features and member benefits, including immediate Expedia +gold status that offers perks such as automatic upgrades at more than 1,400 +VIP Access™ hotels and amenities at select +VIP Access™ hotels worldwide subject to availability.

"At Expedia, we understand that that every trip is unique, personal and is full of moments that have the power to be transformational," said David Doctorow, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Expedia. "The Citi Expedia+ Voyager card is about getting to those magical travel moments faster. Now using the card for everyday expenses like buying groceries or dining out is an investment in your next vacation, your next moment."

"Whether you are planning a family vacation, an adventure overseas, or shopping at home – we are rewarding you for each and every purchase you make with a Citi Expedia+ Voyager card," said Ralph Andretta, Head of Product Management, Citi Cards. "From complimentary room upgrades and exclusive perks at +VIP Access hotels to savings on travel expenses – this card delivers tremendous value no matter where you are headed."

Earn points towards your next vacation. Cardmembers will earn Expedia+ rewards bonus points on travel and non-travel spend, with no cap on the amount of points they can earn.  With the Expedia+ Voyager card, earn four points per dollar spent on eligible Expedia bookings, including flights, hotels, activities and vacation packages, two points for every dollar spent on dining out and entertainment, and one point for every dollar spent on other purchases. Plus, as part of the Expedia+ rewards program, travelers earn points on any airline, hotel, activity and select cruise lines they book. Expedia Voyager+ card members also earn an anniversary bonus of 5,000 Expedia+ bonus points after they spend $10,000 on the card in the prior card membership year. 

Redeem points towards flights or hotel stays. Expedia+ rewards points can be redeemed towards flights or hotel stays available on Expedia.com with no blackout dates. Expedia+ rewards points will not expire, as long as points are earned or redeemed on the Expedia account at least once every 18 months. With their +gold status, Expedia+ Voyager cardmembers can enjoy upgrades at more than 1,400 +VIP Access™ hotels and amenities at select +VIP Access™ hotels that are part of the Expedia +VIP Access network, largely 4+ star boutique, independent, and small-chain hotels around the globe.

Save on trip expenses.  Each year, Expedia+ Voyager cardmembers receive up to $100 in statement credits that can be used towards airline incidental fees, such as baggage fees, in-flight food and entertainment, Wi-Fi and more on qualifying airlines or the Global Entry application fee.

Travel with ease. Access a range of built-in benefits from Citi, such as worldwide car rental insurance, lost baggage protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection. International travelers will enjoy global acceptance with EMV chip technology. 

EXPEDIA+ VOYAGER CARD from CITI BENEFITS

• Earn 25,000 Expedia+ rewards bonus points after $2,000 in purchases within three months of account opening, redeemable for $350 in coupons at +VIP Access hotels or $175 in coupons at other hotels.
• Enjoy automatic Expedia +gold Status each year of card membership.  Benefits include:
  • A 30% bonus on Expedia+ rewards base points earned on eligible Expedia purchases
  • Room upgrades at over 1,400 +VIP Access hotels worldwide (subject to availability)
  • Exclusive amenities at more than 700 +VIP Access hotels
  • A dedicated concierge line in Orlando and Hawaii for booking activities with Expedia Local Expert
• Expedia+ rewards bonus points earning structure:
  • Four Expedia+ bonus points per $1 spent on eligible Expedia purchases
  • Two Expedia+ bonus points per $1 spent on dining out and entertainment
  • One Expedia+ bonus point per $1 spent on other purchases
  • These points are in addition to the base points earned when booking on Expedia.com
• $100 annual statement credit toward airline incidental fees on qualified airlines, Wi-Fi carriers or for the Global Entry application fee
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases
• An anniversary bonus of 5,000 Expedia+ bonus points after spending $10,000 in the prior card membership year
• $95 annual fee
• For more information on the Expedia+ Voyager card, please visit www.citi.com/ExpediaPlus

EXPEDIA+ CARD FROM CITI BENEFITS

• Earn 15,000 Expedia+ rewards bonus points after $1,000 in purchases within three months of account opening, redeemable for $200 in coupons at +VIP Access hotels or $100 in coupons at other hotels.
• Enjoy automatic Expedia+ silver status each year of card membership.  Benefits include:
  • A 10% bonus on Expedia+ rewards base points earned on eligible Expedia purchases
  • Exclusive amenities at more than 700 +VIP Access hotels
  • A dedicated concierge line in Orlando and Hawaii for booking activities with Expedia Local Expert
• Expedia+ rewards bonus points earning structure:
  • Three Expedia+ bonus points per $1 spent on eligible Expedia purchases
  • One Expedia+ bonus point per $1 spent on other purchases
  • These points are in addition to the points earned when booking on Expedia.com
• Accelerator to +gold status: Earn one Elite Qualifying Hotel Night towards +gold status for every $2,500 spent on the card between your January and December billing statements. (15 Elite Qualifying Hotel Nights, or an annual spend of $10,000 on Expedia.com, are normally required to attain +gold status)
• No annual fee
• For more information on the Expedia+ card, please visit www.citi.com/ExpediaPlus

Both credit cards include built-in benefits from Citi, such as Lost Baggage Protection and Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance. Cardmembers can also enjoy Citi® Private Pass®, which provides access to purchase tickets to thousands of music, sports, dining and entertainment events. Plus, cardmembers will also have Citi's exclusive Citi Price Rewind, which can help cardmembers get refunds on their purchases if it finds a lower price online within 60 days after the purchase.

About Expedia+ Rewards

The Expedia+ Credit Cards from Citi allow cardmembers to turn everyday purchases into one-of-a-kind travel through the Expedia+ rewards program. Expedia+ rewards offers membership at tiered levels, including +blue, +silver and +gold, and more opportunities to earn and redeem points. Members at the +silver and +gold levels will also receive a host of benefits from more than 1,400 +VIP Access hotels, which tend to be highly-rated boutique properties. To learn more about the Expedia+ rewards program or to become a member, visit: https://www.expedia.com/rewards/.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://new.citi.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com is one of the world's largest full service travel sites*, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, cheap tickets, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia, Expedia.com, Expedia Rewards, Expedia+, +VIP Access, Elite Plus, Find Yours and the Airplane logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners © 2014 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50

*Based on a comparison of other full-service online travel agencies, defined as those providing booking and services related to air, hotel, cruise, car and activities to a global customer base. Data based on comScore Media Metrix for Expedia, Inc. Sites, Worldwide, Average Monthly Unique Visitors, Oct '12-Sept '13. SOURCE: Expedia.com, Web site: http://www.expedia.com/

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SOURCE Expedia.com