Expedia, the world’s largest full service online travel agency has announced the launch of Expedia Add-On Advantage, a new way for consumers to save time and money on hotel bookings. With the Expedia Add-On Advantage, travelers can now qualify for hotel discounts up to 44% off at any point before their trip by booking a flight or package on Expedia.co.in.
A study conducted by Expedia in India to understand planning process highlighted that almost 42% Indians spend 6-10 hrs, 23% spend 11-30 hrs and 20% spend more than 30 hrs researching for great deals on hotels, airlines, or combo offers while booking a week long holiday.
The money saved by bagging great deal will enable travellers to indulge in upgrading their flight seats (44%), getting pampered before the trip (34%), food and drinks while on holiday (26%), upgrade to a better hotel room (24%) excursions, activities or souvenirs while on holiday (21%), or even extend the vacation by 1-2 days (23%). The consumers will be able to use the time saved through Add-On Advantage before a holiday to do things that are important to them, like read (34%), work harder to avoid calls/working on holiday (29%), spend more time with friends and family or pursue their passion or favorite sport (19%), and lose weight/get fit (16%).
Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Brand Expedia in India says,“As a consumer today with multiple online options, it is natural to spend time researching in order to bag great deals on anything we purchase. Consumers booking online travel products end up spending over 14 hrs on an average to find great deals on a vacation. Understanding the Indian traveler psyche well, we wanted to empower our consumers with the option of selecting great deals without spending countless hours on research. Add-On Advantage allows just that – saving money and time – together.
According to the study conducted by Expedia, 93% Indian travelers book their hotel within a week of booking their flights tickets. And if they get a hotel discount, 27% will book immediately, while a total of over 90% will book within the offer period. The study also highlighted that 65% Indians don’t take a risk to get great hotel deals. Out of the 35% willing to take a risk to get good hotel deals – 17% waited till the last day to make their bookings, 9% booked hotel before approval on their leaves, 6% booked hotel before flight and 4% changed their destination last minute.
