Trade Press Release
EXPEDIA’S DYNAMIC PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY SET TO
REVOLUTIONISE BOOKING OF ONLINE TRAVEL
Expedia.co.uk, the UK’s leading online travel agent, today announced details of
‘Flight +’, the UK’s most advanced online booking engine for dynamically
packaged holidays and short breaks.
Through unparalleled technology, customers will be able to book the trip they
want at the time they want, with the hotel and airline they want at the price they
want, all online. The choice and control ‘Flight +’ offers means it’s ideal for
business, city breaks or longer package holidays.
The benefits of the new service include:

Combination of negotiated FIT (Flight Inclusive Tour) rates from airlines and
Expedia Special Rate (ESR) hotels means customers are offered value for
money when booking their travel.

Value and convenience of an all-in-one trip with the flexibility and freedom of
totally independent travel.

No expensive brochure costs to pass to consumers.

Dynamic packaging technology offers suppliers greater control over yield
management.
 ‘Flight +’ lets supply and demand dictate the price the customer pays in real
time.
Expedia’s dynamic packaging tool allows customers to build their own package in
real time, reaping the benefit of simple and transparent prices. Inclusive tour
rates from 80 airlines are combined with prices from 5,000 ESR hotels in one nononsense figure. Smart technology ensures customers will not be confused by
“constantly moving prices and a fiendishly complex system of discounts.”1
The new ‘Flights +’ technology gives suppliers much more control over yield
management and avoids the traditional requirement to commit to fixed prices up
to six months in advance. Hoteliers who have been feeling the pinch since tour
operators reduced capacity post September 11 are looking for new distribution
channels and Expedia’s hotel Extranet tool allows hoteliers to manage their room
nights and pricing according to demand.
Suppliers using Expedia have a ready-made brochure that can be updated hourly
– the website. This means Expedia does not have hefty brochure costs to pass on
to customers, delivering even more value for money.
On offer with ‘Flight +’ are a variety of packages for over 400 destinations
worldwide ranging from 2-5 star hotels. These are categorised into European
Cities, US Cities, Florida and the Caribbean. There are no restrictions on airline,
departure airport, departure time or length of stay that you would find with
conventional packages.
As well as combined air and hotel packages, customers are able to bundle car
hire and insurance offerings into their single purchase. Customers will be able to
choose from 10 car hire types and 3 different insurance policies.
Commenting on the new service, Dermot Halpin, managing director of
Expedia.co.uk, said: “Expedia has again shown its lead in the online travel
industry through its unmatched technology. There is simply no better way to put
together a dynamic package online. The benefits to consumers and suppliers
alike means it’s a win-win situation all round.”
- ends -
Notes to Editors:
1. Travelcare’s Holiday Report 2002
For further information regarding Expedia please contact:
Rory Steel
0207 465 7765
Isobel Archer
0207 465 6400
Ben Philipson
0207 465 7775
Giles Read
0207 465 6422
Expediateam@redconsultancy.com
For online press information on Expedia.co.uk: http://www.expedia.co.uk/daily/press/
About Expedia.co.uk
Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE) operates Expedia.co.uk in the UK and has localised versions for travellers in the US,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Expedia and Expedia.co.uk are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may
be trademarks of their respective owners.
Expedia.co.uk offers millions of published and discounted fares on over 450 airlines, a directory of more than 80,000
accommodation properties world-wide and 4 million rooms, car hire from the top rental companies, dynamic packaging
technology and a choice of package holidays. The site also includes in depth destination guides and maps, a
comprehensive travel information service, and links to relevant Web sites. Expedia.co.uk is entirely free to anyone and
does not require registration.