Expedia's Hotels & Flights App
Jeremy Xavier, director of marketing for mobile products at Expedia explains the company’s approach to mobile in a conversation with Mobile Commerce Daily, “We see the importance of both our mobile site and our app. A big difference, though, is that we like to take into account the capabilities of the device for app development.”
“We can use features like GPS and push notifications and create a more rich experience in the app. For mobile web, we focus a bit more on a streamlined process to make sure people get a hotel room quickly and efficiently.”
Expedia's Hotels & Flights free app is available for download on iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows 8 and most tablets. And, if you visit Expedia.com on a smartphone, consumers are immediately invited to download the app before accessing the mobile website.
Consumer benefits of the app:
-Download the app and earn 500 points
-Easily identify the VIP eligible hotels at a glance
Digging into Itineraries
According to Sara Gavin, director of public relations at Expedia, “It’s all about making that entire trip more manageable,” she said. “Air travel in particular can be chaotic. And mobile helps manage that." Expedia's itineraries especially support this cause.
The app uses location-based technology and time zone information to target consumers with the information they need throughout their travels. Before boarding, the app displays airport maps, flight status updates, confirmation codes and addresses. Users can share their itinerary with friends and family through integration with email and SMS.
As the consumer gets off the plane, the information relevant to hotel booking and car rental information are displayed including maps to help the user get where they need to go.
“We can use features like GPS and push notifications and create a more rich experience in the app. For mobile web, we focus a bit more on a streamlined process to make sure people get a hotel room quickly and efficiently.”
Expedia's Hotels & Flights free app is available for download on iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows 8 and most tablets. And, if you visit Expedia.com on a smartphone, consumers are immediately invited to download the app before accessing the mobile website.
Consumer benefits of the app:
- Mobile-exclusive deals anywhere from 10-30% off
- Easy booking on the go
- GPS integration auto populates suggestions
- Mobile Itinerary: Search, book and view all of your Expedia itineraries in real time.
- Points & Perks
-Download the app and earn 500 points
-Easily identify the VIP eligible hotels at a glance
Digging into Itineraries
According to Sara Gavin, director of public relations at Expedia, “It’s all about making that entire trip more manageable,” she said. “Air travel in particular can be chaotic. And mobile helps manage that." Expedia's itineraries especially support this cause.
The app uses location-based technology and time zone information to target consumers with the information they need throughout their travels. Before boarding, the app displays airport maps, flight status updates, confirmation codes and addresses. Users can share their itinerary with friends and family through integration with email and SMS.
As the consumer gets off the plane, the information relevant to hotel booking and car rental information are displayed including maps to help the user get where they need to go.
This past May, Expedia Hotels & Flights app received a Webby Award for the People's Voice Travel App. Webby Awards are hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times.