Are you a frequent traveler who wants to make the most of your trips? If so, you may have heard of Expedia and its rewards program, which allows you to earn points and redeem them for travel and other rewards. However, you may be wondering: do Expedia Points expire? If so, what can you do to extend them and make the most of your rewards? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more, providing you with all the information you need to take advantage of Expedia Points and maximize your travel experiences.
What are Expedia Points?
Expedia Points are the rewards currency used by the Expedia rewards program. These points are earned by booking travel on Expedia.com, either through the website or the mobile app. Every time you book a flight, hotel, car rental, or activity on Expedia, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for future travel or other rewards.
There are different ways to earn Expedia Points, depending on the type of travel you book and the rewards program tier you belong to. For example, basic members earn two points for every dollar spent on flights, hotels, or packages, while elite members earn up to four points per dollar. In addition, Expedia offers special promotions and bonuses to members, such as double or triple points for certain bookings.
Expedia Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including free flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and activities. In addition, you can use Expedia Points to book travel on behalf of family and friends, giving them the benefit of your rewards. Expedia also partners with other companies, such as airlines, credit cards, and retail brands, to offer additional rewards and benefits to its members.
Do Expedia Points Expire?
Yes, Expedia Points do expire. The expiration policy for Expedia Points is based on a rolling 18-month period, meaning that if you don’t earn or redeem any points in 18 months, your points will expire. The expiration date of your points can be found in your Expedia account or by contacting customer service.
However, there are ways to prevent your Expedia Points from expiring. The easiest way is to earn or redeem points on a regular basis, at least once every 18 months. This can be done by booking travel or using your points for rewards, even if it’s just a small purchase. Another option is to upgrade to a higher rewards program tier, which may offer longer expiration periods or other benefits that make it easier to maintain your points.
Can Expedia Points be Extended?
Yes, Expedia Points can be extended, but it may come at a cost. Expedia offers a few options for extending your points before they expire, including:
Redeeming your points for travel: By using your points to book a flight, hotel, or car rental, you can reset the expiration clock for all of your points, even those that were earned earlier. This can be a great way to use your points while also keeping them active.
Buying Expedia Points: Expedia allows you to purchase points directly from its website, which can be added to your account and used to extend the expiration date of your existing points. However, buying points can be expensive and may not be the most cost-effective option.
Upgrading your rewards program tier: Expedia offers several rewards program tiers, each with its own benefits and requirements. By upgrading to a higher tier, you may be able to extend the expiration period for your points or earn points at a faster rate.
How to Use Expedia Points
Expedia Points can be used to book a variety of travel and non-travel rewards. To use your points, simply log in to your Expedia account and select the reward you want to redeem. For travel rewards, you can search for flights, hotels, car rentals, or activities and select the option to pay with points at checkout. The number of points required for each reward will vary depending on the value of the reward and your rewards program tier.
One of the best ways to use your Expedia Points is to book free hotel stays. Expedia offers a wide range of hotels around the world, from budget to luxury options, that can be booked with points. In addition, Expedia offers exclusive deals and discounts to members, making it even easier to save money on your hotel bookings.
Another popular way to use Expedia Points is to book flights. By using your points to pay for flights, you can save money on airfare and enjoy more flexibility when booking your travel. Expedia offers flights from many major airlines around the world, as well as options for multi-city and round-trip bookings.
Expedia Points can also be used to book car rentals and activities, such as tours, shows, and theme park tickets. This can be a great way to save money on your travel and enjoy even more experiences during your trip.
Overall, using your Expedia Points is easy and flexible, allowing you to choose the rewards that best fit your travel needs and preferences.
Best Ways to Earn Expedia Points
There are many ways to earn Expedia Points, ranging from booking travel on Expedia.com to using an Expedia-affiliated credit card. Here are some of the best ways to earn Expedia Points:
Book travel on Expedia.com: Every time you book a flight, hotel, car rental, or activity on Expedia, you’ll earn points. The number of points you earn will vary depending on the type of booking and your rewards program tier, but you can generally expect to earn at least two points per dollar spent.
Use an Expedia-affiliated credit card: Expedia partners with several credit card companies to offer rewards and benefits to cardholders. By using an Expedia-affiliated credit card for your travel and everyday purchases, you can earn points that can be redeemed for travel and other rewards.
Sign up for Expedia Rewards: By joining the Expedia Rewards program, you’ll earn points for every eligible booking you make on Expedia.com. In addition, you’ll receive exclusive deals and discounts, as well as access to other rewards program benefits.
Take advantage of promotions and bonuses: Expedia often offers special promotions and bonuses to members, such as double or triple points for certain bookings. By keeping an eye on these offers and taking advantage of them when available, you can earn even more points.
Expedia Rewards Program Tiers
Expedia offers several rewards program tiers, each with its own benefits and requirements. Here are the different tiers and what they offer:
Blue: The Blue tier is the basic rewards program tier for all members. Blue members earn two points per dollar spent on flights, hotels, and packages, and have access to member-only deals and discounts.
Silver: The Silver tier is the first elite tier of the rewards program. To qualify for Silver status, you must book and stay at least seven qualifying hotel room nights or spend at least $5,000 on eligible bookings in a calendar year. Silver members earn three points per dollar spent on flights, hotels, and packages, and have access to additional member-only deals and discounts.
Gold: The Gold tier is the second elite tier of the rewards program. To qualify for Gold status, you must book and stay at least 15 qualifying hotel room nights or spend at least $10,000 on eligible bookings in a calendar year. Gold members earn four points per dollar spent on flights, hotels, and packages, and have access to even more member-only deals and discounts, as well as priority customer service.
Platinum: The Platinum tier is the highest elite tier of the rewards program. To qualify for Platinum status, you must book and stay at least 30 qualifying hotel room nights or spend at least $15,000 on eligible bookings in a calendar year. Platinum members earn five points per dollar spent on flights, hotels, and packages, and have access to the most exclusive member-only deals and discounts, as well as enhanced customer service and other benefits.
In addition to these rewards program tiers, Expedia also offers a VIP Access program for hotels. VIP Access hotels are a curated collection of high-end properties around the world, and booking stays at these hotels can earn you even more rewards and benefits. VIP Access hotels are handpicked by Expedia for their exceptional quality and service, and members who book stays at these hotels can earn up to 2x the points of a regular booking, as well as receive exclusive perks such as free room upgrades and late checkouts.
Conclusion
Expedia Points are a valuable tool for frequent travelers, offering a way to earn rewards and save money on future travel. By earning and redeeming Expedia Points on a regular basis, you can ensure that you always have a healthy balance of rewards to use for your travels. Additionally, by understanding the options available for extending your points, you can make informed decisions about how to maximize your rewards and keep them active for as long as possible.
In summary, Expedia Points can be a great way to save money and earn rewards on your travels, but it’s important to be aware of the expiration policy and take steps to keep your points active. By doing so, you can make the most of your rewards and enjoy even more travel experiences in the future.