Expedia Group

Corporate brand

A global travel-technology company operating online travel agencies, lodging and flight metasearch services, vacation-rental platforms, and travel-adviser businesses.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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First read: Nov 4, 2026
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Overview

Expedia Group is a United States-based travel-technology company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Its portfolio includes online travel agencies, metasearch services, vacation-rental marketplaces, and specialist travel businesses. The group’s consumer brands have included Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, ebookers, CheapTickets, Wotif, CarRentals.com, Expedia Cruises, and Trivago. Through these businesses, travelers can search for and book lodging, flights, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, activities, and other travel-related services. The company originated in October 1996 as an online travel division of Microsoft. The Expedia service was designed to bring travel search and booking to the web, and the name was formed from the ideas of exploration and speed. Expedia became an independently listed company in 1999. USA Networks, later known as IAC, acquired control in 2001 and the remaining interest in 2003. IAC separated Expedia in 2005, establishing the independently operated Expedia corporate group that later expanded through acquisitions and brand integration. Expedia Group’s growth strategy has combined direct consumer brands with technology, marketing, lodging-supply relationships, and metasearch. Its portfolio has allowed the company to address different traveler segments and booking journeys: Expedia has functioned as a broad online travel agency; Hotels.com has focused on accommodation discovery and loyalty; Vrbo has concentrated on whole-home vacation rentals; Orbitz, Travelocity, ebookers, CheapTickets, and Wotif have served additional geographic or customer segments; and Trivago has operated as a lodging metasearch platform. Expedia Cruises extends the group into cruise and broader leisure-travel agency franchising. The company has also used portfolio-wide programs and technology to connect its brands. In 2023 it introduced One Key, a unified loyalty program linking Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, allowing participating customers to earn and redeem rewards across the three services. In 2024 it introduced Travel Shops, enabling creators and influencers to promote accommodation and earn commissions, and launched an artificial-intelligence travel tool intended to help customers plan and manage trips. Expedia Group has faced operational, regulatory, and reputational challenges. During the COVID-19 travel disruption, customers reported long delays and difficulty obtaining refunds for canceled flights, generating lawsuits and public criticism. The group and affiliated businesses have also faced litigation concerning hotel advertising practices, tax obligations, and metasearch advertising claims. In 2020, the United Nations Human Rights Council included Expedia Group on a list concerning companies linked to services supporting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a designation associated with broader human-rights criticism. The company has periodically reorganized its workforce and operations. In February 2020, management announced approximately 3,000 job cuts, describing the prior organization as inefficient and overgrown after disappointing 2019 performance. In February 2024, Expedia Group announced another planned reduction of approximately 1,500 positions, including roles in Seattle. Despite these changes and the volatility of travel demand, the group remains an active international online-travel operator with millions of lodging options and air inventory from hundreds of airlines available across its platforms.

History

Expedia began in October 1996 as a division of Microsoft during the early commercial development of online travel services. Its purpose was to make travel information, comparison, and booking available through the internet. The Expedia name combined the concepts of exploration and speed. The business was spun off by Microsoft as a public company in 1999, giving it an independent corporate structure and access to public capital. USA Networks, later renamed IAC, acquired a controlling interest in Expedia in 2001 and bought the remaining shares in 2003. Under IAC ownership, Expedia became part of a broader collection of internet and travel assets. IAC spun Expedia out in August 2005, creating an independent Expedia corporate group. The company subsequently developed through a mixture of organic expansion, brand management, and acquisitions across online travel agencies, lodging search, vacation rentals, and specialist travel services. The group’s portfolio came to include Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, ebookers, CheapTickets, Wotif, CarRentals.com, Trivago, and Expedia Cruises. Its strategy was to maintain multiple consumer-facing brands while sharing technology, supply, marketing capabilities, and data where practical. The portfolio served different national markets and travel occasions, including hotel-only searches, packaged travel, whole-home rentals, air travel, car rental, and metasearch. In December 2011, Expedia separated TripAdvisor, another travel website that had previously been associated with the group. Expedia also continued to develop specialist businesses. CruiseShipCenters International, a Vancouver-based travel-agency franchise founded in 1987, became significantly connected with Expedia through an investment in 2007 and was fully owned by Expedia by 2013. It later operated as Expedia CruiseShipCenters and was rebranded Expedia Cruises in 2020. The business expanded beyond cruise bookings into luxury and expedition travel, river cruises, land tours, safaris, resorts, and travel insurance. Expedia Group moved its headquarters from Bellevue to Seattle in 2019. The company experienced significant operational pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when canceled flights and disrupted travel created large volumes of refund and customer-service requests. Public criticism and lawsuits focused on long waits and difficulties securing refunds. In February 2020, following what management described as disappointing 2019 performance, the company announced approximately 3,000 job cuts and a broader effort to simplify its organization. The company continued to face legal and regulatory scrutiny over advertising, taxation, and the conduct of affiliated platforms. A South Carolina tax dispute involving Travelscape resulted in a state Supreme Court ruling that the business had sufficient economic presence to owe back sales taxes. A separate hotel-advertising class action settled in 2021 after claims that properties without Expedia relationships were presented in ways that could mislead consumers. Trivago, an Expedia Group company, was later found by an Australian court to have breached consumer law by promoting a cheapest-price or best-rate proposition while using advertising-based ranking practices. From 2023 onward, Expedia Group emphasized cross-brand integration and new forms of travel commerce. One Key unified rewards across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. In 2024, Travel Shops extended the company’s distribution model to creators and influencers, while an artificial-intelligence tool was introduced to assist with trip planning and management. The group also announced a further workforce reduction of approximately 1,500 positions in 2024. Expedia Group remains an active international travel-technology company whose services collectively cover lodging, flights, rentals, packages, cruises, metasearch, and related travel products.

2024
Travel Shops and AI travel tools launch
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
The group introduces creator-led Travel Shops and an artificial-intelligence tool for trip planning and management.
2023
One Key launches
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo are connected through a common loyalty program.
2020
Expedia Cruises brand is introduced
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Expedia CruiseShipCenters adopts the Expedia Cruises name and expands its broader leisure-travel proposition.
2019
Headquarters move to Seattle
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Expedia Group relocates its headquarters from Bellevue to Seattle, Washington.
2013
Expedia obtains full ownership of CruiseShipCenters
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
The cruise travel franchise becomes wholly owned by Expedia.
2011
TripAdvisor is spun off
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Expedia separates TripAdvisor from the group in December.
2007
Expedia invests in CruiseShipCenters International
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Expedia takes a significant but initially non-controlling interest in the Vancouver-based cruise travel franchise.
2005
Expedia is spun out of IAC
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
IAC separates Expedia in August, establishing the independent Expedia corporate group.
2003
IAC acquires the remaining Expedia interest
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
IAC completes its acquisition of the remaining company interest.
2001
IAC acquires control
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
USA Networks, later IAC, obtains a controlling interest in Expedia.
1999
Expedia becomes an independent public company
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
The Expedia business is spun off from Microsoft and begins operating as a separately listed company.
1996
Expedia is founded as a Microsoft division
[1]Expedia Groupen.wikipedia.org
Microsoft launches Expedia as an online travel business in October.

Products and positioning

A global, multi-brand online travel platform combining booking services, metasearch, vacation rentals, loyalty, and travel-adviser capabilities.

Online travel agency · 1996
Expedia
Expedia is the group’s broad consumer travel-booking platform. It supports searches and reservations for hotels, flights, rental cars, vacation packages, activities, and related travel services. The service is designed around both standalone bookings and bundled itineraries, making it one of the main entry points into Expedia Group’s supply and loyalty ecosystem.
Accommodation booking
Hotels.com
Hotels.com is an accommodation-focused booking brand offering hotel and lodging discovery, comparison, and reservations. It has historically operated with its own consumer identity and rewards proposition while becoming part of the One Key loyalty structure shared with Expedia and Vrbo.
Vacation-rental marketplace
Vrbo
Vrbo is Expedia Group’s vacation-rental marketplace, centered primarily on whole homes and other private accommodation suited to families and groups. It complements the group’s hotel businesses by serving travelers seeking longer stays, kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and residential-style lodging.
Travel metasearch
Trivago
Trivago operates a lodging metasearch service that compares accommodation offers from multiple booking sources. Its model directs users toward partner booking sites rather than functioning solely as a traditional inventory-owning online travel agency. The platform has also been the subject of regulatory scrutiny over price-comparison advertising.
Online travel agencies
Orbitz and Travelocity
Orbitz and Travelocity are established online travel brands within Expedia Group’s portfolio. They provide combinations of air, hotel, rental-car, and package booking, retaining distinct brand recognition while contributing to the group’s broader distribution reach.
Cruise and leisure travel agency · 2020
Expedia Cruises
Expedia Cruises is a franchise-based travel-adviser business descended from CruiseShipCenters International. In addition to cruise reservations, its advisers handle luxury and expedition travel, river cruises, land tours, safaris, all-inclusive resorts, and travel insurance. The network operates across North America.
Travel loyalty program · 2023
One Key
One Key is a unified loyalty program for Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. It allows eligible users to accumulate and redeem rewards across participating brands, supporting Expedia Group’s strategy of linking separate consumer platforms into a more integrated travel ecosystem.
Creator commerce platform · 2024
Travel Shops
Travel Shops enables influencers and content creators to curate or promote travel accommodations and earn commissions from qualifying bookings. The service extends Expedia Group’s customer-acquisition model beyond conventional search, advertising, and direct brand traffic.

Controversies

2022
Australian Trivago false-advertising judgment
Australian proceedings found Trivago had misled consumers about finding the cheapest or best lodging rates because its ranking and presentation practices were influenced by advertiser payments. The case resulted in a civil penalty of approximately US$32.91 million.
Source
2021
Hotel advertising and trademark class-action settlement
Hotel operators alleged that Expedia and partners displayed listings in ways suggesting bookability or sold-out status despite lacking relationships with the properties. The lawsuit settled with commitments concerning future advertising practices.
Source
2020
COVID-19 refund delays and customer-service complaints
Travelers criticized Expedia and related businesses for long waits and difficulty obtaining refunds after flights were canceled during the COVID-19 disruption. The issue led to multiple lawsuits.
Source
2020
United Nations listing concerning Israeli settlements
The United Nations Human Rights Council listed Expedia Group among companies whose services were considered connected with the maintenance or existence of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, raising human-rights concerns.
Source

2024Travel Shops
Global markets served by participating Expedia Group brands
Expedia Group introduced a creator-oriented commerce initiative in which influencers and content publishers could recommend accommodations through dedicated shopping experiences and receive commissions from bookings.
Outcome. Launched as a new creator-led distribution channel.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Launch creator commerce and AI trip planningProduct launch
Background
Travel discovery increasingly incorporated creator recommendations and conversational digital tools.
Action taken
Expedia Group launched Travel Shops and an artificial-intelligence tool intended to support trip planning and management.
Aftermath
The initiatives expanded the group’s customer-acquisition and trip-planning capabilities.
Source
2024
Announce another workforce reductionStrategy
Background
Expedia Group continued to adjust its organization and cost structure.
Action taken
The company announced plans to eliminate approximately 1,500 positions, including 208 in the Seattle office.
Aftermath
The planned cuts represented another significant organizational adjustment.
Source
2023
Unify loyalty through One KeyProduct launch
Background
Expedia Group operated several large consumer brands with separate customer relationships and rewards experiences.
Action taken
The company launched a common loyalty program linking Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
Aftermath
Rewards could be earned and redeemed across participating brands, strengthening cross-brand integration.
Source
2020
Restructure and reduce the workforceStrategy
Background
Management characterized the organization as overly complex and cited disappointing 2019 performance.
Action taken
The company announced approximately 3,000 job cuts and an effort to simplify operations.
Aftermath
The reduction became part of a broader efficiency and organizational-restructuring program.
Source
2005
Separate Expedia from IACM&A
Background
IAC had assembled Expedia within a wider internet and travel portfolio.
Action taken
IAC spun Expedia out as an independently operated public company.
Aftermath
The separation gave Expedia its own corporate platform for subsequent travel-brand expansion.
Source

Recent events

2026.10.21
Reported2026.10.21
Expedia Group reports planned US$3.2 billion capital raise[3]Expedia Group 报告计划募集32亿美元资金marketing-interactive.com
Expedia Group reported a planned capital raise of approximately US$3.2 billion, including a US$1.2 billion investment from Apollo Global Management and Silver Lake Partners. The transaction was expected to close on 5 May; the article does not establish that it had closed.
2022.03.01
Reported2022.03.01
Expedia Group signs preferred distribution deal with IHG[4]Expedia Group与IHG签署优先分销协议breakingtravelnews.com
Expedia Group signed to become the preferred redistributor of IHG Hotels & Resorts properties’ wholesale rates worldwide through its optimised distribution program.
2021.11.03
Reported2021.11.03
American Express Global Business Travel completes Egencia acquisition[5]American Express Global Business Travel完成对Egencia的收购traveldailymedia.com
American Express Global Business Travel completed its acquisition of travel management platform Egencia. Expedia Group became a shareholder in GBT as part of the transaction.
2021.11.03
Reported2021.11.03
Expedia Group agrees to provide lodging supply to GBT[5]American Express Global Business Travel完成对Egencia的收购traveldailymedia.com
Expedia Group entered into a long-term agreement to provide accommodations supply to American Express Global Business Travel.
2021.09.10
Reported2021.09.10
Expedia Group partners with GetYourGuide on tours and activities[6]Expedia Group与GetYourGuide合作推广旅游活动skift.com
GetYourGuide secured a partnership with Expedia Group for tours and activities distribution; the partnership was set to launch that month.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.05.08
GBT makes binding offer to acquire Egencia[7]运通商旅向易信达发出收购要约prnasia.com
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) made a binding offer to acquire Egencia, Expedia Group’s business-travel brand. The report also says Expedia Group would become a GBT shareholder and enter a long-term strategic commercial agreement with GBT as part of the transaction.
2021.04.07
Reported2021.04.07
Expedia Group appoints Patricia Menendez-Cambo to its board[8]Expedia Group任命Patricia Menendez-Cambo为董事geekwire.com
Expedia Group added Patricia Menendez-Cambo to its board of directors. She joined the board's audit committee, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of longtime board member A. George “Skip” Battle.
2020.10.16
Reported2020.10.16
UNWTO and Expedia Group sign tourism partnership[9]联合国世界旅游组织与Expedia Group签署旅游合作协议breakingtravelnews.com
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) signed a memorandum of understanding with Expedia Group to collaborate on tourism-sector recovery and resilience, including market intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurship, professional education and consumer protection.
2020.10.02
Reported2020.10.21
Expedia sells SilverRail to its management[10]Expedia 将 SilverRail 出售给其管理层railwaygazette.com
Expedia Group sold SilverRail Technologies, a rail ticket retailing and distribution platform developer, to its management. Expedia retained an interest in the company and existing strategic agreements.
2020.09.22
Reported2020.09.22
Expedia Group releases iOS 14 app updates and features[11]Expedia集团发布适配iOS 14的应用更新和功能mactech.com
Expedia Group released updated iOS apps for Brand Expedia, Hotwire, and Vrbo to use iOS 14 capabilities, including new widgets; Hotwire also added an App Clip.

Sources16 sources

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