Putting the traveller first, Expedia.co.nz encourages further freedom and flexibility

Auckland, 15 March 2010: Expedia, Inc., the world's largest online travel company and the operator of the Expedia.co.nzTM website, today announced it has eliminated its change fees and cancellation fees on all flights, hotels, packages and car reservations booked on Expedia.co.nz, with immediate effect.

The development allows customers to change or cancel reservations by calling Expedia.co.nz's newly-dedicated 24 hour call centre without incurring any Expedia® fees. As a result, Expedia.co.nz becomes the first and only online travel website to allow its New Zealand customers to cancel or change a booking over the phone without paying any Expedia change or cancellation fees.

The move comes six months after Expedia became the first travel website in New Zealand to eliminate its flight booking fees. Now, customers can book a number of travel services on Expedia.co.nz - such as flights - without paying an Expedia booking fee. And, no matter how many times their plans change, they will not have to pay any Expedia change or cancellation fees. Change and cancellation fees imposed by airlines, hotel or car hire companies may still be payable.

Louise Crompton, Marketing Manager for Expedia.co.nz, said: "Expedia understands that sometimes circumstances can affect travel plans at a moment's notice. Travellers should not be penalised for this reality. As part of Expedia.co.nz's commitment to putting the traveller first, it is only fitting to eliminate our change and cancellation fees to provide customers further flexibility and convenience.

"New Zealanders should be concerned about the amount of money they pay in fees with other travel websites. Removing all of our change and cancellation fees and our flight booking fees definitely increases Expedia.co.nz's value proposition for consumers and is unique to the market," Ms Crompton added.

Currently, New Zealand travellers may be charged change and cancellation fees of up to $125 with other travel websites when changing or cancelling by phone. Travellers may also be charged up to $40 when booking a flight on websites other than Expedia.co.nz.

"Aside from offering great value, Expedia.co.nz provides travellers benefits that are not offered by other travel websites in New Zealand, including proprietary research tools and thousands of user reviews and recommendations. With more than 170 airlines to choose from, and sophisticated technology that enables travellers to search for and compare the best possible fares and itineraries, Expedia.co.nz offers New Zealanders the single best place to book their travel," Ms Crompton said.

Expedia.co.nz has not charged customers flight booking fees since 3 September 2009.