UBER adds hotel bookings through Expedia partnership
Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) announced at its annual GO-GET product event that it will add hotel booking capabilities to its app through a partnership with Expedia Group Inc. (NYSE: EXPE).
The partnership will provide Uber users in the United States access to more than 700,000 hotel properties globally. Uber One members will earn 10% back in credits on hotel bookings and receive discounts of at least 20% on more than 10,000 hotels worldwide. Vacation rental options from Expedia's Vrbo brand will be added later this year.
The company also introduced Travel Mode, which offers travelers recommendations for local destinations, restaurant reservations through OpenTable, and hotel delivery services. Additionally, Uber launched Shop for Me, allowing users to request items from stores not listed on the app.
New features include Voice Bookings, which uses artificial intelligence to help users book rides through conversational commands, and Eats for the Way, enabling riders in select cities to add food orders to reserved Uber Black vehicles.
Uber expanded its One Search function to display results for transportation, food, and shopping across its platform from a single search bar. The company also made Uber One membership benefits available internationally, allowing members to earn credits on rides abroad.
"Uber is becoming an app for everything—helping people go, get, and now travel all in one place," said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's chief executive officer.
Following an initial pilot program, Uber rides will be integrated into the Expedia app beginning in June, with travelers receiving notifications to book discounted rides for their trips.
