EXPEDIA EXPRESS

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This is the monthly newsletter for the MSN
™
Expedia
™
travel service, highlighting the latest site information and trends in online travel. Expedia includes many third-party offers; some restrictions may apply. For more information on these offers, please go to http://expedia.MSN.com/ .

Top Honors

  • PC Magazine awarded MSN Expedia its coveted Editor’s Choice for Best Travel Site. In its review, PC Magazine said,
    “Perfect for the beginner, Expedia offers lots of assistance and plenty of articles, maps and documentation to help ensure that users are comfortable on their chosen trip.”
    This announcement followed the MacWorld choice of Expedia as best online travel site. Also, Brill’s Content named MSN Expedia
    “among the best”
    in its
    “Best of the Web”
    feature.
    “We looked at dozens of travel sites, and Expedia stood out for its ease of use,”
    said Amy Bernstein, editorial director for Brill’s Content.
    “Its research into how people use the site seems to have paid off.”

What’s New

Notable Milestones

  • In the last full week of March, Expedia became the first online travel service to crack $13 million in sales in one week, frequently exceeding $2 million per day.


New Expedia Travel Network Members –
http://expedia.MSN.com/etn/

  • Expedia remains committed to offering consumers a wide variety of products and services through Expedia Travel Network Members. This month, Expedia welcomed new members Bid 4 Vacations, ResortQuest International and RentNet Corp. Housing.

New Chat Forum for Seniors –
http://expedia.MSN.com/forums/senior/

  • Now seniors have their own chat forum so they can stay current on the best travel deals and tips specifically for older travelers.


Use Improved

“
Best Places
”

to Research and Book Travel –
http://www.expedia.MSN.com/daily/favplaces/

  • MSN Expedia recently expanded its
    “Best Places”
    section to provide even more in-depth profiles of featured destinations. The
    “Plan This Trip”
    link located beside the story enables consumers to learn more about the destination’s hotels, restaurants, attractions, events and more.

Saving Money and Time by Making Summer Travel Plans on MSN Expedia

Buy One American Airlines Ticket, Get One Half-Off, Only on MSN Expedia

  • Now through April 18, travelers purchasing an American Airlines ticket on MSN Expedia will receive an electronic award good for half-off their next American Airlines ticket booked on Expedia. This offer is ideal for families beginning to plan summer travel. For complete details and restriction, please visit http://expedia.MSN.com/ .

New Section Makes Finding Deals Easier –
http://expedia.MSN.com/daily/deals/

  • Now consumers have even more ways to find deals on MSN Expedia. Building on the success of the
    “Special Deals”
    section on the front page, MSN Expedia has made the Deals section part of the general navigation of the site. Travelers can now find Expedia Exclusive promotions, the top deals on cruises, packages and more, in addition to headline news special deals.

Travel Chat Highlights for April –
http://expedia.MSN.com/forums/

  • Australia chat. Our experts lead this open discussion on the best places to stay, favorite summer activities and even how to pack for Australia. April 2, 7-8 p.m. PST.

  • Survive a family trip to Florida. In this chat Pam Brandon, author of
    “The Unofficial Guide to Florida With Kids,”
    reveals her tips on making the next family trip to the Sunshine State enjoyable for all. April 11, 6-7 p.m. PDT.

  • Find family fun. Our experts provide insider tips on making a family vacation without Nintendo and MTV fun for everyone. April 20, 7-8 p.m. PDT.

  • Summer hot spots in Europe.

    Travelers ask a question or just listen as our European experts reveal which beaches and attractions are top summer destinations. April 21, 6-7 p.m. PDT.

  • Trips of the millennium. Our experts provide a look at the most daring and extravagant celebrations happening across the globe on Dec. 31, 1999. April 21, 7-8 p.m. PDT.

  • Theme park adventures. Three Expedia experts speak about the top rides and thrills of the Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Fla., after their recent seven-hour trip. April 28,
    6-7 p.m. PDT.

  • Senior adventures.

    Seniors can discover how to enjoy active travel during this chat with a representative from Eldertreks, a company specializing in adventure trips for travelers 50 and older. April 28, 7-8 p.m. PDT.

Best Places –
http://expedia.MSN.com/daily/favplaces/

  • The Swiss Alps are well known for their first-class skiing and hiking. Learn about the region’s cities, walking trails and steamboats high atop the mountains beginning April 1.

  • New York is a great place for a mother and daughter to spend some quality time together. Read up on the attractions, shopping and cultural activities that make this the perfect Mother’s Day destination beginning April 13.

  • Opulent Andalusia , located in Southern Spain, is a blend of Spanish myth and grace. Read about a lively three-day journey exploring one of Spain’s top destinations beginning April 27.

Fun Statistic of the Month

  • MSN Expedia sells enough tickets to fill more than 14 747’s worth of seats every day. That breaks down to more than four tickets every minute!

Top 10 Destinations Booked Online With MSN Expedia

Where are travelers on the Net going? Following is a list of the hottest destinations booked on MSN Expedia from Feb. 15, 1999, through March 15, 1999:

  1. New York

  2. Orlando

  3. Washington, D.C.

  4. San Francisco

  5. Los Angeles

  6. Chicago

  7. Las Vegas

  8. Atlanta

  9. Phoenix

  10. Denver

About MSN Expedia Travel

MSN Expedia ( http://expedia.MSN.com/ ) is the place to go on the Web to easily plan travel, purchase tickets, and make hotel and car reservations. Part of the MSN network of Internet services, MSN Expedia also offers in-depth destination content and travel news as well as mapping services. Since its inception in October 1996, MSN Expedia has become the Web’s leading online travel agency, with weekly travel sales exceeding $13 million.

A credit card guarantee is offered on MSN Expedia (U.S. and Canadian versions only) to protect credit cards used on the Internet from fraud. With this service, after an initial purchase on Expedia, customers’ credit cards are protected from fraud liability – up to $50 (U.S.) – on any purchases made in the subsequent 12 months on or off the Internet. Since the program’s introduction in June 1998, Microsoft is proud to state that, because of the top-level site security, the service remains unused. MSN Expedia offers exceptional customer service with travel agents available via a toll-free number to answer questions and provide assistance to travelers
24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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This document is provided for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.

Microsoft, MSN and Expedia are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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