Travelers Who Use MSN Expedia to Book a Night at Any Participating Starwood Hotel or Resort Get Half Off Up to Five Nights on a Future Stay

REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 1999 — Now through June 25, travelers who book a hotel room at any participating Starwood hotel or resort through the MSN TM Expedia® travel service ( http://expedia.MSN.com/ ) will get 50 percent off up to five consecutive nights on a future stay. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. includes Sheraton, Westin, Four Points, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Caesars and W hotels.

Memorial Day marks the official start of the summer travel season, and the Travel Industry Association predicts Americans will travel in record numbers this year.

“More than ever, people are using the Internet to make their travel plans. We are kicking off this summer travel season by bringing this exclusive offer to the millions of customers of MSN Expedia,”
said Brian Pratt, vice president of Interactive Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
“The overall ease of use and convenience of Expedia provides customers with an excellent vehicle for making their travel plans online.”

Guests must complete their initial stay at any of the participating Sheraton, Westin, Four Points, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Caesars and W hotels by Sept. 1, 1999, to save 50 percent off up to five consecutive nights on a future stay. The expiration for that future stay is Dec. 30, 2000. Upon completion of the initial stay, qualifying guests will automatically be enrolled in the Starwood Preferred Guest program, Starpoints. The Preferred Guest frequency points can be used for free nights at one of more than 600 of the finest hotels and resorts in 70 countries. They can be applied one-to-one toward most airline frequent flyer programs and retail stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and the Gap. The offer** is valid for reservations booked from May 24 through June 25, 1999. Complete details are available at http://expedia.MSN.com/ .*

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., through its Sheraton, Westin, Four Points, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Caesars and W subsidiaries, is one of the leading hotel and gaming operating companies in the world, with more than 712 hotels in 72 countries and 125,000 employees.

Starwood Preferred Guest is the hotel industry’s most rewarding frequent travel program. Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn points and redeem rewards at Sheraton, Westin, Four Points, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Caesars and W hotel properties. Launched in February 1999, Starwood Preferred Guest features no blackout dates, no capacity controls, no expiration of points, the fastest way to a free night, the easiest way to a free flight and an unsurpassed portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts – including 36 hotels and resorts in the Platinum Card Fine Hotels, Resorts and Spas program.

About MSN Expedia

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. Expedia offers in-depth destination content and travel news as well as mapping, address-finding and direction services. In addition, PC Magazine recently announced Expedia is the
“Editor’s Choice”
for best leisure-travel site. Expedia is also one of the Web’s most successful electronic-commerce sites, with weekly travel sales currently exceeding $16 million.

A credit card guarantee is offered on MSN Expedia (U.S. and Canadian versions only) to protect credit card users 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 also offers 24-hour toll-free telephone and e-mail support to help customers before, during and after their travels.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

* The 50 percent off award is subject to availability and must be used by Dec. 30, 2000. The award is not combinable with other room or rate promotional discounts or special programs and is nontransferable. The offer is valid for reservations made on Expedia.com from May 24 through June 25, 1999.

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.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Expedia, please visit http://expedia.MSN.com/daily/press/ . If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

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