MSN Expedia Broadens Travel Marketplace With Launch of Business Travel Section

REDMOND, Wash., May 25, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that the MSN TM Expedia® online travel service ( http://expedia.com/ ) has introduced its Business Travel section, designed to provide business travelers with convenient tools and helpful trip-planning resources.

Business travelers have special requirements for fast, easy and convenient travel, from the onset of planning and researching to purchasing tickets and taking the trip. With this new section, MSN Expedia provides resources designed specifically for business travelers, such as an airport survival guide and a 12-month free* frequent traveler tracking service through MileageMiner from MaxMiles.

“The Business Travel section provides comprehensive, time-saving resources for our customers who travel on business,”
said Erik Blachford, director of marketing, MSN Expedia.
“The section provides business travelers with everything from the latest flight arrival and departure information to interviews with business leaders about their travel styles and secrets.”

The following features appear in the Business Travel section:

  • MileageMiner, a service available through MaxMiles, consolidates and manages frequent travel programs in one location and reports on account status and program alerts. Each customer of MSN Expedia is entitled to a 12-month free* subscription to this service.

  • Stuck at the Airport is an airport survival guide that provides tips on taking care of business and suggestions for unwinding on breaks between flights. In addition, it offers links to airport maps and ground transportation information.

  • On the Move features personal interviews with well-known frequent travelers about ways they stay comfortable and productive when they’re traveling.

  • Word From the Front Lines highlights news specific to business travelers’ needs, such as travel advisories, product reviews targeting the
    “road warrior”
    and reports by columnists on the move.

The new section will also provide special deals from preferred travel suppliers chosen for their value to business travelers. The launch of the Business Travel section coincides with the availability of an offer that will have particular appeal to business travelers. Now through June 25, travelers booking a hotel room at any of the participating Sheraton, Westin, Four Points,
St. Regis/Luxury Collection or W Hotels through MSN Expedia will save 50 percent off up to five consecutive nights on a future stay.**

About MSN Expedia Travel

MSN Expedia ( http://expedia.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. In addition, MSN Expedia recently won the PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award for best leisure travel Web site. Since its inception in October 1996, MSN Expedia has become the Web’s leading online travel agency, 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 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 also offers exceptional customer service with more than 200 travel agents available via a toll-free number to answer questions and provide assistance to travelers while they are en route 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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.

* Offer available worldwide and expires one year from initial sign-up.

** Guests must complete their initial stay at any of the participating Starwood hotels and resorts by Sept. 1, 1999, to save 50 percent off up to five consecutive nights on a future stay. The 50 percent off award is subject to availability and must be used by December 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 Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

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