Expedia Announces New Long-Term Global Partnership With Marriott International, Inc.

New Strategic Relationship Between Two Industry Leaders Includes Technical Enhancements and Expanded Access to Marriott Inventory for Expedia Customers Worldwide

Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) and Hotels.com today announced a long-term strategic relationship by signing a new three-year agreement with Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) .

This progressive relationship expands upon a previous two-year agreement and features an innovative incentive arrangement designed to reward Expedia for delivering business to Marriott hotels during off-peak travel periods, and provides Marriott hotels with flexible economic terms.

In addition, Marriott will expand its direct connect technology arrangement with Expedia globally and provide Expedia customers with greater access to Marriott inventory and rates.

"We are thrilled to deepen our strong relationship with an industry leader like Marriott," said Paul Brown, President, Partner Services Group, Expedia, Inc. "Our expanded partnership provides flexibility and customization for the special needs of Marriott and demonstrates how Expedia works closely with its partners to help them thrive in both the short-term and over the long haul."

Added Shafiq Khan, Senior Vice President of eCommerce at Marriott International: "Flexible economics and linking compensation to value are key tenets of Marriott's distribution strategy. We're pleased to reach this important agreement, especially with Expedia's commitment to explore new ways of doing business."

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia.com. Travel Right! Expedia, Inc. is one of the world's leading travel services companies. With its portfolio of leading travel brands, Expedia, Inc. empowers business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. The company also provides wholesale travel to offline retail travel agents. Expedia, Inc.'s main businesses and brands include: Expedia.com(R), Hotels.com(TM), Hotwire(R), Expedia(R) Corporate Travel, TripAdvisor(TM) and Classic Vacations(R). Expedia, Inc.'s companies also operate internationally with sites in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and China, through its investment in eLong(TM). For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ .

About Marriott International, Inc.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading lodging company with more than 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; operates conference centers; and manages golf courses.

The company is headquartered in metropolitan Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune(R) magazine. In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

NOTE: Expedia, Expedia.com, the airplane logo and Classic Vacations are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Hotels.com is a trademark of Hotels.com, L.P. in the United States and other countries. Hotwire is either a registered trademark or trademark of Hotwire, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. TripAdvisor is a trademark of TripAdvisor, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Expedia, Inc.
BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 9, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

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