1. What is the difference between a Classic Preferred hotel and an Expedia Affiliate hotel?
Classic Preferred hotels are the same 3–5 star properties you’ve always booked through Classic. We contract with the properties directly, and we give you our famous full-service Reservation Center and in-travel Customer Service.
Expedia Affiliate hotels are contracted by Expedia. We will offer them on our website and through Online Booking Support at +1 (800) 704-7000 as a supplement to our current inventory. Because Classic is not contracting these hotels, we won’t be able to provide the same level of knowledge in the Reservation Center or the in-travel Customer Service you normally expect when booking with Classic.
2. Why is Classic selling Expedia Affiliate product?
We are adding Affiliate inventory as an additional benefit to you, our Travel Advisors. We want to offer you a deeper selection in destinations we currently sell as well as inventory in destinations that Classic doesn’t carry. We are offering this service to give you a one-stop-shop for all your bookings and commissions.
For example, you may need a 3.5-star hotel near the airport to fulfill your client’s trip to Paris. Or perhaps your client is traveling to Germany with Classic, and they want to add a couple nights in Cologne. For ease of planning, booking, and commissioning, we now offer you these supplementary products.
3. How will I know if the hotel I select is Classic Preferred or Expedia Affiliate?
The distinction between Classic Preferred hotels and Expedia Affiliate hotels will be visually obvious on the website and on your itinerary.
4. Will I have access to all specials, rooms and rates with Expedia Affiliate Hotels?
No. These hotels are contracted by Expedia, so we’ll only be selling rooms and rates that have been offered to Expedia. This means that certain room categories and promotions offered on the hotel’s website are not part of the Expedia Affiliate offering.
5. If Expedia Affiliate hotels don’t carry the usual benefits of booking with Classic, why should I book my clients in an Affiliate property?
The Expedia Affiliate program is meant to be a supplementary benefit to you, our Travel Advisors. We have heard from many of you that tracking down one-off hotels, or adding stop-overs in non-Classic destinations can be quite time-consuming. This additional product selection will give you a one-stop-shop for all of your hotels, customer service needs and commission payments.
6. Will I still get my commission with an Affiliate product?
Yes. You will be commissioned on Affiliate products when the booking travels; however, Classic is not managing the contracts or the margins, so the commission will be capped at 10%. Commissions will be tracked and paid along with your usual Classic bookings after the travel date.
7. Are the Expedia Affiliate hotels covered by either the Classic Waiver or TSP?
Yes. Classic Waiver and TSP are available on Expedia Affiliate or Classic Preferred hotels via the online booking engine or through the Call Center, subject to all current restrictions and purchase requirements.
8. Will my clients see any reference to “Expedia” on their statements or documents?
No. The client’s itinerary will not distinguish Expedia Affiliate from Classic Preferred hotels. All booking components will fit into a single seamless chronological itinerary. However, each Affiliate hotel in the booking will clearly indicate that it is not covered by the Waiver or TSP.
9. Can I combine Classic Preferred and Expedia Affiliate hotels on the same booking?
Yes. The Expedia Affiliate program is designed to help you complete itineraries in destinations where you might need choices outside of Classic’s preferred hotels. Stop-overs, one-off bookings, airport hotels and a deeper selection of moderately priced hotels will now be available to you through the Expedia Affiliate program.
10. Can I make “Options” with Expedia Affiliate hotels?
Yes, unless the specific Expedia Affiliate hotel’s room/rate requires instant purchase or is flagged as non-refundable. In those cases, the hotel’s payment requirements apply.
11. Will I still collect Royalty Rewards with an Affiliate booking?
Yes. Royalty Rewards are accrued on Classic Preferred and Expedia Affiliate hotels booked/confirmed through Classic. In addition, Royalty Rewards can be redeemed to purchase Classic Preferred and/or Expedia Affiliate hotels booked/confirmed through Classic.
12. What happens if there’s a problem with an Affiliate booking?
Pre-travel: Contact Online Booking Support at +1 (800) 704-7000 during normal Call Center hours. The booking will be subject to any applicable Affiliate hotel change or cancellation fees, which will be noted on the statements and eDocs.
During travel: Contact the main Classic Customer Service Desk at (800) 243-6499 (24/7). However, our ability to fix something for your client during travel may be limited since Classic does not have a contract or relationship with Expedia Affiliate hotels.
Post-travel: Contact the main Classic Customer Service Desk at (800) 243-6499 (24/7).
13. What is Online Booking Support? Where is it located?
Online Booking Support is staffed by members of Classic’s Customer Care team. These “super agents” have incredible destination knowledge and are skilled at making complex changes and adjustments to bookings.
14. Can I contact my dedicated Reservation Agent in the Call Center to add/change/cancel an Expedia Affiliate hotel?
No. Our Call Center Agents are exclusively responsible for selling Classic Preferred hotels. We have established a separate team, Online Booking Support, dedicated to handling all Affiliate-related questions.
15. Can I contact my dedicated Reservation Agent in the Call Center to add/change/cancel a Classic Preferred hotel on a booking that also includes an Expedia Affiliate hotel?
Yes. You can continue to use your dedicated Reservation Agent for any booking that includes Classic Preferred hotels.
16. Can I make changes to Expedia Affiliate bookings before they travel?
Yes. However, the booking will be subject to any applicable Affiliate hotel change or cancellation fees. The Affiliate hotel’s specific policies will be clearly noted on the statements and eDocs.
17. Can I cancel an Affiliate hotel and apply the original charges to a new Classic or Affiliate property?
It depends. Yes, if you change/cancel before the reservation is within the non-refundable period. No, if you request a change/cancel within the non-refundable period defined by the Affiliate hotel. The Affiliate hotel’s specific policies will be clearly noted on the statements and eDocs.
18. If I book one of my Consortia hotels through the Expedia Affiliate program, will I get the Consortia Amenity?
No. Consortia affiliations and preferred hotel programs will not be recognized for Expedia Affiliate bookings.
19. Will hotels recognize my agency information – will I get credit?
No. The reservations will not include any Travel Agency or Consortia information.