Walmart, Expedia Group Partner to Offer Loyalty Members Travel Benefit

Walmart, together with Expedia Group, is now offering Walmart+ members the chance to earn Walmart cash back when they book vacations through Walmartplustravel.com. The companies said in a press release Wednesday that Walmart+ members will receive 5 percent Walmart Cash on hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals and activities bookings, 2 percent Walmart Cash on all flights, and a blended rate of Walmart Cash on vacation packages.

“We're bringing together the ultimate savings membership and vacation booking site to deliver a first-ever travel-focused benefit for Walmart+ members,” said Venessa Yates, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart+. “Combined with our other benefits — including free delivery, streaming and savings on fuel — we’re creating a membership that saves customers time and money, whether they’re at home or having fun at their favorite vacation destination.”

Total Retail's Take: Reuters reported that the retail giant's subscription service hit a record 20 million subscribers in May, up from 19.3 million in early April, boosted by increased marketing and promotional activity, according to a Morgan Stanley survey. Walmart+ is a direct competitor of Amazon.com's premium loyalty program, Amazon Prime, and typically when one company takes some action it elicits a reaction from the other.

In July, Amazon partnered with travel booking site Priceline to offer discounts for Prime Day, the first time an online travel agency participated in the event. With Americans reducing their spending on most categories other than travel — according to a McKinsey July 2023 consumer report — it makes sense that retailers like Walmart and Amazon are offering new travel perks to loyal customers. The travel boom we've seen post-pandemic is an area that retailers are trying to find ways to tap into. Amazon and Walmart are doing so through innovative partnerships.