What the Expedia Credit Card Does
The Expedia Credit Card is a co-branded rewards card issued by Citi in partnership with Expedia. It earns points on travel and dining purchases, which you can redeem for hotel stays, flights, car rentals, and activities booked through Expedia. Unlike some travel cards that give you cash back, this card locks your rewards into the Expedia ecosystem — you earn points, but you spend them on Expedia bookings.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Expedia Card and the Expedia Voyager Card. Both charge an annual fee. The main difference is the welcome bonus structure and the earning rates on different purchase categories. Neither version gives you points that transfer to airline or hotel loyalty programs, so your rewards stay within Expedia's platform.
Key Takeaways
- The Expedia Card earns points on all purchases, with higher rates on travel and dining, but points can only be redeemed through Expedia's website.
- Both versions charge an annual fee, which you should weigh against the value of the welcome bonus and your expected spending.
- Points do not transfer to airline or hotel programs, so you cannot move them to your preferred loyalty account.
- The card works best for people who book most of their travel through Expedia and spend enough to offset the annual fee.
- You need to compare the earning rates and annual fee against other travel cards to see if the rewards justify the cost for your situation.
Earning Rates and Rewards Structure
The standard Expedia Card typically earns 2 points per dollar on Expedia bookings and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Voyager Card earns higher rates on travel and dining but has a higher annual fee to match. Both cards give you a welcome bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months — the exact bonus amount changes by offer and by the time you explore.
Points are worth roughly 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through Expedia, though the actual value depends on what you book and when. A $100 hotel room might cost 10,000 points, or it might cost 12,000 points depending on Expedia's pricing that day. You cannot see the point value of a booking until you are at checkout, so you cannot plan redemptions in advance the way you can with some other programs.
Annual Fee and Whether It Makes Sense
Both versions charge an annual fee. The standard card's fee is lower than the Voyager card's fee. You receive a statement credit toward Expedia purchases after your first year, but the amount is usually less than the full annual fee, so you are paying something out of pocket to keep the card open.
The card only makes financial sense if you book travel through Expedia regularly and spend enough to earn rewards that exceed the annual fee plus any other costs. If you book flights through airline websites directly, hotels through hotel websites, or use other travel platforms, the points you earn on this card will not help you much. Calculate your expected annual Expedia spending and compare the rewards value to the annual fee before you decide.
How Points Redemption Works
You redeem points by logging into your Expedia account, searching for a hotel, flight, or rental car, and choosing to pay with points at checkout. Expedia shows you the point cost for each option. You can mix points and cash on the same booking — pay part with points and part with a credit card or other payment method.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, but they are tied to your Expedia account, not to the card itself. If you close the card, your points stay in your Expedia account. However, if you do not log into Expedia for an extended period, Expedia may close your account and forfeit your points, so check your account periodically even if you are not booking travel.
Comparing This Card to Other Travel Rewards Cards
Other travel cards let you earn points that transfer to airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you more flexibility. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum, for example, earn points you can move to dozens of partners. Those cards also tend to have higher annual fees, but the flexibility of the rewards often justifies the cost for frequent travelers.
The Expedia Card makes the most sense if you have already decided you prefer booking through Expedia and want to earn rewards on those bookings. If you are still deciding where to book travel, a flexible rewards card might serve you better. The Expedia Card locks you into one platform, which can be a disadvantage if Expedia's prices or inventory do not match what you find elsewhere.
Annual Fee Credits and Perks Beyond Points
The card includes a statement credit toward Expedia purchases each year, usually around $100 to $150 depending on the version. This credit reduces the true cost of the annual fee but does not eliminate it. You have to use the credit on Expedia bookings; it does not convert to cash or transfer elsewhere.
Both versions include travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage when you are traveling outside the United States. These protections are standard on most travel cards and should not be the main reason to choose this card, but they do add some value if you travel frequently and might need them.
Who Should Consider This Card
This card works for people who book most of their travel through Expedia and spend enough annually to earn rewards that exceed the annual fee. If you book flights, hotels, and rentals through Expedia regularly and value the simplicity of earning and redeeming points on one platform, the rewards might justify the cost.
The card does not work well if you prefer to book directly with airlines or hotels, use multiple travel platforms, or want the flexibility to move your rewards to different loyalty programs. It also may not make sense if you travel infrequently or book travel only once or twice a year, because the annual fee will eat into any rewards you earn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Expedia points to book flights on airlines other than Expedia's partners?
Yes. Expedia sells flights from most major airlines, and you can redeem points for any of them through Expedia's website. You cannot transfer points directly to an airline's loyalty program, but you can use points to pay for the flight itself when you book through Expedia.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your Expedia account and do not disappear when you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for travel through Expedia as long as your Expedia account stays active. The card and the account are separate.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. Annual fees do not earn points on any credit card. You earn points only on purchases you make with the card, not on fees charged by the card issuer.
Is the welcome bonus worth the annual fee in the first year?
That depends on the bonus amount and the annual fee at the time you explore. If the welcome bonus is worth more than the annual fee in Expedia redemption value, and you plan to keep the card for at least a year, it may be worth it. Calculate the point value based on typical Expedia bookings you make.
Can I earn points faster by using this card for everyday purchases?
You earn 1 point per dollar on non-travel, non-dining purchases, which is lower than most other rewards cards offer. For everyday spending, a flat-rate cash back card or a different rewards card usually gives you better value. Use this card primarily for Expedia bookings and dining to maximize the higher earning rates.