For the 2027/28 Connectivity Partner Program, both Elite and Preferred partners will be eligible for the following potential benefits, unless otherwise noted.1
Expedia Group’s Connectivity Partner Program
Expedia Group’s Connectivity Partner Program is designed to recognize our top connectivity partners and reward them with exclusive benefits. The program offers benefits for connectivity partners in two qualifying tiers, Elite and Preferred, which may include business advantages, special product access and collaboration, and premium promotion. Connectivity partners can qualify based on their standing across various market enhancements, engagement quality, and technical criteria metrics.
How to qualify
Connectivity partners can secure Elite or Preferred status for 2028 by reaching specific goals and business and technical metrics under the categories listed.3
Qualifying metrics
| Category | Metric |
|---|---|
| Commercial performance | Measures Net Booking Value (NBV): total booked reservation amount including taxes and fees, net of cancellations. Tracks year-over-year growth in NBV for connected properties. Net new properties year-over-year growth. |
| Technical | Focuses on adoption of key capabilities such as reservation management (delivery, retrieval, update), product management and Autonomous Distribution. Measures performance across all adopted capabilities. Measures the percentage of properties that have at least one API call in a given period. |
| Partnership quality | A minimum of one Optimization Initiative is mandatory to qualify for Elite or Preferred status. A focus on driving measurable results. Assesses overall collaboration with Expedia Group. Includes participation surveys, leadership and technical engagement, innovation, and commitment to Autonomous Supply suite. |
Please consult your account manager for more details.
2027/28 Connectivity Partner Program minimum requirements
System type requirements: Property Distribution Software4
Commercial requirements: Expedia Group API License Agreement acceptance.
Technical requirements: Availability/Rates API with support for Expedia Traveler Preference (ETP); Booking APIs with support for virtual cards, Value Add Promotions (VAP), and extended POS; PCI compliance (where applicable).
As part of the Expedia Group Connectivity Partner Agreement, you are required to maintain the health of your connection and may be required to implement mandatory updates and modifications. Expedia Group reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether a connectivity partner is eligible to participate in, or remain in, the program.
Timeline
The Connectivity Partner Program will operate on an annual basis:
- October 2026: 2027/28 program criteria announced
- January 1 - December 31, 2027: Program qualification measurement period for 2028
- September 30, 2027: Deadline to submit capability adoption certification requests
- October 22, 2027: Deadline to submit Optimization Initiatives (OI) planning requests
- November 24, 2027: Deadline to complete capability adoption certifications
- December 10, 2027: Deadline to complete Optimization Initiative (OI) for credit
- Q1 2028 - Elite and Preferred partners announced for 2028 program
See the current list of Elite and Preferred Connectivity Partners
Want to participate?
Already participating and have questions? Contact your Connectivity Account Manager.
1 The list of benefits offered in the program is subject to change by Expedia Group and benefits with additional qualifying criteria or availability considerations are noted.
2 Expedia Group will determine in its sole discretion whether any API or capability is offered to connectivity partners qualified to receive this benefit.
3 Expedia Group will determine in its sole discretion whether connectivity partners are accepted or can remain in the program.
4 "Distribution" refers to sending Availability and Rates and receiving Bookings.
