As a real estate agent, travel is often a significant part of your job. Whether you’re scoping out properties, meeting with clients in different locations, or attending industry events, you’re likely familiar with the expenses associated with constant travel. Fortunately, booking platforms like Expedia can be powerful tools to make your travel more cost-effective and enjoyable. Here’s a guide on how real estate agents can make the most out of Expedia for business travel, securing great deals and valuable amenities along the way.
1. Why Expedia is Ideal for Real Estate Professionals
Expedia offers a vast selection of flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages, allowing you to book and manage every aspect of your trip from a single platform. With its user-friendly app and website, Expedia makes it easy to compare prices, track travel expenses, and quickly adapt if you need to modify your plans—a common necessity in the fast-paced world of real estate.
Expedia’s Rewards Program also lets frequent travelers accumulate points on flights, hotels, and vacation packages, which can later be redeemed for discounts, upgrades, and perks on future trips.
2. Key Strategies for Securing the Best Prices on Expedia
- Book in Advance, But Look for Flexibility: For real estate agents, last-minute travel can be inevitable. However, when you can plan ahead, Expedia offers excellent early booking discounts. Look for refundable options or “Free Cancellation” listings, which give you the flexibility to change your plans if necessary.
- Bundle Your Travel Needs: Expedia’s “bundle and save” feature allows you to book flights, hotels, and car rentals together. This approach can save you a considerable amount—sometimes up to 20% off compared to booking separately.
- Utilize Filters for Business Travel Amenities: Make sure you’re getting a hotel that caters to business travelers by using Expedia’s filters. Look for properties with amenities like free Wi-Fi, business centers, and even on-site meeting rooms. Real estate agents can use these facilities to conduct virtual tours or meet with local clients conveniently.
Expedia offers exclusive discounts for last-minute bookings and mobile app users. By downloading the Expedia app, you gain access to app-only deals, which can be particularly useful if you need to book a quick stay for unexpected client meetings.
Expedia’s Deals section frequently features flash sales and last-minute discounts on flights, hotels, and packages. For real estate agents who frequently travel on short notice, this can provide excellent savings on quality accommodations.
4. Expedia’s Rewards Program: A Real Estate Agent’s Best Friend
As a frequent traveler, you can benefit greatly from the Expedia Rewards program. Here’s how it works and how you can maximize it:
- Earn Points on Every Booking: For each hotel, flight, or car rental you book, you earn points that can be used on future bookings. Over time, these points accumulate, allowing you to redeem them for free or discounted accommodations.
- VIP Access Hotels for Upgrades and Perks: Expedia’s VIP Access hotels provide additional perks for loyalty members. These hotels often offer upgrades, early check-ins, and other amenities at no extra cost, making your stay more comfortable and professional.
- Double Up with Frequent Flyer and Hotel Loyalty Points: You don’t have to sacrifice your other loyalty programs. Many hotels and airlines listed on Expedia allow you to enter your loyalty program information, so you’re effectively earning double the rewards on every booking.
Expedia has tools specifically for business travelers. Expedia for Business allows you to set up a profile, track travel expenses, and manage your bookings efficiently. You can create reports on travel expenses, useful for tax purposes, or if you’re managing travel expenses for a team.
The platform also provides dedicated customer support for business accounts, so if issues arise with your booking, you’ll have a streamlined way to get assistance.
6. Top Destination Ideas for Real Estate Networking and Conferences
While traveling for specific client or property needs is common, attending industry events and conferences is also valuable for growing your network and expanding your expertise. Expedia frequently offers discounts on popular travel destinations for events. Here are some destinations where real estate networking thrives:
- Miami, Florida: Known for its vibrant real estate market, Miami is a hub for networking events, luxury property showcases, and real estate conferences.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: With year-round real estate events, Las Vegas offers affordable flights and accommodations on Expedia, making it a cost-effective choice for business travel.
- New York City, New York: If you’re looking to break into the high-end real estate market, NYC is the place to be. While generally a pricey city, Expedia can help you find deals, particularly on mid-week stays.
- Austin, Texas: As a growing real estate market, Austin is ideal for agents looking to understand trends in technology-driven real estate. Expedia often has affordable hotel and flight options to Austin, particularly when booked in advance.
- Keep Track of Receipts: Expedia allows you to download receipts directly from your account. This makes it easy to keep records for tax deductions and expense reimbursements.
- Set Up Price Alerts for Major Cities: If there are specific cities you frequently travel to, set up price alerts on Expedia. This feature notifies you of any price drops or discounts, enabling you to book at the best rate.
- Use Business Credit Cards for Additional Rewards: If you have a business credit card that rewards travel purchases, use it on your Expedia bookings to double-dip on both Expedia points and credit card points.
Expedia is a valuable platform for real estate agents who travel frequently, offering everything from exclusive discounts and rewards to tailored business travel tools. By leveraging its features, you can make your travel more cost-effective, convenient, and comfortable, allowing you to focus on what matters most: building client relationships and closing deals.