Uber Launches In-App Hotel Bookings and Travel Services via Expedia Partnership

Uber has launched hotel bookings directly within its app through a new partnership with Expedia Group, marking a significant expansion into the travel industry beyond its core ride-hailing and delivery services. Announced Wednesday at the company's annual GO-GET product event, the feature allows U.S. users to search, browse, and reserve from over 700,000 hotels worldwide, with vacation rentals from Expedia's Vrbo brand set to follow later this year. According to Uber's official press release, this integration aims to simplify travel planning amid rising airline costs and a predicted summer surge in trips.

The partnership promises added perks for Uber One members, who pay $9.99 monthly for benefits like zero delivery fees. They can earn 10% back in Uber One credits on all bookings and secure at least 20% discounts on a rotating list of more than 10,000 hotels globally, as reported by TechCrunch and Fast Company. All prices shown include taxes and fees upfront, with credits deposited within 24 hours of check-in for use on rides or other services. Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin highlighted the seamless connection, noting it brings Uber rides into the Expedia app starting in June via push notifications for discounted trips around hotel stays.

Complementing the hotel bookings, Uber introduced Travel Mode, transforming the app into a personal travel concierge. This new feature in the Uber and Uber Eats apps offers curated recommendations for local attractions, OpenTable restaurant reservations, deliveries straight to hotel doors—dubbed "room service"—and even essentials for forgotten items. As Uber Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal explained to WTOP, these tools position the company as an "everything app" addressing multiple daily needs, with AI playing a role in features like a conversational voice booking assistant that tailors options to user preferences.

The rollout begins in select U.S. cities including Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles in the coming weeks, with plans to expand internationally. TechCrunch described how AI enhances these deeper integrations into users' lives, while Fast Company emphasized CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's push to save customers time across services. Travelers benefit from one-stop planning, potentially reducing hassle during peak seasons, though the full impact will depend on user adoption and further expansions.

This move affects millions of Uber's users, particularly frequent travelers seeking bundled savings on rides, stays, and meals. Expedia gains access to Uber's vast customer base, fostering a two-way marketplace via Rapid API technology. What happens next includes Vrbo additions, broader geographic reach, and ongoing refinements based on initial pilots, signaling Uber's aggressive pivot toward comprehensive travel solutions.