Expedia Powers Uber's New Hotel Feature, Opening a Fresh Distribution Channel for Listed Properties

Uber announced on April 29 that U.S. users can now book hotels directly in the Uber app, with over 700,000 properties available through a new partnership with Expedia Group. For hotel and accommodation operators already listed on Expedia brands, this means their inventory is now in front of Uber's user base — without any additional onboarding required.

The integration is built on Expedia Group's Rapid API, the same B2B technology layer that powers distribution for airlines, banks, and loyalty programs. Expedia's B2B segment has been growing significantly faster than its consumer business, and the Uber deal is the clearest signal yet that the company sees its role increasingly as an inventory and infrastructure provider rather than just a consumer-facing booking site.

What the Deal Looks Like

The hotels tab is now live in the Uber app for U.S. users. Uber One members — the company's subscription tier — earn 10% back in Uber credits on any hotel booking and get at least 20% off a rotating list of more than 10,000 properties globally.

Vacation rentals via Vrbo will be added to the Uber app later this year. On the other side of the partnership, Uber rides will be integrated directly into the Expedia app starting in June. Travelers will get push notifications before their hotel check-in date, letting them book discounted Uber rides for the duration of their trip.

Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin put it plainly: "By connecting our two-sided marketplace with Uber, we're bringing Uber rides directly into the Expedia app and Expedia Group's lodging inventory into the Uber app through our Rapid API technology."

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who previously led Expedia for over a decade and still sits on its board, framed it as part of a broader platform strategy: "Uber is becoming an app for everything — helping people go, get, and now travel all in one place."

What It Means for Operators

Properties listed on Expedia Group brands (Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo) are now accessible to Uber's user base at no additional effort on their part. But there's a catch worth noting: the Uber One discount program offers members 20% or more off a curated selection of hotels. If your property ends up on that rotating list, the discount comes out of your margin — the same mechanics as any promotional rate program on Expedia.

The partnership also underscores a broader trend in OTA distribution. Expedia is steadily building out a network of third-party channels powered by its Rapid API, turning its inventory into a wholesale product sold through other platforms. For operators, this means more eyes on their listings, but also more intermediary layers between them and the traveler.

Uber says the partnership is expected to expand beyond the U.S., which would make it a meaningful new channel for properties in international markets too.

The deal was announced at Uber's annual GO-GET product event in New York on April 29.