Orbitz unveils new mobile website and introduces new “Mobile Steals” program
Orbitz today unveiled a faster, more powerful version of its mobile website http://m.orbitz.com that makes it easy for travelers to search for and book hotel rooms, airline tickets and car rentals from any web-enabled mobile phone. Furthermore, in a capability unique to Orbitz.com and Orbitz Worldwide brands, the upgraded mobile website allows customers to book vacation packages.
Orbitz today also launched Orbitz “Mobile Steals,” exclusive, mobile-only discounts of up to 50% on hotels worldwide. Orbitz “Mobile Steals” are available across all mobile channels, including the optimized mobile website and the latest versions of the Orbitz iPad, iPhone and Android apps.
The relaunched Orbitz mobile website gives customers an intuitive search-and-book experience designed from the ground up for mobile web-enabled devices including iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows 7.
Key features of the relaunched mobile website include:
Search and book vacation packages and see package savings when booking airline and hotel together
Use intuitive swiping gestures to browse photos
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Find hotels near a customer’s current location
“The relaunched Orbitz mobile website delivers groundbreaking features designed from the ground up for mobile web-enabled devices including intuitive swiping gestures and the ability to use your smartphone to search for and book vacation packages,” said Chris Orton, president of Orbitz.com. “65% of Orbitz hotel reservations made through mobile channels are for same day stays versus 14% for reservations made through a traditional desktop browser. Through the new Orbitz “Mobile Steals” program we are able to offer deeply discounted mobile-only rates that hotel suppliers are only willing to make available through the mobile channel in order to help fill unsold rooms.”
Orbitz “Mobile Steals” are available to consumers using the Orbitz mobile website and the range of Orbitz apps for iPad, iPhone and Android. Travelers can now tap into mobile-only rates in over 50 cities around the world including New York, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Honolulu, San Diego, Tampa and Washington DC domestically, and London, Paris and Dublin internationally.
To access these special, mobile-only savings, download or upgrade to the latest version of the Orbitz iPad, iPhone and Android apps or visit the mobile website at http://m.orbitz.com, and look for special promotion text when doing a hotel search.
Orbitz mobile products deliver the same value that customers have come to expect when booking on Orbitz.com, including:
Automatic Price Assurance refunds—If another Orbitz customer books the same prepaid hotel room or flight for less, Orbitz will send a check for the difference automatically
Enhanced Low Price Guarantee—Orbitz customers who find their same prepaid hotel room or flight for a lower price online can receive a refund for the difference and a $50 discount on a future hotel booking
No Orbitz fees on hotel cancellations or changes
Also in the news today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new mobile City guides.
City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.
However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.
London.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.
Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.
Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.
City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.