Expedia.com(R), the award winning online travel service, today announced that it remains the
only online travel site with the “triple crown” of privacy seals that ensure
the protection of customers` privacy.
To retain these privacy seals,
Expedia(R) successfully completed an annual assessment by the privacy programs
of TRUSTe and the Better Business Bureau Online (BBBOnline), and passed an
updated privacy audit from PricewaterhouseCoopers. These privacy reviews
verified that Expedia.com is living up to all aspects of its privacy policy.
 
According to Forrester Research, nearly half of all online travelers are
seriously concerned about their ability to maintain their privacy on the Web.
With its three privacy seals and industry leading privacy policy, Expedia is
helping to allay consumers` concerns by renewing its commitment to maintaining
the security and confidentiality of personally identifiable information (PII)
provided by consumers.  Expedia`s privacy policy is written in plain English
and clearly explains that the company will not sell or rent PII.  Expedia.com
also gives customers choice and control over the collection of their PII, as
well as a means of updating, correcting, or removing any PII stored in their
customer profile on Expedia.com.
 
“With the holiday season in full swing, Expedia has renewed its dedication
to protecting PII at a time when more Americans are traveling and going online
to plan and book their trips,” said Tony Gonchar, privacy officer at Expedia,
Inc. “We are assuring these travelers that protecting their privacy, as
always, continues to be one of Expedia`s primary commitments.”
 
Expedia completed its first privacy audit with PricewaterhouseCoopers in
September 2000, securing independent assurance that the company practiced the
policies in its privacy statement, which had been revamped at the same time to
give customers complete control over the use of the personal information they
share with Expedia.com. In December 2000, TRUSTe and BBBOnLine awarded its
first seals to Expedia as a testament to the company`s dedication to
instilling customer confidence in the site.
 
“With these updated endorsements, Expedia continues to lead the online
travel industry with our commitment to ensuring the confidentiality of our
customers` information and by empowering them to control their own PII,”
Gonchar added. “As the only online travel agency that can claim the triple
crown of privacy protection, we hope to raise the industry bar.”

About the privacy seals

  TRUSTe, an independent, nonprofit organization, promotes the use of fair
information practices and awards its symbol to sites that enable visitors to
have full control over how their personal information is used. The privacy
seal of the BBBOnLine, an arm of the Council of Better Business Bureaus,
confirms a company stands behind its online privacy policy and has met the
program requirements regarding the handling of personal information that is
provided through its website. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the world`s largest
professional services organization and leading provider of privacy services,
conducted a rigorous, internal audit to certify that Expedia lives by the
language of its privacy policy.

 
About Expedia, Inc.

  Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE) operates Expedia.com, an independent leading
online travel service in the United States with localized versions in Canada
and Europe. To help travelers travel right, Expedia.com provides a wide
variety of travel products and services, such as Expedia(R) Special Rate
hotels and vacation rentals with the guaranteed lowest prices. Expedia`s
quality and leadership were recognized by several awards, including both PC
Magazine`s “Readers` Choice” and “Editors` Choice” Awards, Forbes` “Favorite
General Travel Site,” Smart Business` MVP Award, PC World`s “Best Bet” and
IFITT`s “Best Web site in the Travel Agency, Tour Operator and Cruise
Category.” Expedia is ranked the seventh largest travel agency in the U.S.
according to Travel Weekly Magazine.
 
Expedia.com customers are supported by a credit card guarantee (U.S. site
only), an industry-leading privacy policy, and live agents via e-mail and an
800-number available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Expedia.com is also
available under Travel on the MSN(R) network of Internet services.
 
www.expedia.com

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