Close-up of a man using an Apple iPad Mini tablet computer to research vacation destinations, January 17, 2013.
Will Ireland | Future release | Future | Getty Images
Tripadvisor announced on Wednesday the launch of Tripadvisor Plus, a travel subscription service that gives US customers access to travel savings and other perks.
The service costs $ 99 a year and comes as many consumers travel again. U.S. airlines have already seen a surge in summer flight bookings, and the Transportation Security Administration recently screened more than 2 million people at U.S. airports, most since the pandemic started early last year. The increasing demand also leads to higher fares.
Another increase in vaccination rates is likely to make travel even more buoyant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of Americans have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and the number of new infections with Covid-19 is falling every day.
In a recent survey commissioned by data provider Cirium, 78% of respondents said they will travel this year, with around 40% planning trips this summer. From May 11th to 17th, 2,140 adults were interviewed for the survey.
Tripadvisor’s subscription service will include discounts on many tickets, tours and attractions and personalized travel tips, as well as discounted stays at more than 100,000 hotels around the world, the company said. Tripadvisor estimates the service will save members an average of $ 350 per stay, which means some members can get their annual fee back on their first trip.
Customers who sign up for the service also receive Hertz Five Star Elite status for one year, which allows them to skip the counter, earn points for free rentals, access upgrades and get priority service at many airports . The subscription will also waive the fee for young renters and provide free child car seats for subscribers.