Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Programme (TAAP) announces the launch of several new platform enhancements designed to help travel advisers work more efficiently, better serve their clients and unlock new earning opportunities. These updates – shaped directly by feedback from travel advisers around the world—introduce powerful tools that simplify trip management, expand payment flexibility and offer new ways to increase revenue.

Among the latest additions are enhanced deferred payment capabilities, a new bank transfer payment option and the expanded roll out of the agency service charge feature. Together, these enhancements give advisers more control over how they manage bookings, get paid and deliver value to their clients, helping them grow their business with greater ease and confidence.

“With 45% of travellers using an adviser to book most or all of their trips in the past year, it’s clear that the role of the travel adviser has never been more essential”,

said Robin Lawther, VP of Expedia TAAP. “

We’re seeing strong momentum behind our latest tools, which speaks volumes about the real-world impact they’re having on advisors’ businesses. Looking ahead, we’re continuing to invest in the platform – with new functionalities and enhancements on the horizon that will make it even easier for advisers to grow and thrive“. (Source: Expedia TAAP Traveller Research Report 2025

Deferred payment enhancements

Expedia TAAP has enhanced its popular ‘book now, pay later’ feature, with new capabilities that give travel advisers greater flexibility, control and efficiency when managing client bookings.

• Plan further ahead with confidence: advisers can now defer payment for trips up to 365 days in advance (previously 280 days), making it easier to secure early-bird deals and support clients who plan well ahead, without requiring immediate payment. This added flexibility helps advisers manage cash flow while delivering more value to their clients.
• New flexibility for deferred payment bookings: Expedia TAAP’s new Hard Change functionality was developed specifically to support bookings made with deferred payment—something that wasn’t possible before. Advisers can now make key post-booking changes, such as adjusting travel dates, occupancy or room type, directly within the platform. This enhancement eliminates the need to cancel and re-book, saving time and enabling faster responses to client needs.

These feature updates are available across all 34 Expedia TAAP markets and apply to eligible hotel bookings.

Bank transfer payment option

Advisers can now pay for hotel bookings via bank transfer, offering a flexible new alternative to other payment types. This is now live across some European markets—including Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands.

By providing more options for how agencies prefer to pay, this enhancement empowers advisers to manage bookings more efficiently and serve clients in regions where card payments may be less practical.

Expanded rollout of agency service charge

Following strong demand and early success, the agency service charge feature is now live in more than 20 markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, France and the UAE.

This powerful feature enables travel advisers to apply a discretionary service charge of up to 30% of the total lodging booking value directly within the Expedia TAAP platform. Expedia travel agent program

It’s a simple, flexible way for advisers to be rewarded for the time, expertise and personalized service they deliver—helping them grow their business while continuing to provide exceptional value to clients.

Final thoughts

Expedia TAAP’s latest enhancements reflect a broader industry trend: empowering travel advisers with greater autonomy, flexibility, and earning potential—traits increasingly demanded in a post-pandemic, experience-driven travel economy. Compared to platforms like Booking.com’s Affiliate Partner Program or Trip.com’s Agent Pro, Expedia travel agent program stands out for its growing focus on adviser-specific tools rather than just affiliate link distribution. The addition of features like deferred payment with post-booking flexibility and integrated agency service charges signals a shift from passive commission models to active business-building support.

This aligns with findings from Skift and Phocuswright, which both note a resurgence in travel agent use—especially for complex or premium travel. As travelers seek curated, human-led guidance, platforms that equip advisers to operate more like modern travel entrepreneurs are gaining traction. While competitors offer access and commission, Expedia TAAP is betting on usability and profitability—a key distinction that could determine adviser loyalty in a crowded B2B travel tech landscape.