Amazon expands Alexa+ with four partners, including Expedia

Giant will integrate Expedia into its Alexa+ voice assistant by 2026

Amazon unveils its partnership with Expedia to transform Alexa+ into a true travel booking assistant. Starting in 2026, users will be able to discover, compare, and book accommodations worldwide by leveraging Expedia's global inventory, all through voice commands. 

This integration marks a turning point in hotel distribution by enabling complex bookings without the need for a screen. Amazon simultaneously announced three complementary partnerships: one with Yelp and Angi for home services, and another with Square for wellness.

Travelers can now ask Alexa open-ended questions. The voice assistant analyzes preferences, queries Expedia's inventory, and suggests personalized options. The conversation flows seamlessly: users can refine their criteria by specifying their desired location, room type, budget, or other specific requirements, right up to final booking confirmation.

Alexa will be able to search, suggest, and compare accommodations from millions of hotels and vacation rentals worldwide. 

The system will also be able to manage existing reservations, allowing travelers to view their confirmations or modify their stays with a simple voice command.

This integration of Expedia into the Alexa+ ecosystem is part of Amazon's strategy to make it a single service channel. 

Yelp and Angi are joining the platform to connect users with home service professionals. Square, meanwhile, allows users to book appointments at hair salons, spas, and wellness centers.

“We understand that a truly useful personal assistant needs to connect to the services customers rely on every day,” said Daniel Rausch, vice president of Alexa and Echo. 

“Each new integration we add brings Alexa+ closer to managing more everyday tasks, changing how customers interact with, discover, and book services.”

As Phocuswire points out, Expedia is intensifying its commitment to AI. The company, already involved with Perplexity and OpenAI, recently appointed Xavier Amatriain as its AI director.