Expedia Partners With Group Purchasing Outfit
by By Michèle McDonaldExpedia.com is creating a discount program exclusively for members of National Purchasing Partners (NPP), a group purchasing organization. The program will offer savings over and above Expedia’s regular prices.
NPP’s members are generally corporations, public entities such as state and municipal governments and schools, and nonprofit entities. However, individual employees of those organizations also can take advantage of NPP discount programs.
The Expedia discounts, which will not be available to non-NPP members, will apply to both business and leisure travel products.
The target market is small businesses that do not have big travel budgets and are looking for ways to make travel more affordable.
How it works
Organizations can join National Purchasing Partners for free, and there is no obligation to purchase.
Participating suppliers in National Purchasing Partners such as Verizon, Staples, Fastenal, John Deere, Sprint and Wesco provide discounts on goods and services, including wireless service, electronic devices, equipment, office and industrial supplies, furniture, printing and shipping.
Users who have reviewed NPP say the discounts can be “significant.”
Founded in 2001, NPP is owned by Virginia Mason Medical Center, a top hospital in Seattle. According to the company, “much of NPP’s revenue supports medical research and other health care initiatives.”
