Groupon, Expedia Partnership Begins with Getaway Deals

Groupon, which announced a partnership with Expedia last month, expanded its offerings to include flights, hotel rooms and cruise packages on Monday evening. Groupon Getaways will offer high discounts for short periods of time, likely triggering an online stampede for savings.

A move into the travel industry is a big deal for Groupon, which has probably never walked onto a playing field so packed with competition. Flight discount and aggregation sites are numerous, profitable and likely more than willing to fiercely defend their territory.

The kickoff comes as Expedia prepares for the spin off and public offering of TripAdvisor and rumors of an upcoming travel-related announcement by Google make the market edgy.

The Groupon model is a fairly natural fit for younger travelers, who are more likely than their parents to jet off to the Bahamas or Vegas with their buddies. Whether or not members of less impulsive demographics will be impressed remains to be seen, though the site is discounting some trips for two as well.

Among the initial deals, a stay at the Pointe Hotel in Vermont for 50% off and a $1000 Tahitian travel voucher on sale for $500.

Early Tuesday morning, the Groupon.com was under construction.