Orbitz just launched a new program to reward travelers for staying at home — the first 1,000 entrants will earn $100 toward a future hotel stay

Hannah Freedman

May 5, 2020, 18:15 IST

Orbitz

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Orbitz is launching a new program to reward travelers for staying at home.
The first 1,000 people to visit Orbitz.com/stayhome and enter both the number of days they've stayed home and which stay-at-home activities they've completed will receive $100 in Orbucks.
Orbucks, or travel dollars equal to $1 USD, can be redeemed at over 385,000 hotel partners.
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Usually, you earn travel rewards for, you know, traveling. But because of the novel coronavirus, millions of Americans are sheltering in place, and the travel industry has been widely disrupted. Travel-booking site Orbitz is taking the opportunity to flip the script and reward travelers for staying at home and doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 with their new rewards program.

What is Orbitz?

Orbitz is a travel-booking site that offers cash-back-style travel rewards. The site usually gives members up to 5% back on all bookings. Members instantly earn Orbucks, or travel dollars equal to $1 USD, on hotels, flights, and packages, which can be redeemed at over 385,000 hotels worldwide, including major chains like Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham.

Members earn 1% on flights and packages, 3% back on hotels, and 5% on hotels booked in the Orbitz apps. A $1 Orbuck equals $1 off a future hotel stay. Members are also eligible to receive hotel perks and travel benefits like free WiFi, breakfast, and having fees covered for applications for TSA Pre.

What's the new Orbitz program?

Now, travelers have the chance to earn $100 toward a future post-quarantine trip by not going anywhere.

"COVID-19 has forced many of us to miss vacations, work trips, family gatherings and so many other milestones in our everyday lives," says Carey Malloy, brand director at Orbitz. "While we'd normally reward our members for going places, this extraordinary situation calls for us all to stay home right now as much as we can. So that's what we're doing: rewarding you for going nowhere."

Orbitz is launching Orbitz.com/stayhome beginning May 5, 2020. The promotion is open to both new and current Orbitz Rewards members, and signing up to become a rewards member is free and as easy as entering your email.

How to earn

The first 1,000 people to visit Orbitz.com/stayhome and enter both the number of days they've stayed home and which stay-at-home activities they've completed will receive $100 in Orbucks. That's $100 off a future hotel booking with any Orbitz partners.

The list of at-home activities participants can check off includes attending a virtual happy hour, working out at home, giving a haircut, or binging TV shows.

Orbitz is also offering members other ways to earn travel money while safely staying at home. For example, you can register any credit or debit card in the Dining Rewards program to net 5% back in Orbucks for ordering take out or delivery direct from participating restaurants across the US. You can also still earn Orbitz Rewards by booking future travel with Orbitz online or in the app.