Walmart+ Rolls Out New Travel Benefit

Walmart+ is a paid membership that lets subscribers access perks like fuel discounts, free shipping on online purchases and grocery delivery without delivery fees. Now, the huge retailer has announced its entry into the travel game, partnering with Expedia for a new program that aims to help customers save on airfare, hotels and more. Customers will also earn cash back rewards on bookings.

Essentially, Walmart+ members can now book getaways through WalmartPlusTravel.com and earn Walmart Cash, which can be used at any Walmart store or Walmart.com. If you're a Walmart+ member or you’re thinking of joining, read on to find out how the new Walmart+ travel portal works, as well as what Walmart Cash is and how it's different from the rewards you earn with the Walmart Rewards® Card and the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard.

Now live: Walmart+ travel booking portal

According to the behemoth retailer, the Walmart+ travel booking portal is powered by Expedia and gives members access to more than 900,000 properties, more than 500 airlines and more than 100 car rental companies around the world. Members of the program can also use the portal to book full-fledged vacation packages, as well as tours and other activities.

If you're wondering why anyone would want to book travel through Walmart instead of through Expedia or another travel site, the new program is offering a major incentive. Walmart+ members can earn Walmart Cash for each dollar they spend through the portal. According to the retailer, Walmart Cash is a new rewards currency that's exclusively available to Walmart+ members who make eligible purchases through the company.

Specifically, Walmart+ members who book travel through WalmartPlusTravel.com get the chance to earn 5% Walmart Cash on hotel bookings, vacation rentals, car rentals and activities bookings, plus 2% Walmart Cash on all flights. Members can also earn a blended rate of Walmart Cash on vacation packages, which includes 5% back on the hotel or resort component of a booking and 2% back on flights.

Note that Walmart Cash is a separate rewards currency that can only be earned by Walmart+ members, and can only be redeemed for Walmart purchases in-store or online, or for cash at a Walmart register. Members who book travel through the portal will see their Walmart Cash in their online account 30 days after eligible travel is completed.

Walmart Cash is completely separate from the rewards you can earn with the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card or the in-store only Walmart Rewards® Card, which you can redeem for statement credits, cash back, gift cards or travel. Who is Walmart Travel best for? The Walmart Travel portal is specifically geared to loyal members of the big box retailer, or the type of person who would pay for a Walmart+ subscription. For the most part, this includes families and other people who prefer to have groceries delivered and want free shipping for Walmart purchases when they shop online.

Walmart Travel adds yet another layer of benefits to this membership, particularly for people who want an easy way to earn rewards on airfare, hotels, car rentals and vacation packages. Walmart Cash is redeemable for Walmart purchases or cash back at a register, which is convenient for people who already spend money at Walmart stores regularly.

For those who don't have a Walmart+ subscription already, it's worth mentioning that this membership offers a 30-day free trial. After that, Walmart+ members pay an ongoing fee of $12.95 per month.

But while this may seem like a lot, Walmart says this membership can help users save over $1,300 per year, with features like:

It's also possible to get Walmart+ membership for free if you have the right credit card. In fact, individuals with the Platinum Card® from American Express automatically get a Walmart+ credit of up to $155 that applies to their account annually. This credit is given out in $12.95 monthly increments, which cover the regular subscription fee throughout the year — all members have to do to qualify is use their credit card as the preferred payment method for Walmart+ membership.

Should you use Walmart+ travel?

If you're already a Walmart+ member, it would make sense to check out the Walmart travel portal the next time you need to book airfare, hotels, car rentals or other vacation items. You can earn 2% or 5% Walmart Cash on eligible travel bookings, which you can cash out at a Walmart register or redeem for merchandise in-store or online. WalmartPlusTravel.com is also powered by Expedia, a travel brand known for offering exceptional rates on hotels and vacation packages.

And if you like to travel and most of your shopping is done through Walmart, you might want to look into a Walmart+ account and see if you’ll save money.

However, keep in mind that you can miss out on other perks when you book travel through a third-party. For example, you’ll miss out on the elite hotel benefits you’d receive if you booked directly through hotel brands like Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt. In addition, third-party travel bookings through companies like Expedia may have more complicated and less generous procedures for cancellations and changes to your booking, so make sure you read the terms and conditions before you book.