Your Membership at Work During One of the Busiest Travel Weeks of the Year
Holiday travel can be expensive. Many travelers want to know the difference between VOA member rates vs Expedia when searching for the best deals.
Between Christmas and New Year’s, demand for popular destinations can increase significantly. Hotels fill quickly, availability tightens, and travelers may find themselves paying some of the highest accommodation rates of the year.
But what happens when you compare a publicly available rate with a VOA Worldwide member rate for the same travel dates?
We looked at five properties in two popular destinations — Maui, Hawaii, and Manila, Philippines — for a seven-night stay from December 26, 2026 through January 2, 2027.
The results demonstrate an important principle behind VOA Worldwide Travel Portfolio Management™:
Before you book, compare.
Same destination. Same travel dates. Better member value may be available.
Expedia vs. VOA Member Rates: The Comparison
For this comparison, we reviewed publicly displayed Expedia pricing against available VOA member pricing for the December 26, 2026–January 2, 2027 travel period.
| Property | Expedia Rate | VOA Member Rate | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Residences at Kamaole Sands Resort | $9,311 | $7,248 | $2,063 |
| Signature Residences at Maui Banyan | $5,363 | $4,434 | $929 |
| Grand Hyatt Manila | $3,140 | $2,454 | $686 |
| The Peninsula Manila | $2,303 | $2,078 | $225 |
| Fairmont Makati | $2,355 | $1,831 | $524 |
Across these five examples, the VOA member rates were lower by approximately 10% to 22%.
However, the bigger story isn’t simply about finding a lower hotel rate.
It’s about knowing your options before you make the reservation.
Maui: VOA Member Rate Examples
The Residences at Kamaole Sands Resort
Maui during the holiday season is one of the most desirable travel periods of the year.
For December 26 through January 2, the public Expedia rate reviewed for The Residences at Kamaole Sands Resort was:
Expedia Rate: $9,311
The available VOA member rate:
VOA Member Rate: $7,248
Potential Member Savings: $2,063
That’s approximately 22% less based on the rates compared.
For a single seven-night vacation, that difference is significant.
Instead of automatically completing a reservation through the first public booking platform you visit, this is exactly why VOA encourages members to give our team an opportunity to compare available options.
Signature Residences at Maui Banyan
Our second Maui example provides another look at the potential value of member pricing.
Expedia Rate: $5,363
VOA Member Rate: $4,434
Potential Member Savings: $929
That’s approximately 17% less based on the rates reviewed.
And that’s the point.
A VOA membership isn’t simply about having another website where you can search for a hotel.
It’s about having another resource working for you.
Manila: VOA Member Rate Examples
The same comparison was conducted across three well-known properties in Manila, Philippines.
Once again, the results demonstrate why comparing available rates can matter.
Grand Hyatt Manila
Expedia Rate: $3,140
VOA Member Rate: $2,454
Potential Member Savings: $686
That’s approximately 22% less with the VOA member rate in this comparison.
The Peninsula Manila
Expedia Rate: $2,303
VOA Member Rate: $2,078
Potential Member Savings: $225
That’s approximately 10% less based on the rates reviewed.
While the percentage difference is smaller than some of the other examples, $225 is still money that can remain in your travel budget.
It could go toward dining, transportation, activities or simply the next journey.
Fairmont Makati
Expedia Rate: $2,355
VOA Member Rate: $1,831
Potential Member Savings: $524
That’s approximately 22% less based on this comparison.
Once again, one simple rate comparison can make a meaningful difference.
Does VOA Always Have a Lower Rate Than Expedia?
No — and that’s an important distinction.
Hotel and resort rates are dynamic. They can change based on availability, room category, cancellation policy, promotions, occupancy, loyalty status and the specific booking channel being used.
On one reservation, a VOA member rate may provide the greatest value.
On another, a hotel loyalty program, promotional offer, points redemption or another legitimate booking option may make more sense.
That’s why VOA Worldwide’s approach goes beyond simply saying:
“Book here.”
Instead, we believe in asking:
“What’s the best way for this member to book this particular trip?”
That is a fundamentally different approach to travel.
Before You Book Online, Let VOA Compare It
Found a hotel or resort you like on Expedia or another public travel website?
Before completing the reservation, send the details to your VOA Travel Portfolio Team.
Whenever possible, provide:
- Hotel or resort name
- Destination
- Check-in and check-out dates
- Number of travelers
- Room category
- Publicly available rate
- Cancellation terms
Our team can then compare eligible options available through your VOA membership.
Sometimes the difference may be modest.
Sometimes it could be hundreds of dollars.
And, as the Maui example above demonstrates, sometimes the potential difference can exceed $2,000 on a single stay.
More Than a Hotel Discount
This is where VOA Worldwide differs from a traditional online booking website.
A booking website primarily helps you complete a transaction.
VOA’s Travel Portfolio Management™ approach looks at the larger picture.
Your hotels.
Your resorts.
Your vacation ownership.
Your cruises.
Your airline miles.
Your hotel loyalty programs.
Your credit card rewards.
Your member benefits.
Your upcoming travel.
And the experiences you want to have along the way.
Rather than treating every reservation as an isolated transaction, the objective is to help members organize and optimize their broader travel portfolio.
Because the lowest displayed price isn’t always the same thing as the greatest overall value.
Your Membership Should Work Before, During and After You Travel
Finding member pricing is only one part of the VOA experience.
VOA Worldwide combines global travel access with Travel Portfolio Management™, concierge support, member privileges, rewards optimization and proactive assistance throughout the travel journey.
That means helping members think beyond:
“Where should I book?”
And toward:
“How do I get more value from everything I already have?”
That’s the philosophy behind Travel Portfolio Management™.
Put Your VOA Membership to Work
If you’re planning your next vacation, don’t assume the first rate you see online is your only option.
Compare before you book.
If you’re already a VOA member, log into your Member Dashboard or contact your Travel Portfolio Team and let us review your upcoming trip.
Send us what you’ve found.
Let us compare the options.
Then make an informed decision.
Because membership value isn’t measured by what you have access to.
It’s measured by how well you use it.
MORE THAN A RESERVATION.
YOUR TRAVEL. YOUR PORTFOLIO. YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
VOA WORLDWIDE
160 Countries. One World. One Membership.
LIVE BETTER.™
Rate comparison based on rates reviewed for December 26, 2026 through January 2, 2027. Rates, inventory, room categories, taxes, fees, payment requirements and cancellation policies are subject to availability and change. Comparisons should be made using equivalent accommodations and booking conditions whenever available. Examples are provided for informational purposes and do not guarantee that VOA member pricing will always be lower than publicly available rates.
