YouTrip & Agoda launch hotel discounts for Australians

YouTrip has agreed a partnership with travel booking platform Agoda that links hotel discounts and sign-up incentives to use of the multi-currency travel card in Australia.

The companies said Australian customers who book eligible hotels on Agoda and pay with a YouTrip card can receive a 7% discount. New YouTrip customers who register with the code YTAGODA will also receive an AUD $10 sign-up bonus.

YouTrip entered the Australian market recently. The company positions its product as a digital wallet and multi-currency travel card. Agoda operates a global accommodation marketplace and also sells flights and activities.

Booking discounts

The offer applies to "qualifying hotel bookings" made on Agoda when customers pay using the YouTrip card. The companies did not provide figures for the expected take-up of the offer, the duration of the promotion, or how the discount will be funded.

YouTrip said the partnership sits alongside other card features aimed at overseas spending. The card uses what the company describes as real-time mid-market exchange rates and 0% foreign exchange fees.

The company also offers 2% cashback on international purchases for the first five months after sign-up. It set a cap of AUD $40 per month for cashback. YouTrip also promotes free ATM withdrawals worldwide, with a cap of AUD $1,500 in free overseas withdrawals per calendar month.

Customers can also exchange and lock in rates for 10 currencies inside the app. The list includes AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY, CHF, CAD, and NZD.

Travel payments

The companies framed the arrangement as a tie-up between booking and payments. YouTrip said customers can use its card for international purchases and ATM withdrawals. Agoda said it will use its marketing operation to reach travellers during the planning process.

YouTrip also set out a savings example. It said users can receive up to 4% extra savings compared with credit cards, other multi-currency cards, or money exchangers. It gave an illustration that on a typical AUD $1,000 spend, YouTrip users can receive AUD $40 more in Japanese Yen, which it put at ¥4,105.

The partnership arrives as Australian travellers face higher travel costs linked to accommodation prices and foreign exchange movements. It also lands as travel firms and payments providers compete for a larger share of spending across booking, foreign exchange, and card transactions.

"At YouTrip, we constantly look for innovative ways to add value to travellers' journeys and help stretch their budget further. Partnering with Agoda means travellers can access great accommodation deals, paired with YouTrip's mates rates and no-fee travel card - a powerful combination that delivers real savings in today's high-inflation environment," said Caecilia Chu, CEO and Co-Founder, YouTrip.

Agoda said it will use its data and advertising tools to promote YouTrip to users who show intent to travel. The company runs a media solutions unit that sells advertising and partnerships to travel brands.

"We're excited to be part of YouTrip's launch in Australia. By leveraging Agoda's audience insights, we connect high-intent travellers with YouTrip at the right moments in the travel planning journey. This collaboration showcases how strategic partnerships can deliver greater value and more seamless experiences for Australian travellers," said Prashant Kala, Director of Agoda Media Solutions, Agoda.

Market background

YouTrip said it processes over USD $15 billion in annual transaction volume. The company also said it has raised over USD $110 million, including a Series B round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.

In Australia, YouTrip operates under an Australian Financial Services Licence and said it is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Agoda is headquartered in Singapore and forms part of Booking Holdings. The company said it offers access to more than 6 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, along with flights and activities. It also said it employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets.

Agoda also operates a business-to-business division that works with travel suppliers and partners. It markets a partnerships operation called Rocket Travel by Agoda, which it said supports brands that want to offer travel booking and loyalty programmes under their own banners.

The YouTrip-Agoda offer puts a consumer discount at the centre of the tie-up. The companies said the promotion applies to both new and existing YouTrip users for hotel bookings on Agoda, with the sign-up incentive reserved for new customers who use the code.