Expedia has launched a new VIP program for their frequent customers that is strangely like… their old VIP program.

The program is called ElitePlus and offers fee waivers on changes and cancellations made through Expedia as well as a special phone number for assistance.

Most of the world avoids Expedia change fees by making changes directly with an airline, for instance. But existing Expedia VIP’s (what they used to be called) got their fees waived. And a special phone number. That last part is a real perk, I’ve heard of 3-hour hold times when contacting Expedia but I’ve always had my calls answered right away.

Sure, there are other throw-in benefits of dubious quality, such as ‘special sales’ (more spam?). The announcement email, though not the website, notes that Expedia elite members will get access to a co-branded version of Mileage Manager.

It’s interesting to learn, in any case, the qualification threshold to become an elite Expedia customer — $10,000 in travel spend or 12 hotel nights in a year via the booking site.