Expedia Group goes deeper into alternative rentals with acquisitions of Pillow and ApartmentJet

Expedia Group has acquired two software companies that serve the short-term rental market, a move it says will enhance its alternative accommodations marketplace for residents, owners and managers in urban areas.

Expedia Group says the two companies, Pillow and ApartmentJet, “solve different challenges faced by multifamily communities.” Both will operate as subsidiaries of HomeAway.

Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

With Pillow's software, apartment community owners can assist residents in listing their units as short-term rentals while remaining in compliance with their leases. ApartmentJet is a web-based platform to help multifamily owners and operators turn their vacant units into short-term rentals.

Both solutions enable owners to set limitations on short-term rentals in their buildings, such as limiting the number of total rental nights per year, and both collect data on guest information and reservation details.

“Demand for short-term rentals in U.S. urban destinations has been growing impressively over the past several years. In order to be able to deliver our customers what they are asking for while at the same time promoting responsible renting, Expedia Group is committed to delivering solutions that give urban building owners, managers and communities control and transparency over short-term rentals," says Mark Okerstrom, president and CEO of Expedia Group.

"Our acquisitions of Pillow and ApartmentJet are important and foundational investments in the Expedia Group platform. Through the acquisition of these innovative companies, we gain technologically advanced solutions that will help us give travelers new options for great places to stay in popular destinations while benefitting residents, owners, managers and local tourism."