Is Expedia’s One Key Rewards Program Worth It?
A Straightforward Guide
Expedia’s new One Key rewards program replaced the older Expedia Rewards and Hotels.com “stamps” in mid-2023. It now covers Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo under one umbrella. Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown of how it works, and whether it’s worth caring about.
What Is One Key?
- Free loyalty program by Expedia Group
- Earn 2% back in “OneKeyCash” on most bookings
- Elite status perks for frequent users
- Redeem rewards across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
OneKeyCash = real value: $10 in rewards = $10 off your trip. Works only on “Pay Now” bookings, not “Pay Later.”
How Do You Earn Rewards?
You earn:
- 2% back on hotels, rentals, cars, cruises, activities
- Only 0.2% back on flights
Earned on pre-tax subtotal. No rewards for taxes, fees, or portions paid with other discounts.
How Does Elite Status Work?
Earn status based on trip elements, not dollars.
- 1 hotel night = 1 element
- 1 flight (one-way) = 1 element
- 1 rental car day = 1 element
- 1 activity or cruise night = 1 element
Blue (Free)
- 10%+ off select hotels
- Flight price tracking (Expedia app)
Silver (5 elements/year)
- 15%+ off select hotels
- Priority support
- 50% bonus at VIP Access hotels
- Perks like food/beverage credits
Gold (15 elements/year)
- 20%+ off select hotels
- Room upgrades at VIP Access hotels (if available)
- 2x bonus at VIP Access hotels
- Price Drop Protection on flights (Expedia app)
Platinum (30 elements/year)
- 3x bonus at VIP Access hotels
- Dedicated VIP support
- One-time $100 hotel discount
What Are VIP Access Hotels?
Special Expedia/Hotels.com hotels offering:
- Higher service standards
- Free upgrades for elites
- Bonus OneKeyCash
Mostly mid-to-upscale hotels — best value if you book these often.
Is OneKeyCash Worth It?
| Booking Type | Rewards Value | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels / Rentals | 2%–6% back | ✅ Yes |
| Flights | 0.2% back | ❌ No |
| Car Rentals / Activities | 2%–6% back | ✅ Yes |
| Vrbo | 2% back | ✅ Decent |
Rewards don’t expire as long as you book or redeem once every 18 months.
Will You Still Earn Airline Miles or Hotel Points?
Flights: Yes, when booking flights via Expedia, you still earn airline miles and status points with your chosen frequent flyer program. It doesn’t matter whether you book directly through the airline or via Expedia. This makes Expedia flight + hotel packages even more appealing when discounted.
Hotels: No, you will not earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits if you book hotel stays through Expedia (or any other OTA). Most major chains (like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, etc.) also won’t honour elite benefits such as free upgrades or breakfast when booked via third parties.
What’s Not Great
- Flights earn almost nothing
- No points transfer to airlines/hotels
- “Pay Now” is required to use rewards
- No reward transfers to friends/family
- Status resets every Jan 1
Final Verdict
If you book travel through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo regularly and want a simple way to get a little value back, One Key is absolutely worth it.
It won’t replace airline or hotel loyalty programs, but it’s a solid backup, especially for casual travellers or deal hunters.
Tips to Maximize One Key
- Use the Expedia app for flight tracking and extra deals
- Book VIP Access hotels to unlock elite perks
- Stack with cashback sites like Rakuten
- Always choose “Pay Now” to earn and redeem rewards
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