A key card overview

This a key The card (see rates and fees) is a new no-annual-fee offering that comes with decent earning rates and some unique benefits with Expedia’s OneKey Travel Rewards program. If you use Expedia and its affiliate services frequently, a card may make sense for you. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card ratings are based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and are not influenced by the card issuer.

One Key is a loyalty program from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. It’s free to join and allows travelers to earn rewards for their purchases on all three travel apps, a first-of-its-kind rewards program.

The One Key card is a pared-down version of the $99-annual-fee One Key+ Card (see Rates and Fees). However, given its earning rates, it may still be worth it for some potential cardholders. It has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670.

Here’s what else you need to know.

Advantages and disadvantages of a key card

pros opposition
  • There is no annual fee
  • Solid earning rates
  • Most areas are characterized by One Key+ cards
  • Limited redemption options

One Key Card welcome offer

with One Key Card, you can earn $400 in OneKeyCash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

points cow

It is important to note that OneKeyCash is not, in fact, redeemable for cash, and can only be used with Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. Still, this welcome offer offers decent value to those who use the platform frequently and is relatively easy to earn for many travelers.

Related: Best Credit Card Welcome Offers

One Key Card Benefits

This The benefits of the One Key card are relatively few, but you’ll get an automatic silver tier in the One Key Rewards program, which includes savings of 15% or more at more than 10,000 hotels worldwide. You’ll unlock Gold status when you spend $15,000 or more per calendar year.

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Again, the One Key+ card will win out on the benefits front for most users, but this card may make sense if you want to avoid paying an annual fee.

Related: Ranking the Best Online Travel Agency Rewards Programs

Earn rewards with One Key Card

with One Key Card, you get 3% back in OneKeyCash at Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and dining, and 1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases.

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Those are solid earning rates with some nice bonus categories, but it’s worth nothing that you won’t be able to do much with your rewards outside of Expedia, Hotel.com, and Vrbo redemptions.

RELATED: These are our favorite travel credit cards

Redeeming Rewards with One Key Card

Once again, OneKeyCash is, in fact, not redeemable for cash, and can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.

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If you often book travel through one of those sites, this card might make sense for you. Otherwise, however, you’ll get more value separately Travel Rewards Credit Card.

Related: 4 Reasons to Book Your Next Hotel Stay Through an Online Travel Agency

Which cards compete with the One Key card?

If you want additional travel benefits or more flexible rewards, you can choose one of these cards instead.

For additional options, see our list The best hotel credit cards.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Is the One Key Card worth it?

Most travelers want more flexible rewards than OneKeyCash, which can only be redeemed with Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. But if you don’t mind that aspect of the One Key card, it’s a solid no-annual-fee offering that will reap rewards relatively easily.

The bottom line

If you’ve been wanting a card that earns rewards with Expedia, Hotels.com and or Vrbo and has an easy-to-earn welcome offer to boot, you’ve just found it.

It’s not the most valuable travel card out there, but the One Key card will make sense for customers who want to use that platform without worrying about paying an annual fee.


Apply here: A key card


For Hilton Honors Amex rates and fees, click here.

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