One key card overview
One Key™ The card (see rates and fees) is a new non-annual offering that comes with respectable cash back rates and some unique benefits through Expedia’s OneKey travel rewards program. If you use Expedia and its associated services regularly, the card may make sense for you. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
One key is loyalty programs from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. It’s free to join and allows travelers to earn rewards for their purchases across three travel apps, the first rewards program of its kind.
The One Key Card is a patched version of the $99-annual One Key+™ Card (see rates and fees). However, given its earning rates, it may still suit some potential cardholders. It has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670.
Here’s what else you need to know.
The pros and cons of a single key card
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One key card welcome offer
With the OneKey card, you can earn $400 in OneKeyCash after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
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. However, this welcome offer offers decent value for those who use the platform regularly and is easy to find for most visitors.
Related: Best credit card acceptance offers
Benefits of one key card
The One Key Card is very short on benefits, but you’ll get the 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 if you spend $15,000 or more in a calendar year.
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Again, the One Key+ Card will win out in terms of benefits for most users, but this card can 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 the One Key Card, you’ll get 3% back in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining and 1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases.
Those are solid income amounts with some nice bonus categories, but it doesn’t help 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
Use rewards with One Key Card
Again, OneKeyCash is, in fact, not redeemable for cash, and can only be used at Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
If you often book travel on one of those sites, this card might make sense for you. However, if not, you’ll get great value from a different travel rewards credit card.
Related: 4 reasons to consider booking your next hotel stay through an online travel agency
What cards compete with One Key Card?
If you’re looking for more travel benefits or more flexible rewards, you may want to choose one of these cards instead.
For more options, check out our list of the best hotel credit cards.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Is One Key Card right for you?
Most travelers will want more flexible rewards than OneKeyCash, which can only be used through Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. But if you don’t mind that part of the One Key Card, it’s a solid annual fee-free offering that will rack up rewards with ease.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a card that earns rewards through Expedia, Hotels.com and even Vrbo and has a welcome offer that’s easy to get started, you’ve just found it.
It’s not the most important travel card out there, but the One Key Card will make sense for consumers who want to use those platforms without worrying about paying an annual fee.
Apply here: One key card
For Hilton Honors Amex rates and fees, click here.
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