One Key Card review: Expedia rewards for no annual fee
Editor's Note
One Key Card overview
The One Key™ Card is a no-annual-fee card that comes with decent earnings rates and some unique benefits within the OneKey travel rewards program. If you use Expedia, Hotels.com or Vrbo frequently, the card could make sense for you. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is 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 across all three travel apps.
The One Key Card is a pared-down version of the $99-annual-fee One Key+™ Card. However, given its earnings rates, it could still be a fit for some potential cardholders.
It has no annual fee, and we recommend a credit score of at least 670 to increase your chances of approval. Here's what else you need to know.
The information for the One Key Card and One Key+ Card have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
One Key Card pros and cons
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One Key Card welcome offer
With the One Key Card, new cardholders can earn $250 in OneKeyCash™ after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
It's 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 provides decent value for those who use these platforms often, and it's easy to earn for many travelers.
Related: The best credit card welcome offers
One Key Card benefits
The One Key Card is relatively short on benefits, but you will get automatic Silver tier status in the One Key rewards program, which includes savings of 15% or more on over 10,000 hotels worldwide. You'll unlock Gold status after spending $15,000 or more per calendar year.
Unless you're a die-hard fan of OneKey's supported travel programs, you'd be better off putting $15,000 on a card that earns transferable points or miles.
For frequent travelers, the card offers a few travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, an auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.
The card also provides cellular telephone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the One Key Card. Cardholders get up to $1,000 in protection against damage or theft, subject to a $25 deductible (limit of two paid claims per 12-month period).
Just like most other travel credit cards, the One Key Card has no foreign transaction fees.
Again, the One Key+ Card will win out on the benefits front for most users, but this card can make sense if you want to avoid paying an annual fee.
Earning rewards with the One Key Card
With the One Key Card, you'll get:
- 3% back in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo
- 3% back in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining
- 1.5% back in OneKeyCash on other purchases
Those are solid earnings rates with some nice bonus categories, but remember that you won't be able to use your rewards outside of Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo redemptions. That means you'd be better off putting your expenses on a general travel card, unless you have a specific OneKeyCash redemption in mind.
Related: Best travel cards of 2025
Redeeming rewards with the One Key Card
Once again, OneKeyCash is not, in fact, redeemable for cash, and can only be used at Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
If you often book travel through one of those sites, this card can make sense for you. Otherwise, though, you'll get more value from a different travel rewards credit card.
Which cards compete with the One Key Card?
If you want additional travel perks or more flexible rewards, you may want to choose one of these cards instead.
- If you want more perks: The One Key+ Card comes with a $99 annual fee but has higher earnings rates and additional benefits that more than make up for the difference in annual fees. To learn more, check out our full review of the One Key+ card.
- If you want more Marriott Bonvoy benefits: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees) comes with perks like automatic Bonvoy Silver Elite status and five elite night credits per year, plus an earning rate of 3 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels — all for no annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold.
- If you stay at Hilton properties more often: The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and allows cardholders to earn Hilton Honors points and enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Silver status. To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex.
For additional options, see our list of the best hotel credit cards.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bold vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Is the One Key Card worth it?
Most travelers will 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 option that will rack up rewards relatively easily.
Bottom line
If you want a card that earns rewards with Expedia, Hotels.com and or Vrbo and has an easy-to-earn welcome offer to boot, you just found it.
It's not the most valuable travel card out there, but the One Key Card will make sense for consumers who want to make use of those platforms without having to worry about paying an annual fee.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.