One Key+ Card review: Valuable perks for Expedia loyalists
Editor's Note
One Key+ Card overview
The One Key+™ Card is a relatively new card from Expedia that comes with valuable earning rates and some unique benefits with Expedia's One Key travel rewards program. If you use Expedia and its affiliated services frequently, the card could be a good fit for your wallet. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
One Key is, in short, 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 first program of its kind.
The program has two cobranded credit cards: the One Key™ Card and the One Key+ Card. The One Key+ Card is the more premium of the two, offering perks that help offset its $99 annual fee.
We recommend a credit score of at least 670 for new applicants. Here's what else you need to know about this program and this card.
The information for the One Key+ Card and the 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 $350 in OneKeyCash™ after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
It's important to note that OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used with Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
This welcome offer is easy to earn and easy enough to cash in on if you use those platforms often.
Related: This month's best welcome offers
One Key+ Card benefits
The One Key+ Card comes with a few perks that more than make up for its annual fee.
Upon your cardholder anniversary, you'll receive $100 in OneKeyCash each year, plus a statement credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
If you don't already have either of those services and can make use of the $100 in OneKeyCash, you'll be able to cover its annual fee even before factoring in earning rates and a welcome offer.
Even if you already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can use your credit to pay for a friend or family member's application fee.
You'll also get automatic Gold status in the One Key rewards program, which includes 20% or more in savings on over 10,000 hotels worldwide. You'll reach Platinum after spending $30,000 or more per calendar year, which gives you savings of 30% or more.
Like most travel cards, the One Key+ also provides some travel protections, including no foreign transaction fees and cellular telephone protection.
That's a solid list of benefits for a card with a $99 annual fee, especially if you don't already have access to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. That credit alone can make it well worth it to pay this card's annual fee.
Earning rewards with the One Key+ Card
The One Key+ Card earns:
- 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo
- 3% in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and dining
- 2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases
Those are solid earning rates with some nice bonus categories, although it's again worth noting that you won't be able to do much with your rewards outside of Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo redemptions.
Related: Airline and hotel dining rewards programs: Which is best for you?
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 will make sense for you. Otherwise, you'll be better off with a different travel card.
Which cards compete with the One Key+ Card?
There are a number of cards that can compete effectively against the One Key+ Card.
- If you want no annual fee: The One Key Card doesn't have an annual fee but still comes with decent earning rates and benefits. To learn more, check out our full review of the One Key Card.
- If you want more Marriott Bonvoy benefits: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) comes with a $95 annual fee and gives you tons of Marriott Bonvoy perks and earning potential on your Marriott stays. You'll get a free reward night certificate worth up to 35,000 points each year you hold the card, making the annual fee worth it. To learn more, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
- If you stay at Hilton properties more often: The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and allows cardmembers to earn Hilton Honors points and enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Silver status. Terms apply for select benefits. 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 or Vrbo. But if you don't mind that aspect of the One Key+ Card, it's a solid card with enough benefits to offset its annual fee.
Bottom line
The One Key+ Card is a straightforward earner with Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo and also comes with a number of valuable perks and earning rates.
It's a card that will make sense for consumers who frequently use these platforms and want to take advantage of a few solid benefits along the way. However, those who prefer to book travel directly will do better with a different travel rewards credit card.
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.