Wells Fargo Launches One Key Credit Cards Tied to Expedia Group

Two new co-branded credit cards are being introduced by Wells Fargo for One Key, Expedia Group’s loyalty program. The One Key Card and One Key+ Card allow cardholders to earn rewards in the form of OneKeyCash, which can be used on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo for booking hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation rentals.

One Key was established in July 2023, consolidating three loyalty programs into one. For instance, rewards earned on a Hotels.com booking can later be redeemed for a vacation rental through Vrbo or a flight through Expedia.

Previously, Citibank issued two Expedia credit cards, which were closed to new applicants in 2022. Existing cardholders were transitioned to different Citi products. Similarly, applications for the Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card from Wells Fargo were paused in 2023. Current cardholders will receive a One Key Card in September 2024 and can continue using their existing card in the meantime.

Achieving the Silver and Gold tiers provides additional benefits when booking VIP Access properties through Hotels.com or Expedia. This complements the 3% rewards rate offered by either One Key card.

Both tiers include priority traveler support and discounted pricing on Hotels.com and Expedia. The Gold tier features room upgrades at VIP Access properties and price drop protection on eligible flights booked through the Expedia app, which refunds you for price decreases in the form of additional OneKeyCash.

The One Key cards represent a significant improvement over at least one of their predecessors — the previously confusing Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card. For individuals who frequently use Hotels.com, Vrbo, or Expedia to book travel, these new cards provide a straightforward way to enhance rewards earnings, particularly with the expedited path to status.

Moreover, the ability to earn points for purchases on one site and apply them to purchases on another site offers flexibility within the Expedia Group ecosystem.

However, the value of this flexibility varies from person to person. If you typically book travel directly with airlines or hotels, you may prefer to earn status (and points or miles) within those specific travel programs, which could be more beneficial. For those seeking additional perks like airport lounge access and the option to transfer points to travel partners, other travel credit cards may be a better fit.