Excerpt from Business Traveler
A vocal set of travelers isn’t happy about the launch of the new rewards program
Expedia Group recently replaced its collection of disjointed brand-loyalty programs with a new combined program called One Key. Rather than separately earning and redeeming Expedia Rewards and Hotels.com Rewards credits, travelers can now earn OneKeyCash on eligible airfare, hotel, vacation rental, activity, package, car rental and cruise purchases made through Expedia.
One notable perk of the new program is that travelers will finally earn rewards for Vrbo vacation rentals. Considering how expensive rentals can be, earning rewards on these bookings adds up. Along with expanded earning potential, Expedia has made it easier to redeem rewards. Travelers can redeem accumulated OneKeyCash toward their next booking with no minimum required for hotel stays. However, you’ll need to accumulate enough rewards to fully cover a flight booking to use OneKeyCash.
A vocal set of travelers isn’t happy about the launch of One Key. That’s because it is replacing the cult-favorite Hotels.com Rewards, a formerly heavily advertised program that offered one free hotel night for every ten nights stayed.
The Hotels.com Rewards program offered a 10-percent return on hotel bookings. Under the One Key program, travelers only earn two percent in OneKeyCash for hotel stays. That’s a massive 80-percent reduction in rewards.
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