One Key Card vs. One Key+ Card [Detailed Comparison]

The One Key program, introduced in July 2023, unifies the rewards earned from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. As a One Key member, you can redeem those rewards for flights, hotels, vacation homes, excursions, and everything else crucial to the holistic travel experience.

Of course, the best loyalty programs are only amplified by their credit card offerings. This summer, Wells Fargo and One Key teamed up to launch 2 co-branded cards: the One Key™ Card and the One Key+™ Card.

With these cards, OneKeyCash is now easier than ever to earn as the cards provide bonus categories that span travel and everyday purchases. But which travel credit card is the better choice for you? Today, we’ll examine the benefits and features of each One Key card in depth to help you make that decision.

One Key Card vs. One Key+ Card: Overview

The One Key card and the One Key+ card may look similar on paper, but there’s a rhyme and reason to deciding which one best fits your travel needs. Let’s take a side-by-side look at the main benefits of each credit card:

The Value of a Welcome Offer

Both the One Key card and One Key+ card offer valuable welcome bonus offers for eligible new applicants.

Once approved, you must meet minimum spending requirements within the specified period to earn the welcome offer’s OneKeyCash. Here’s a look at the current welcome offers:

NEW CARD

One Key™ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Unlock rewards at Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, with a no-annual-fee card.

One Key™ Card

Unlock rewards at Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, with a no-annual-fee card.

Welcome Offer

Earn $400 in OneKeyCash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

$400

Annual Fee

$0

Why We Like This Card

The One Key™ Card is one of the best $0-annual-fee travel credit cards. It’s a must-have for earning rewards across 3 core brands: Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, as well as popular spending categories, such as gas, groceries, and dining.

When it comes time to redeem rewards, travelers have their pick to redeem OneKeyCash for flights (must redeem for the full amount). hotels, vacation rentals, cruises, activities, car rentals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• 3% in OneKeyCash on groceries, gas, and dining
• 1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases

Cons

• OneKeyCash can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• Rewards cannot be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $400 in OneKeyCash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• 3% in OneKeyCash on groceries, gas, and dining
• 1.5% in OneKeyCash on other purchases
• Automatic Silver elite status with a pathway to Gold
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cell phone protection
• Travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption protection

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

NEW CARD

One Key+™ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Extra perks and OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.

One Key+™ Card

Extra perks and OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.

Welcome Offer

Earn $600 in OneKeyCash after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

$600

Annual Fee

$99

Why We Like This Card

The One Key+™ Card has a $99 annual fee but tangible benefits make up for the cost. Cardholders will receive $100 in OneKeyCash every anniversary and access to a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years.

With automatic Gold elite status (and a pathway to Platinum), cardholders can get some unique travel perks when booking through Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. The card offers bonus OneKeyCash for spending at any of those travel brands, as well as gas, groceries, and dining.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• 3% in OneKeyCash on groceries, gas, and dining
• 2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases

Cons

• OneKeyCash can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo and can’t transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs
• $99 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $600 in OneKeyCash after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo
• 3% in OneKeyCash on groceries, gas, and dining
• 2% in OneKeyCash on other purchases
• Automatic Gold elite status with a pathway to Platinum
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cell phone protection
• Travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption protection

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Earning Potential

A good travel credit card offers rewards on travel and everyday purchases, the latter of which allows you to earn while you’re saving up for your next redemption. Both the One Key card and the One Key+ card check those boxes.

OneKeyCash works similarly to cash-back rewards, though it can only be used at Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. With these 3 platforms, there’s an endless number of opportunities to redeem your OneKeyCash for travel experiences.

That said, the potential rewards you could earn might influence your choice between one card or another. Here are the main ways you earn with these One Key cards:

On paper, the rewards rates are nearly identical. But once you take a closer look, there are key differences to consider.

First, both cards come with automatic elite statuses. We’ll explain those more in-depth later on in the comparison guide, but we’ll first examine how these elite status levels can impact the amount of OneKeyCash you can earn on eligible bookings:

Those elite status member rates are in addition to any bonuses from your card’s default earning rate. For instance, a One Key+ card holder who is a Gold member earns 7% on VIP Access properties (4% from Gold status and 3% from the One Key+ card) and 5% on U.S. Vrbo properties (2% from Gold status and 3% from the One Key+ card).

Depending on your elite status level and how much you spend with Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, this could be a huge differentiator in determining the amount of rewards you earn every single year. Regardless, these are easily some of the best credit cards for Vrbo purchases.

Lastly, both cards are excellent earners for nonbonus purchases. After all, there are many expenses in life that don’t fit into 1 predetermined category. You earn 1.5% in OneKeyCash and 2% in OneKeyCash, respectively.

Bottom Line:

While the greater 0.5% earning rate on all other purchases isn’t huge, it can easily translate into hundreds of extra OneKeyCash earned every year.

Redemption Options

OneKeyCash doesn’t quite fit the mold of other credit card rewards programs. It can’t be transferred to airline and hotel programs, which is how many travelers get maximum value from their rewards every year.

However, we’d argue that OneKeyCash still serves an excellent purpose for many types of travelers. Someone who doesn’t want to belabor themselves in learning all of the ins and outs of loyalty programs or maximizing transfer partners may want to use a more straightforward rewards program. On the other hand, you can book some incredible experiences with OneKeyCash that you normally can’t with points and miles, such as cruises and vacation homes.

OneKeyCash can be redeemed for 1 cent each at checkout on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. While OneKeyCash can’t be transferred to other members, you can use OneKeyCash to book travel for others.

If you’re looking to book flights via Expedia, you need enough OneKeyCash to cover the entire cost of the ticket including taxes and fees. We recommend avoiding using your OneKeyCash for flights (points and miles are your best bet here anyway!) and using OneKeyCash for hotels, Vrbos, cruises, and excursions instead.

It’s important to know that OneKeyCash expires after 18 months without account activity. However, booking eligible travel via Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, as well as making OneKeyCash redemptions, all count as eligible account activity.

Hot Tip:

One Key elite status members also get cash discounts to over 10,000 hotels worldwide!

Travel Protection and Benefits

Wells Fargo is known for offering generous travel protections. Since both cards are co-branded credit cards, you get many of the same travel insurance benefits.

Travel Protections

The travel insurance policies and maximum limits are identical on both the One Key card and One Key+ card, ensuring you’re covered.

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Reserve and pay for your entire car rental with your card and decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW insurance to receive up to $50,000 in primary coverage for damage and theft. Terms apply, and primary coverage is available worldwide except in Israel, Jamaica, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance: Receive reimbursement for covered expenses if you need to cancel your trip or it’s disrupted for a covered reason by paying for the entire trip with the card. You can get up to $5,000 per covered person per trip, up to a maximum of $20,000 per account every 12-month period.
• Travel Accident Insurance: If you suffer from a covered loss, you can receive up to $1 million in coverage when you purchase your airline or other common carrier ticket with your card.

Travel Benefits

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Both travel credit cards waive foreign transaction fees when you’re traveling internationally.
• Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services: As a Mastercard member, you’ll get 24/7 access to the Mastercard concierge to help book travel arrangements.

One Key Card

• Automatic Silver Elite Status: Earn 50% more OneKeyCash and an extra perk on stays at VIP Access properties on Expedia and Hotels.com. You can be upgraded to Gold status for even more perks after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.

One Key+ Card

• $100 OneKeyCash Anniversary Credit: Cardholders earn $100 in OneKeyCash every 12 month period that the account is open. This amount is credited at the end of tge billing cycle of the anniversary date. The credit is valid for 12 months after it is issued.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: You can receive up to $100 for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application or renewal fee credit every 4 years. The statement credit is applied within 1 or 2 billing cycles.
• Automatic Gold Elite Status: Earn 2x OneKeyCash, an extra perk, and space-available room upgrades on stays at VIP Access properties on Expedia and Hotels.com, as well as access to price-drop protection on flights purchased through Expedia. You can be upgraded to Platinum status after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year for even more perks, including access to Platinum VIP Support.

Bottom Line:

While both cards offer the same travel insurance benefits, the One Key+ card has a leg up for its annual $100 OneKeyCash credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and automatic Gold elite status benefits. However, it’s incredibly rare for a $0-annual-fee option like the One Key card to offer primary auto rental car coverage.

Shopping Protection and Benefits

The main shopping benefit offered by the One Key card and the One Key+ card is cell phone protection. This can come in handy when you need to replace damaged or stolen phones, which can often cost a pretty penny!

Shopping Benefits

• Cell Phone Protection: Pay your monthly bill with the card, and if your phone is lost or stolen, you could receive up to $1,000 per claim. However, there is a limit of 2 claims and $2,000 per 12-month period.
• My Wells Fargo Deals: Login to your online card account and enroll in cash-back offers for dining, entertainment, travel, and more.

Hot Tip:

The One Key card and the One Key+ card do not offer purchase protection, extended warranty, or return protection. Check out our favorite Amex and Chase cards offering these everyday benefits.

Annual Fee and Authorized Users

The One Key card has a $0 annual fee, while the One Key+ card has a $99 annual fee. Adding authorized user cards doesn’t incur an additional fee for both cards, which could be a good strategy to earn more OneKeyCash to your account.

Final Thoughts

Both of the One Key cards can provide tremendous value for many types of travelers, so it can be hard to figure out which one is the best fit for you. Whether you’re planning your next family vacation or prefer to adventure solo, the Expedia Group of brands (Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo) has got you covered.

We find that the One Key+ card is better for travelers who want a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit for an expedited airport experience. Although it has a $99 annual fee, this is largely negated by the $100 annual OneKeyCash credit — just don’t forget to use it within the 12-month time frame.

However, we still value the One Key card, especially if you’re not willing to pay an annual fee. It waives foreign transaction fees and comes jam-packed with travel insurance and cell phone protection, making it a great choice for the budget-conscious individual.