One Key Rewards Is Changing: Tier-Based Earnings, Guarantees Gone, and No Flight Earnings

Updated: June 24, 2026, 10:30am CDT

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What’s Changing?
Final Thoughts

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Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo are overhauling how members earn OneKeyCash starting July 28, 2026. The changes introduce tier-based earning rates, eliminate rewards on flight bookings, and remove the Hotel Price Guarantee from both Expedia and Hotels.com.

If you use One Key regularly, here’s what’s actually changing and who it affects.

What’s Changing?

Let’s look at each change in turn. There are a few of them.

Earning Rates Are Now Tier-Based

Previously, all One Key members earned up to 2% in OneKeyCash on eligible nonflight bookings regardless of status. Under the new structure, your earning rate will depend on your tier:

Blue (0 to 4 trip elements): 1%
Silver (5 to 14 trip elements): 2%
Gold (15 to 29 trip elements): 2%
Platinum (30 or more trip elements): 3%

Blue members take the biggest hit, with a 50% cut in base earning rate. If you’re a casual Expedia or Hotels.com user without status, every dollar you spend on hotels and rentals now earns half of what it did before. Silver and Gold members come out roughly even. Platinum members actually see a modest improvement, going from 2% to 3%.

One Key July 28 2026 changes announcement — One Key’s announcement of the changes (highlighting is ours). Image Credit: One Key

VIP Access bonus earn rates are unchanged. Silver earns 3% total at VIP Access properties, Gold earns 4%, and Platinum earns 6%.

Flights Earnings Are Gone

The 0.2% earning rate on flights was already close to worthless. Now it’s gone entirely. After July 28, you won’t earn OneKeyCash on any flight bookings. The practical impact is minimal for most travelers; that 0.2% rate was rarely a reason to book through Expedia over booking directly with an airline or through a more rewarding portal. You can still enter your airline loyalty number at checkout to earn miles as usual.

For packages that include flights — like a flight-plus-hotel bundle — you’ll earn at your tier rate on the nonflight elements only.

Hotel Price Guarantee Is Gone

Both Expedia and Hotels.com are eliminating the Hotel Price Guarantee, which previously compensated members who found a lower price after booking. There’s no replacement for it.

What’s Coming Later in 2026?

Gold and Platinum members will gain One Key Flight Delay Access sometime later this year, including lounge access or other experiences when an eligible flight is delayed by 90 minutes or more. No specific launch date has been announced beyond “later this year.”

Your Existing Rewards Are Safe

OneKeyCash already in your account keeps its value and expiration clock. Any trips booked before July 28, 2026, will earn at the rate in effect when you booked.

Hot Tip:

For those invested in the One Key program, holding either of the 2 One Key credit cards can make sense, based on extra earnings and extra perks they provide.

Final Thoughts

These changes are a clear win for Platinum members, a wash for Silver and Gold, and a loss for everyone at Blue status. The loss of the Hotel Price Guarantee stings regardless of your membership tier. If you’re a Blue member using Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo primarily for independent hotels or vacation rentals, the reduced earning rate is worth weighing against alternatives. Many hotel loyalty programs still offer more value than 1% back for members who book directly.

The One Key program still makes the most sense for Vrbo bookings and for travelers without any brand loyalty, but the July 28 changes narrow its appeal at the entry level.