If you book travel through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo, the One Key Mastercard is built to reward you for it. But "One Key" is actually two cards, and the details matter before you apply.
The One Key card lineup, launched by Expedia Group, Wells Fargo, and Mastercard, earns OneKeyCash you can spend across those three travel sites. This review covers the rewards, the welcome bonus, the real APR and fees, and who actually benefits, all current as of June 2026.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | One Key Card | One Key+ Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Wells Fargo | Wells Fargo |
| Network | Mastercard | Mastercard |
| Annual fee | $0 | $99 |
| Purchase APR | 18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% variable | 18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% variable |
| Travel rewards | 3% on Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo | 3% on Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo |
| Base rewards | 1.5% on other purchases | 2% on other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $300 OneKeyCash after $1,000 in 3 months | $350 OneKeyCash after $3,000 in 3 months |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 | $0 |
| Score needed | Good credit (roughly 700+) | Good credit (roughly 700+) |
| Reports to bureaus | All three (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) | All three |
How the Rewards Work
Both cards earn OneKeyCash, which is worth a flat 1 cent each, so $1 in OneKeyCash equals $1 toward eligible travel on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
The One Key card ($0 annual fee) earns 3% in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, 3% at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining, and 1.5% on everything else.
The One Key+ card ($99 annual fee) earns 3% on those same travel sites plus gas, groceries, and dining, but bumps the base rate to 2% on all other eligible purchases.
There is one important limit to understand. OneKeyCash does not transfer to airline or hotel loyalty programs. You can only redeem it for bookings on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, so the rewards are only as valuable as your willingness to book through those sites.
Welcome Bonus and APR
The welcome offers differ by card. As of June 2026, the One Key card offers $300 in OneKeyCash after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. The One Key+ card offers $350 in OneKeyCash after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
On APR, both cards carry an ongoing variable rate of 18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49%, depending on your creditworthiness. There is no introductory 0% APR offer on purchases or balance transfers.
That matters a lot. A travel rewards card stops being rewarding the moment you carry a balance at nearly 30% interest. To get value here, you really need to pay the full balance each month so interest does not erase your OneKeyCash.
Fees and Perks
Both cards skip foreign transaction fees, which is genuinely useful if you travel abroad and book or spend overseas.
The key fee difference is the annual fee: $0 for the One Key card and $99 for the One Key+ card.
The One Key+ card works to offset that fee with extra perks. It includes a $100 OneKeyCash anniversary credit each year, automatic elite-style hotel status with discounts and travel perks, and up to $120 in credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. If you book enough travel to use the $100 credit, the effective annual cost drops to near $0, but only if you actually use those benefits.
Who Should Get It (and Who Should Not)
The One Key cards make the most sense for people who already book travel through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo and have good credit, roughly 700 or higher. Loyal Expedia bookers can earn solid rewards, especially on the no-fee version.
It is a weaker fit if you prefer transferable points, book directly with airlines and hotels, or want a card you can use for general rewards. Because OneKeyCash is locked to three booking sites, flexibility is limited.
If your credit is not yet in the 700+ range, applying now likely means a denial and a hard inquiry. A smarter move is to build approval odds first, then come back when you qualify.
What to Do If You Are Not Approved Yet
If the One Key card application is denied, the most common stepping-stone is an easier-to-get unsecured card. The Aspire Mastercard prequalifies for up to a $1,000 limit with no security deposit, accepts applicants around 580+ FICO, reports to all three bureaus, and pays up to 3% cash back. The on-time history you build with it is exactly what helps you qualify for a travel card like One Key later.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Prefer to build credit without a credit check at all? The Perpay Credit Card is powered by your paycheck, with payments pulled straight from direct deposit. There is no security deposit and no credit score required to start, it earns 2% rewards, and members see an average score increase of around 30 points. It is a low-stress way to build the history a card like One Key wants to see.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
If you would rather build with your own savings, the Self Visa Credit Card is one of the simplest options. It is backed by your savings, reports to all three bureaus, and has high approval odds, which makes it a clean way to build the 12 months of clean history that travel cards typically expect.
What Users Commonly Report
Reviewers often praise the One Key cards for being simple to earn with if you already book through Expedia brands, and many mention the no foreign transaction fees as a real plus for international trips. The no-annual-fee version gets credit for being easy to justify keeping.
A common complaint is that OneKeyCash is locked to Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, which frustrates people who prefer booking direct or transferring points. Some users also feel the One Key+ perks only pay off for frequent travelers who actually use the annual credit and status. As always, individual experiences vary.
Final Verdict
The One Key Mastercard is a solid pick for committed Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo bookers with good credit who pay in full each month. The no-fee One Key card is the easy default, while the One Key+ card rewards heavier travelers who will use the $100 credit and perks.
If you rarely book through those sites or want flexible points, look elsewhere. And if you are not yet at a 700+ score, learning how to get good credit first and then applying is the smarter path. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the One Key card a Visa or Mastercard?
Both the One Key card and the One Key+ card run on the Mastercard network, not Visa. That means you can use them anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including internationally with no foreign transaction fee.
What credit score do I need for the One Key Mastercard?
Based on our research, applicants typically need good credit, roughly 700 or higher, to be approved. If your score is below that range, applying may result in a denial and a hard inquiry, so it is often better to build credit first.
How much is OneKeyCash worth?
OneKeyCash is worth a flat 1 cent each, so $1 in OneKeyCash equals $1 toward eligible bookings on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. It cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
Does the One Key Mastercard have an annual fee?
The standard One Key card has a $0 annual fee. The upgraded One Key+ card charges $99 per year but includes a $100 annual OneKeyCash credit and extra travel perks that can offset that cost for frequent travelers.
