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By Jessica Poitevien
Media Corp USA
Travel hacking is the practice of strategically using credit card points and hotel/airline loyalty programs to earn significant discounts and upgrades on travel. There are varying degrees of complexity when it comes to travel hacking, but now there’s a new loyalty program making it even easier for travelers to earn points on accommodations.
Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo recently launched One Key, a unified loyalty program that allows travelers to earn rewards for bookings made across all three websites. This first-of-its-kind program is free to join, and beyond earning rewards, members will also receive special discounts on over 100,000 hotels worldwide.
They designed the program to offer travelers rewards for practically every type of booking related to their trip. Whether it’s a flight or rental car reservation through Expedia, a vacation home for the whole family through Vrbo, or a hotel room through Hotels.com, travelers’ rewards are accumulated in a single format known as OneKeyCash.
No matter which website One Key members use to book their travel, OneKeyCash is available across all three websites. Unlike most loyalty programs, they display rewards in monetary value, so members don’t have to worry about calculations or point conversions.
Here’s how OneKeyCash is earned on eligible bookings:
• 2% on hotels, activities, packages, car rentals, and cruises booked via Expedia
• 2% on flights booked as part of a vacation package (0.2% for standalone flights)
• 2% on lodging booked with Hotels.com
• 2% on vacation rentals with Vrbo booked in the U.S.
With One Key, qualifying for elite status and unlocking further benefits is also very easy. You must book five “trip elements” for Silver status, 15 for Gold, and 30 to reach Platinum status.
A trip element is any aspect of a booking that costs $25 or more. Each night at a hotel or vacation rental counts as one trip element. Each day of a car rental also counts as a trip element, as does a flight, activities, guided tours, and activities. That means you can reach Gold status in one five-night trip for two people with hotels, a rental car, and at least two actions.
When staying at VIP Access properties, the extra benefits that come with One Key status include:
• Silver: Earn 50% more OneKeyCash; food & beverage credits when available during hotel stays
• Gold: Earn 100% more OneKeyCash; food & beverage credits when available during hotel stays; room upgrades when available
• Platinum: Earn 200% more OneKeyCash; food & beverage credits when available during hotel stays; room upgrades when available
For more information about One Key program and to become a member, Click Here
Media Corp USA
The Journal of Record
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.