Expedia Group Expands One Key Loyalty Program to the UK

Expedia Group has officially launched its highly anticipated One Key loyalty program in the UK, marking its first expansion beyond the United States. Following the program’s successful debut in the U.S. last year, UK travelers now have access to this innovative, flexible scheme designed to reward customers across Expedia Group’s major brands: Expedia, Hotels.com, and for the first time in the UK, Vrbo, a vacation rental platform.

This launch represents a significant step forward for Expedia Group, unifying its brands under a single, user-friendly rewards system. By bringing together flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation homes, and activities into one comprehensive loyalty program, One Key aims to simplify travel rewards for frequent travelers.

Simple and Flexible Loyalty: How One Key Works

The One Key program is designed to make earning and using rewards easier and more transparent than traditional points-based systems. Instead of converting miles or points, travelers earn OneKeyCash, which can be used directly toward eligible bookings. According to Katrina Lane, Senior Vice President of Traveller Engagement and Loyalty at Expedia Group, this new system eliminates the complexity of calculating rewards:
“Every £1 of OneKeyCash is worth exactly £1 off your next trip, so there’s no need for complex conversion rates.”

To participate, UK-based travelers simply need to download the Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo apps and create an account. For those already members of Expedia or Hotels.com loyalty programs, their accounts will automatically transition to One Key, ensuring a seamless experience without losing accrued benefits.

Four Tiers of Membership: Earning More as You Travel More

The One Key loyalty scheme offers four membership tiers—Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—each with increasing benefits:

1. Blue Tier: Starting at entry-level, Blue members enjoy savings of 10% or more on select bookings.

2. Silver Tier: After booking five trip elements per year, Silver members unlock savings of up to 15%, enhanced earning rates of 3% OneKeyCash for stays at VIP Access hotels, and added perks like complimentary food and beverage offers.

3. Gold Tier: After 15 trip elements per year, Gold members gain access to 20% savings, a 4% earn rate, and extra perks such as room upgrades (subject to availability).

4. Platinum Tier: The highest tier, unlocked after booking 30 trip elements per year, offers members exclusive savings of over 20%, a 6% OneKeyCash earn rate for stays at VIP Access properties, and luxury perks such as room upgrades, exclusive discounts, and enhanced food and beverage extras.

Each tier is designed to offer escalating rewards based on the traveler’s activity, with more frequent bookings leading to more significant discounts and perks. Importantly, travelers can also earn frequent flyer miles alongside OneKeyCash for most airline bookings, allowing them to double-dip on rewards.

A Major Step Forward for Vrbo in the UK

Notably, Vrbo, Expedia’s vacation rental brand, is included in the loyalty program for the first time in the UK. This integration means that users can now earn and redeem OneKeyCash when booking holiday homes, expanding the range of options available to travelers looking for flexibility in accommodations.

Vrbo’s inclusion underscores Expedia Group’s commitment to creating a seamless loyalty ecosystem across its brands, allowing travelers to earn rewards on a variety of travel experiences, from luxury hotels to family-friendly holiday homes.

Growing Global Partnerships

In addition to the UK launch, Expedia Group has been expanding its strategic partnerships with other global loyalty schemes. Noteworthy collaborations include partnerships with Air Miles in Canada, the Netherlands, and the Middle East, as well as with Alaska Airlines. These collaborations enable travelers to earn and redeem miles while enjoying exclusive deals on accommodations through the Stays by Alaska Vacations platform.

Through these partnerships, Expedia Group has created a global travel rewards ecosystem, further enhancing the value of the One Key program by offering more opportunities to earn rewards across different travel elements.

Streamlined Travel Rewards for UK Travelers

For UK travelers, the introduction of One Key is a game-changer. With a minimum spend of £20 per booking, members can quickly accumulate OneKeyCash, benefiting from discounts on future bookings across a vast network of over 100,000 hotels, vacation rentals, and more.

The flexibility and simplicity of One Key make it a compelling alternative to traditional loyalty programs, offering rewards that are easier to earn, understand, and use. As UK travelers begin to experience the advantages of this program, One Key is set to become a popular choice for those looking to maximize value on every trip.

To learn more or sign up for the program, visit Expedia Group’s official website or download the Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo apps today.