Do One Key Points Expire? The Rules Explained
Navigate the longevity of your One Key travel rewards. Understand the official policies to ensure your loyalty points remain active for future use.
One Key is a unified loyalty program across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo platforms. Launched in July 2023 in the United States, it consolidates rewards, allowing travelers to earn and redeem benefits seamlessly. This article explains whether One Key points expire and outlines their expiration conditions.
Understanding One Key Points
OneKeyCash is the rewards currency within the One Key loyalty program. Members earn OneKeyCash by booking eligible travel services through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo. These services include hotels, vacation rentals, activities, travel packages, car rentals, and cruises, typically earning 2% OneKeyCash per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). Flights earn 0.2% per dollar.
Elite members may earn up to 6% on eligible bookings at VIP Access properties. OneKeyCash holds a direct value, with one dollar in OneKeyCash equivalent to a one-dollar discount on future travel. OneKeyCash for “Pay Now” bookings usually posts within three days of trip completion, while “Pay Later” and Vrbo bookings may take 45 to 90 days to be confirmed.
One Key Point Expiration Rules
OneKeyCash expires if there is no eligible earning or redemption activity on a member’s account for 18 months. Once expired due to inactivity, OneKeyCash is permanently forfeited and cannot be reinstated.
Promotional OneKeyCash earned through special offers may have different, often shorter, expiration periods than standard earnings. Members should review the specific terms and conditions for these promotions. Points converted from previous loyalty programs, such as Expedia Rewards or Hotels.com Rewards, retain their original expiration dates unless new, eligible activity occurs on the One Key account.
Preventing One Key Point Expiration
To prevent OneKeyCash from expiring, members must engage in at least one eligible earning or redemption activity within every 18-month period. This action resets the expiration clock for all accumulated OneKeyCash. Qualifying activities include making any eligible booking, such as:
A hotel stay
A vacation package
A cruise
A flight
A car rental
An activity
Even a small, eligible transaction, like booking a one-day car rental or a low-cost activity, can extend the validity of your OneKeyCash balance. Redeeming any amount of OneKeyCash for travel also counts as an eligible activity that resets the expiration period. Earning promotional OneKeyCash through usage of a One Key co-branded credit card can also help prevent expiration.
Monitoring Your One Key Point Account
Regularly monitoring your One Key account helps track your OneKeyCash balance and expiration status. Members can access account details by logging in through any participating brand website, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, or Vrbo. Once logged in, navigate to the “View rewards activity” section, usually found under the profile icon, to display your current OneKeyCash balance.
This section also provides a detailed history of earning and redemption activities, along with any applicable expiration periods. Members may receive periodic email updates from One Key regarding account activity and upcoming expirations. Enabling these email notifications serves as a helpful reminder to ensure points do not expire unexpectedly.