Expedia Launches Credit Cards to Expand Loyalty Program Benefits

Expedia Group announced on Friday (July 12) that it is launching two new co-branded credit cards to complement its One Key loyalty program.

The new cards, One Key Card and One Key+ Card, are the result of the online travel platform’s new multi-year agreements with Wells Fargo and Mastercard, the companies said in a press release on Friday. Applications for both cards will be accepted from U.S. customers this summer, according to the statement.

“As we celebrate one year of One Key launching in the U.S., we are excited to offer travelers the new One Key credit cards, further delivering on our mission to make travel more rewarding and flexible, and helping travelers achieve higher tiers for more rewards, faster,” Katrina Lane, senior vice president, traveler engagement and loyalty at Expedia Group, said in the release.

One Key Cards allow travelers to earn rewards in the form of OneKeyCash that can be used to book eligible hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, activities and flights across Expedia Group’s platforms Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, the release stated.

Additionally, One Key cardholders will be instantly upgraded to a higher tier in the One Key loyalty program, which will give them additional hotel discounts, priority travel assistance and perks during select hotel stays, the release stated.

Wells Fargo executive vice president and head of consumer credit cards and consumer credit marketing Krista Phillips said in the release: “The program is uniquely designed to offer immediate value to our customers through instant discounts, enhanced perks and accelerated rewards.”

The launch of these cards comes at a time when consumers continue to prioritize experiences, such as travel, over material goods, Ciro Ikat, co-president of Mastercard U.S., said in a press release.

“With the launch of both One Key Cards, we’re helping consumers make the most of their trips through enhanced loyalty benefits and choice,” Aikat said.

Expedia Group will introduce One Key in July 2023, saying the loyalty program will reward travel and hospitality companies across its portfolio and make it easier than ever for travelers to earn and redeem rewards.

The company announced at the time that its loyalty programs combined had more than 168 million members and generated more than $10 billion in travel savings.