Vrbo turbocharges OneKey devaluation – zero earnings for base level members

I didn’t think it would be possible, but Expedia group has managed to make its One Key “rewards” program even less appealing than before.

For the majority of its members, earnings will be either slashed in half, or axed altogether.

As things currently stand, provided you’re enrolled in the One Key program, you’ll earn 2% back in the form of OneKeyCash. That’s the case regardless of your status in One Key.

However, that’ll be changing as of May 22, 2025. From that date, those with Gold and Platinum status will continue to earn 2% back. However, Silver member earnings will be halved to a measly 1% rate, while entry-level Blue members will earn an extremely generous 0% rate.

The email announcing this change came from Hotels.com and it states that bookings on Hotels.com will remain the same. I’m assuming that relates to bookings of Vrbo properties on the Hotels.com website itself, so at least you’ll still be able to earn 2% that way even if you don’t have Platinum or Gold status. I’ve never compared rates for Vrbo properties between the listings on Vrbo itself versus Hotels.com, so I don’t know if there’s ever a price differential to take into account.

Still, this is a curious choice by Expedia group as I can’t imagine that Blue members were previously earning 2% OneKeyCash on Vrbo stays at such an astronomical level that the earning level was unsustainable. All it does is continue to give the impression that the One Key loyalty program gives very little incentive to be loyal. Perhaps they should rename the program from One Key to Wonky.

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