Why is Expedia’s One Key program so controversial?

The slashed earnings on Hotels.com have a vocal set of travelers bitter with the new program

Expedia Group recently replaced its collection of disjointed brand-loyalty programs with a new combined program called One Key. Rather than separately earning and redeeming Expedia Rewards and Hotels.com Rewards credits, travelers can now earn OneKeyCash on eligible airfare, hotel, vacation rental, activity, package, car rental and cruise purchases made through Expedia.

Key takeaways

• One notable perk of the new program is that travelers will finally earn rewards for Vrbo vacation rentals. Considering how expensive rentals can be, earning rewards on these bookings adds up;
• In the new program, travelers earn “trip elements” toward elite status. Each hotel or rental night, flight ticket, car rental day, cruise cabin night and activity ticket will earn you one trip element;
• Bookings through Expedia One Key can partially offset earnings drop. Top-tier Platinum members earn up to six percent back on select stays, compared to 10 percent through Hotels.com Rewards.

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