Yes, if you like earning simple travel rewards and you’re happy staying inside the One Key ecosystem (Hotels.com + Expedia + Vrbo).
What makes it worth it now:
- One Key rewards lets you earn OneKeyCash on eligible bookings and redeem it later across participating brands.
- It’s particularly useful if you book lots of independent hotels where brand points/status aren’t a big factor anyway.
Where travelers get disappointed:
- If you’re loyal to Marriott/Hilton/Hyatt/etc., direct booking often wins for elite benefits, points, and easier issue resolution.
- Rewards only feel valuable if you’re booking frequently enough to redeem instead of letting value sit unused.
Decision checklist:
- If you book mostly chain hotels and care about status perks → book direct.
- If you book mixed/independent hotels and want a simple “cash-like” reward → Hotels.com/One Key can make sense.
Pro tip: Don’t compare “member price” vs “public price” unless you’ve matched refundability. A cheaper nonrefundable rate is not the same product.
Last Updated: 20th Feb, 2026.