The Hotels.com Rewards Program Will Soon Become Less Valuable

You'll continue to earn rewards when booking Hotels.com properties but will earn fewer rewards through the new rewards program.

Travel rewards programs can be valuable for travelers who love a great deal. But the Hotels.com rewards program is about to transition, and travelers should be aware of the changes. While some are positive, Hotels.com customers will find the new program to be less valuable. We've outlined what you need to know before booking your next hotel stay.

A closer look at the current Hotels.com rewards program

The current Hotels.com rewards program is value-packed. Members earn one stamp for every eligible night booked. After collecting 10 stamps, members earn one free reward night. The value of the reward night is the average of the cost of the previous 10 nights, not including taxes or fees.

Here's an example that illustrates how stamps are earned:

• Three-night stay in Amsterdam ($180 per night): $540
• Two-night stay in New York City ($155 per night): $310
• Five-night stay in Denver ($200 per night): $1,000
• Total spent: $1,850
• Value of free reward night earned: $185

In this scenario, you'd earn a free night valued at $185. You're responsible for paying the taxes and fees. If you're using the reward to book a stay that will cost more than $185 per night, you'll also be responsible for paying the difference in price. However, earning a 10% reward is a huge win. It's no wonder so many travelers loved this rewards program.

Hotels.com will transition to the One Key rewards program

Hotels.com has announced that the current rewards program will soon be no more. Beginning in mid-2023, Hotels.com will unveil a new rewards program called One Key. This program will be available to Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo customers.

One benefit to the change is your rewards can be redeemed in more ways. Members can use earned OneKeyCash to book eligible stays at Hotels.com, eligible vacation rentals on Vrbo, and eligible flights, hotels, rental cars, and more at Expedia. If you value flexibility, that's a big win.

But that's not the only change. Rewards will be worth less. You'll earn 2% in OneKeyCash for every $1 spent on eligible hotels, vacation rentals, activities, packages, car rentals, and cruises. You'll earn 0.2% in OneKeyCash for every $1 spent on eligible flights. For the stays mentioned earlier, you'd earn $37 in rewards compared to $185 through the current program. Yikes!

Members begin as Blue members and can earn status as they work up to different membership tiers the more they book. Silver, Gold, and Platinum members can earn a rewards bonus of 50%, 100%, or 200%, depending on membership level. That translates to a 3%, 4%, or 6% rewards rate. However, these bonuses are only available when booking select VIP properties.

There's some good news for those with outstanding Hotels.com rewards. When Hotels.com officially transitions to One Key, existing rewards balances will transfer. That means you won't lose your unused rewards during the switch. But do expect to earn fewer rewards soon.

What this news means for your wallet

This news is worth knowing if you've been using the Hotels.com rewards program to earn free hotel stays. The program will transition in the coming months, and you'll no longer earn rewards at a 10% value. Instead, you'll earn anywhere from 2% to 6% in rewards.

Not in love with the changes outlined above? If you're loyal to a particular hotel chain, it may be a better choice to join their free rewards program. As a member, you can secure the cheapest nightly rates, earn rewards, and take advantage of valuable membership perks.

Travelers can continue maximizing rewards earned by using rewards credit cards. A hotel credit card may be a good fit if you're loyal to a particular hotel chain. But using one of the best travel rewards credit cards may be wise if you want greater flexibility. You can use your rewards to book free hotel stays or flights in the future -- making an upcoming vacation more affordable.