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Hotels.com isn’t shy about layering discounts. Between the free One Key rewards program, rotating hotel deals, last-minute markdowns and two credit cards that earn cash back on everyday purchases, most travelers can find real savings on their next booking.
Here’s a look at all the best ways to save.
Save 10% or More With One Key Member Prices
One Key is Hotels.com’s rewards program, and joining unlocks Member Prices of 10% off or more on more than 350,000 hotels and select car rentals worldwide. It’s free to join, and once you’re logged in, the savings apply automatically at checkout. No promo code is needed.
Higher One Key tiers unlock even deeper discounts, which we’ll cover next.
Move Up One Key Tiers for Bigger Discounts and Perks
Booking more with Hotels.com moves you up through the One Key tiers, which unlock deeper Member Prices, higher OneKeyCash rewards (covered in the next section) and extra hotel perks. You earn one trip element for each hotel or vacation rental night, and one for each car rental day, as long as the booking costs $25 or more. Progress resets every January 1.
For example, two hotel nights and a three-day car rental adds up to five trip elements, enough to reach Silver in a single trip.
Here’s a look at what each tier unlocks.
Silver Tier (five trip elements)
- 15% or more off with Silver Member Prices at over 10,000 stays
- 3% back in OneKeyCash at VIP Access properties
- Perks like free breakfast at select VIP Access stays
- Priority traveler support
Gold Tier (15 trip elements)
- 20% or more off with Gold Member Prices at over 10,000 stays
- 4% back in OneKeyCash at VIP Access properties
- VIP Access perks and room upgrades when available
- Priority traveler support
Platinum Tier (30 trip elements)
- 20% or more off with Platinum Member Prices at over 10,000 stays
- 6% back in OneKeyCash at VIP Access properties
- VIP Access perks and room upgrades when available
- Platinum VIP support
OneKeyCash: Earn and Save on Future Bookings
OneKeyCash is Hotels.com’s rewards currency, and One Key members earn it automatically on eligible bookings. Here’s how earning, redeeming and banking it works.
How You Earn
Every eligible booking earns 2% back. Whoever makes the booking earns the OneKeyCash, regardless of who actually travels. That means booking hotels for family members, friends or work colleagues all counts toward your rewards balance.
Earnings post about three days after your trip for most Pay Now bookings, 45 days for Pay Later and up to 90 days for car rentals.
How You Redeem
Every $1 in OneKeyCash is worth $1 off future travel. You can spend it at checkout on eligible Pay Now bookings any day of the year, and there are no blackout dates or minimums. OneKeyCash generally combines with most Hotels.com promotions, though restrictions can apply.
It can’t be converted to cash or transferred, but you can spend it on a booking in someone else’s name. So if you’re gifting a trip or paying for a family stay, your OneKeyCash still applies.
Booking earnings stay valid as long as you book at least once every 18 months, while promotional OneKeyCash (like credit card welcome bonuses) has its own expiration set by the offer.
Bank Your Discounts With Save Your Way
At checkout on a Pay Now booking with a discount, Hotels.com gives you two choices.
- Save Now applies the discount to your current booking.
- Bank for Later charges you full price and adds the discount amount to your OneKeyCash balance instead.
For example, if a room has a $60 discount, you can pay $60 less today or pay full price now and get $60 in OneKeyCash for a future trip. Banked Save Your Way funds don’t expire as long as you make an eligible booking within three years.
Earn Up to 9% Back on Travel With the One Key Credit Cards
Hotels.com offers two credit cards through Wells Fargo that earn OneKeyCash on everyday purchases. Both cards have no foreign transaction fees and include travel protections like trip cancellation coverage, cell phone protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
One Key Card: Earn $250 in OneKeyCash (No Annual Fee)
The One Key Card has no annual fee and earns up to 9% in OneKeyCash on Hotels.com, 3% at gas stations, grocery stores and dining, and 1.5% on other purchases. Cardholders get automatic Silver status, which unlocks 15% or more off at over 10,000 hotels. Spending $15,000 in a calendar year unlocks Gold status.
New cardholders get $250 in OneKeyCash after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
One Key+ Card: Earn $350 in OneKeyCash ($99 Annual Fee)
The One Key+ Card carries a $99 annual fee but comes with richer perks. It earns up to 9% in OneKeyCash on Hotels.com, 3% at gas stations, grocery stores and dining, and 2% on other purchases. Cardholders get automatic Gold status, which unlocks 20% or more off at over 10,000 hotels. Spending $30,000 in a calendar year unlocks Platinum status. You’ll also get $100 in OneKeyCash on every cardholder anniversary, which effectively offsets the annual fee, plus a statement credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
New cardholders get $350 in OneKeyCash after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
Hotels.com Deals: Up to 40% Off Stays Worldwide
Hotels.com runs a rotating mix of hotel deals throughout the year, and discounts can reach 40% off select stays. Sales range from destination-based promotions to nightly budget picks and last-minute weekend breaks.
Discounted rates show the original price, the amount off and the total with taxes and fees, so you can see the real savings before booking. Signing in as a One Key member unlocks Member Prices on top of the listed deal, so the same hotel can cost even less when you’re logged in.
Just check the cancellation terms before booking. They vary by deal, so look for “free cancellation” if flexibility matters.
Last-Minute Bookings: Save 20% or More
Hotels.com offers 20% to 35% off on select last-minute stays for travel tonight, tomorrow or the coming weekend. Hotels often cut prices on unsold rooms as the check-in date approaches, so booking late can actually beat what you’d pay by booking ahead. One Key members can layer Member Prices on top too, as long as they’re signed in before booking.
Flexibility is the lever here. The deepest last-minute cuts tend to surface on midweek stays, off-season dates and destinations you’re flexible about. So if you have your heart set on a specific hotel, booking ahead is still the safer bet.
Get Exclusive Discounts With the Hotels.com App
The Hotels.com app unlocks discounts on select hotels that aren’t available anywhere else, as well as extra app-only offers for One Key members. It’s also a practical travel tool. You can compare hotels side by side, book last-minute on the go and access your itinerary offline once you’ve saved it.
How to Use a Hotels.com Coupon Code
Here’s how to apply a Hotels.com coupon code:
- Choose your hotel and room and continue to checkout.
- Find the “Use a coupon” option in the Price Details section.
- Enter your code and click “Apply,” or sign in to use a coupon already saved to your account.
- Confirm the discount shows in your total before booking.
If your Hotels.com coupon doesn’t apply, first make sure you’re signed in. Many Hotels.com coupons are member-only and tied to your account rather than typed in at checkout. If that’s not the issue, check the coupon’s fine print. Codes often exclude certain properties and non-refundable rates, and they can expire quickly.
Hotels.com Coupon FAQs
Can I use more than one coupon per booking?
No. You can only use one coupon on a single booking. However, other discounts can still stack. For example, One Key members can layer Member Prices on top of a coupon.
Can I use OneKeyCash and a coupon on the same booking?
Yes. As long as you have OneKeyCash in your account, you can apply it to a booking that already has a coupon attached to further reduce the price.
Do Member Prices work on every hotel?
No. Member Prices are only available at select hotels where Hotels.com has negotiated a special rate for members. Tens of thousands of properties qualify, so you’ll often find them when searching.
Can you get free nights with Hotels.com?
Not directly. Hotels.com no longer offers free-night rewards in the U.S., but you can effectively earn a “free night” through OneKeyCash by racking up 2% back on every eligible booking and applying that credit to a future stay.
What’s the difference between Pay Now and Pay Later?
Pay Now bookings charge you at the time of booking, while Pay Later bookings let you reserve now and pay at the hotel or closer to check-in. Both earn OneKeyCash, though Pay Now rewards post about three days after your trip and Pay Later can take 45 days.
Are there app-exclusive deals?
Yes. The Hotels.com app includes discounts and perks that aren’t available on the website, and One Key members can access additional app-exclusive offers.
When does Hotels.com have the biggest sales?
Hotels.com’s deepest discounts typically arrive around major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday, along with seasonal sales in early spring and summer. Subscribing to Hotels.com emails is the easiest way to catch flash promotions as they go live.
Can I cancel my Hotels.com booking for free?
It depends on the property and the type of rate you booked. Some bookings allow free cancellation, while others are non-refundable, so check the specific cancellation terms before you book.
Is Hotels.com cheaper than booking directly with a hotel?
It depends. Hotels.com often matches or beats direct hotel rates thanks to Member Prices, OneKeyCash rewards and stacked deals. That said, booking directly sometimes gets you added perks like free breakfast or free parking that aren’t available on third-party sites. Comparing both before you book is usually worth the extra minute.















