
For the savvy U.S. consumer who wants to earn travel rewards without the commitment of an annual fee, the Wells Fargo One Key Mastercard is a fantastic and straightforward choice. This card is designed to be your easy entry into the world of travel rewards, allowing you to earn valuable OneKeyCash on all your purchases. This currency is redeemable for bookings on three of the world’s largest travel platforms: Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
This card is perfect for the casual traveler or the budget-conscious planner who wants a simple, effective way to turn everyday spending into their next vacation. With a solid rewards rate, a great welcome bonus, and valuable benefits like cell phone protection, the Wells Fargo One Key Mastercard delivers exceptional value and proves you don’t need to pay an annual fee to get a great travel card.
Earning for Your Trip with Everyday Spending
- $0 Annual Fee: This is the card’s most attractive feature. You can access its entire rewards ecosystem and all its benefits without paying a yearly fee.
- Earn 2% in OneKeyCash™ on Travel Bookings: You will earn 2% back in OneKeyCash™ on all eligible flight, hotel, rental car, and vacation package bookings made through the One Key platforms of Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
- Earn a Solid 1.5% in OneKeyCash™ Everywhere Else: The card offers a strong and unlimited 1.5% back in OneKeyCash™ on all other purchases. From your monthly bills and groceries to gas and dining, every dollar you spend is consistently earning you travel rewards.
- A Generous Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can get a great start by earning $200 in OneKeyCash™ (equivalent to 20,000 in points) after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This bonus alone is enough to cover a significant travel expense.
- Automatic One Key Silver Status: As a cardholder, you are automatically given Silver elite status in the One Key loyalty program. The most practical benefit of this status is access to Member Prices, which can offer exclusive discounts on thousands of hotels worldwide.
- Valuable Cell Phone Protection: This is a premium benefit not often found on no-annual-fee cards. When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your One Key Mastercard, you get up to $600 of protection against covered damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Credit Close-Up®: Stay on top of your financial health with complimentary access to your FICO® Score and tools to help you understand and track your credit through your Wells Fargo online account.
- My Wells Fargo Deals: You can access personalized cash back deals from a variety of merchants. When you activate an offer and use your card, you earn the cash back as a statement credit, providing an extra layer of savings.
- Zero Liability Protection: You are protected against unauthorized transactions. As long as you report them promptly, you will not be held responsible for fraudulent charges.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
This card is designed for U.S. residents with an established credit history.
- Credit Score: A good to excellent credit score is recommended (typically a FICO score of 670 or higher).
- Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid physical U.S. address.
- Identification: A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required.
- Wells Fargo Application Rules: Be aware of Wells Fargo’s general credit card application rules, such as their “6-month rule,” which may impact your eligibility if you have recently opened another Wells Fargo credit card.
How to Apply

- Visit the Wells Fargo Website: Navigate to the official Wells Fargo One Key World Elite Mastercard page.
- Check for a Prequalified Offer (Recommended): Wells Fargo often offers a tool to see if you are pre-qualified for card offers with no impact on your credit score.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill in the required personal, financial, and contact information accurately.
- Review the Terms and Submit: Carefully read all the information, including the rewards program, benefits, and the APRs, before submitting your application.
- Await a Decision: You may receive an instant decision. If approved, you should receive your card within 5-7 business days.
Practical Vacation Planning FAQs
- What exactly is OneKeyCash™ and how do I use it?
OneKeyCash™ is the rewards currency you earn. It’s incredibly simple to use. One dollar in OneKeyCash™ is equal to one dollar off your booking. When you’re ready to book a flight, hotel, or vacation rental on Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo, you can apply your OneKeyCash™ balance directly at checkout to lower the price. There are no complicated conversion charts. - What is the main difference between this card and the premium One Key+ card?
The One Key Mastercard has a $0 annual fee. It earns 2% on One Key travel and 1.5% everywhere else, and comes with Silver status. The One Key+ Mastercard has a $99 annual fee. In exchange, it offers higher rewards (3% on One Key travel, groceries, gas, and dining; 2% everywhere else), a $100 anniversary bonus, a Trusted Traveler Program credit, and higher Gold status. The standard One Key card is better for those who want to avoid an annual fee, while the One Key+ card is better for high spenders who can take advantage of the extra benefits - Can I really book any flight or just specific ones?
You have access to the vast inventory of flights, hotels, and vacation rentals available on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. This gives you an enormous amount of flexibility and choice, unlike airline cards that lock you into one carrier. - How valuable is the Silver elite status?
The most valuable and practical benefit of Silver status is access to Member Prices on the One Key platforms. When you are logged into your account, you will see special discounted rates on thousands of hotels that are not available to the general public. These savings can be quite significant and add real value to a no-annual-fee card.