One Key World
Partnerships

Utilizing a new model in the destination club sector, One Key World combined elements of luxury vacation rentals, private jet cards, and five-star services into the creation of their club.

When Exclusive Resorts, the largest destination club in the world in terms of members and properties, began discussions with Marquis Jet about a partnership, Jay Sapovits, a Marquis Jet Vice President, took a closer look at the destination club model. After researching the model in greater detail, Sapovits believed that there was a segment of the market that had yet to be realized and focused his efforts on creating a new club structure.

The club that resulted would be One Key World. Rather than owning the properties that would be available to members, the young club would enter into short term leases to meet availability. To keep costs low, members didn't have to put up a large, refundable membership deposits, as was the model used throughout the destination club industry, but rather purchased a pre-paid travel card to access the club's properties.

Describing themselves as "the next generation destination club," One Key World would focus on the experience of club members rather than property appreciation. "We're not restricted to a pre-selected portfolio of homes and are focused solely on accommodating our membership," said Sapovits. "Because there are no long-term commitments, we know we have only one opportunity to deliver an unforgettable vacation experience."

With the club largely built out of a partnership between Exclusive Resorts and Marquis Jet, it is only right for One Key to have a substantial partnership network. One Key would enter into agreements with luxury residence providers so that members would have an established base of properties available to them.

Late in 2008, the hybrid club would announce that they had just made their 100th reservation, a trip scheduled in January to Palm Springs.

Unfortunately, in January of 2009, One Key annoucned that they would close their doors. "One Key has ceased its operations and is conducting an orderly wind down of its business. Like many other businesses and individuals, One Key was subject to a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis that has left few untouched."

Despite their departure from the sector, One Key World still left a mark on the model. During their time in the industry, several other destination clubs have adopted similar structures, such as The Emperum Club and Validus, A Destination Club.

If you are a former member of One Key World and would like to comment on your experiences with the club, please feel free to reach us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.