One Key World
Usage

Providing the same experience as their competitors in the destination club sector, One Key World used a vastly different operational model. Rather than owning the resort real estate available to members, the club would enter into short term leases to meet the travel needs of their members.

The majority of other destination clubs require a large, up front membership deposit from members, which is used for the purchase of properties. As One Key World did not plan to own any of the club's real estate, these costs were drastically reduced.

Members of the club purchased pre-paid travel cards in 15, 25, or 45 night increments. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jay Sapovits was a former Vice President of Marquis Jets. One of the leading jet card companies in the world, Sapovits took the fractional card idea and applied it to the destination club concept.

When a member joined, they would receive a card with their allotment of nights. As they traveled, nights were pulled from the club card. At any point they could replenish their card with additional nights of access.

While each of the club's three cards were identified by the number of nights provided, One Key World actually worked on a points based system towards the end of their time in the destination club industry. The amount of points required for a reservation were based on the property that a member selected and the season they wished to travel.

"Now the annual family winter trip to a highly coveted destination like Cabo San Lucas for a week may cost ten One Key Nights, while a four-night getaway to New York City for a couple during the fall may only cost three One Key Nights," said Sapovits.

Prior to this change, the membership did work on a one to one ration where each night of usage equated to one day being debited from the card. During peak holiday seasons, two nights were debited for every one night of usage.

Unlike other clubs who have a set number of nights that are used each year, One Key World members had no limit on the number of days that could be accessed annually. Members could travel as many days as they wished, subject to having nights still available on their club card.

A model built like One Key World benefits members who do not travel the same amount of time each year and do not like having large sums of money tied up with a club during their membership.

One Key World grew organically and saw some success, announcing their 100th reservation in December fo 2008. The trip was scheduled for January of 2009 to Palm Springs. Near the same time of the trip, the club announced that they would be closing.

"One Key has ceased its operations and is conducting an orderly wind down of its business," wrote the club. "Like many other businesses and individuals, One Key was subject to a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis that has left few untouched."

If you would like to learn more about One Key World, please access the club's quick links found to the right. If you are a former member and would like to comment on your experiences, please feel free to contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.