Difference between revisions of "Wyndham rewards"

From Travel Strategies
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Other Ways to Earn Points)
 
(73 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{Title|Wyndham}} (2019)}}
+
{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{Title|Wyndham}} (2021)}}
 
{{Page|program|Hotel Strategies|Hotel Program List}}
 
{{Page|program|Hotel Strategies|Hotel Program List}}
  
Line 25: Line 25:
 
*[[#Quick Guide|Quick Guide]]
 
*[[#Quick Guide|Quick Guide]]
 
*[[#Wyndham Brands|Wyndham Brands]]
 
*[[#Wyndham Brands|Wyndham Brands]]
−
*[[#Go Free: 15,000 Points for Every Hotel|Go Free Awards]]
+
*[[#Award Chart|Award Chart]]
−
*[[#Go Fast: 3,000 points for a Good Room Rate Discount|Go Fast Awards]]
+
*[[#Go Fast Awards|Go Fast Awards]]
 
*[[#Booking Vacation Houses and Condos|Booking Vacation Houses and Condos]]
 
*[[#Booking Vacation Houses and Condos|Booking Vacation Houses and Condos]]
 
*[[#Acquiring Points|Acquiring Points]]
 
*[[#Acquiring Points|Acquiring Points]]
 
*[[#Keeping your Points from Expiring|Points Expiration]]
 
*[[#Keeping your Points from Expiring|Points Expiration]]
 
*[[#Member Benefits|Member Benefits]]
 
*[[#Member Benefits|Member Benefits]]
−
*[[#Total Rewards Benefits|Total Rewards Benefits]]
+
*[[#Caesars Rewards Benefits|Caesars Rewards Benefits]]
 +
*[[#Shortcuts to Wyndham Elite Status|Shortcuts to Wyndham Elite Status]]
 
*[[#The Wyndham Credit Cards|Credit Cards]]
 
*[[#The Wyndham Credit Cards|Credit Cards]]
 
{{/TOC}}
 
{{/TOC}}
Line 39: Line 40:
  
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
<li>Wyndham is unique amongst hotel loyalty programs. There are no hotel categories—award nights at any of their hotels cost the same 15,000 points. Obviously, that makes redeeming awards at their nicest hotels a much better deal than redeeming at the bulk of their less expensive options.</li>  
+
<li>Wyndham had a brief experiment with eliminating award categories. For a couple of years, every hotel in the program required the same 15,000 points for a free night. They reintroduced hotel categories in early 2019, but still only have three different levels: 7,500, 15,000, and 30,000 points.</li>
  
−
<li>We assume you will concentrate your reward redemptions at their more expensive hotels, so we value Wyndham points at {{Value|Wyndham}} cents each. But, at the vast majority of their hotels, you would get much less than this value from your points. {{Link|Hotel Point Values}}</li>
+
<li>We value Wyndham points at {{Value|Wyndham}} cents each.</li>
  
−
<li>Wyndham’s cash and points option only requires 3,000 points plus a cash supplement. You are essentially paying 3,000 points for a variable, but often significant, discount to the regular room rate.</li>  
+
<li>Wyndham’s points and cash option can be the best way to book your room. You pay only 20% of the points cost for 30% off the room rate. When prices are high or low, you are better off with a straight points or straight cash redemption, but when prices are in the middle, "Go Fast" redemptions are the best option.</li>  
  
−
<li>The only problem is how to acquire your Wyndham points in the first place. You are unlikely to accrue very many points through paid stays at their hotels, it is usually not worthwhile to spend on their credit card, and purchasing points is limited to 10,000 points per year. The main options are their credit card signup bonus, and an annual opportunity to purchase larger quantities of points through the “Daily Getaway” program.</li>  
+
<li>Wyndham has a partnership with Caesars Rewards. You can earn and redeem Wyndham points at their casinos hotels and your Platinum or Diamond status in each program is automatically matched by the other. There are some valuable benefits associated with this program. </li>  
  
−
<li>Wyndham has a partnership with Total Rewards (the loyalty program of the Caesars and Harrah’s family of casinos). You can earn and redeem Wyndham points at their casinos hotels, and your Platinum or Diamond status in each program is automatically matched by the other. By linking your accounts, anyone who has the Wyndham credit card automatically has Total Rewards Platinum status, and can book a free trip to the Atlantis Resort (in the Bahamas) every year.</li>  
+
<li>You can use your Wyndham points to book a large set of vacation homes and condos, rather than hotels. At these locations, you’ll pay 15,000 points per bedroom. So, a 1-bedroom condo would be 15,000 points per night and a 4-bedroom house would require 60,000 points. And since you won't be charged the cleaning and other fees, you can save a substantial amount of money, especially on shorter rentals.</li>  
  
−
<li>You can use your Wyndham points to book a large set of vacation homes and condos, rather than hotels. At these locations, you’ll pay 15,000 points per bedroom. So, a 1-bedroom condo would be 15,000 points per night, and a 4-bedroom house would require 60,000 points.</li>
 
−
 
−
<li>Wyndham offers an unusual loyalty program benefit. When you book an award stay, you get a small discount on a limited set of tours and attractions in about two dozen different cities. However, if you reach their highest elite level (Diamond), you’ll get 2 free tickets for a tour or attraction, rather than the discount.</li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
Line 68: Line 66:
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsWingate.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsWingate.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsGarden.png|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsGarden.png|160|160}}  
−
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsAmericinn.jpg|160|160}}  
+
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsLaQuinta.png|160|160}}
−
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsRamada.jpg|160|160}}  
+
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsAmercInn.png|160|160}}  
 +
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsRamada.png|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsBaymont.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsBaymont.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsMicrotel.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsMicrotel.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsDays.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsDays.jpg|160|160}}  
−
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsSuper8.jpg|160|160}}  
+
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsSuper8.png|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsHJ.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsHJ.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsTravelodge.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsTravelodge.jpg|160|160}}  
−
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsKnights.jpg|160|160}}  
+
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsDazzler.png|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsHawthorn.jpg|160|160}}  
 
{{ImageGrid|WyndhamBrandsHawthorn.jpg|160|160}}  
 
</center>
 
</center>
  
−
=== Go Free: 15,000 Points for Every Hotel ===
+
=== Award Chart ===
 +
 
 +
Wyndham has a simple award chart.
  
−
<ul class="bulletlist">
+
{{Table|Basic}}
−
<li>'''Unlike every other hotel reward program, Wyndham requires the same number of points at every hotel'''. It costs 15,000 points whether you are staying at the TRYP Times Square South in Manhattan, a Wyndham all-inclusive in the Caribbean, or a roadside Super 8.</li>
+
!Cat
 +
!style="width: .75in;"|Free Night
 +
!style="width: .75in;"|35% off
 +
|-
 +
|1||7,500||1,500
 +
|-
 +
|2||15,000||3,000
 +
|-
 +
|3||30,000||6,000
 +
{{/Table|Basic}}
 +
 
 +
Only about 500 of their 9,000 hotels require 30,000 points, but the vast majority of their other hotels are very inexpensive members of chains like Day's Inn.
  
−
{{Image|GoFree.jpg}}
+
=== Go Fast Awards ===
  
−
<li>'''That makes booking award nights a bit of treasure hunt'''. Wyndham is dominated by lower priced hotels. Many of our readers wouldn’t naturally wind up staying in one, and when they do, the cash rates are usually low enough that it doesn’t make sense to spend 15,000 Wyndham points to make an award reservation. </li>
+
'''With "Go Fast" awards, you pay 20% of the required number of points to book the hotel room at 70% of the daily room rate'''.  
  
−
<li>'''However, they also have a few more expensive brands and locations, where an award redemption, at this price, can be a steal'''. When there is a good, higher-end Wyndham option available, it can be one of the better award bargains out there. Perhaps the best deals can be found at their all-inclusive properties, where the same 15,000 points gets not just a room, but also free meals, drinks, and activities.</li>
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
 +
<li>'''You are not really getting a full 30% discount'''. The required cash portion is calculated based on the regular non-discounted rate. Cheaper rates (such as "member rates" and AAA rates) are almost always available. As a result, using points will save you less than 30%. For example, if the regular room rate is $100, the cash portion of the Cash and Points award will be $70, but a discounted room rate might only be $90. In this case, the Go Fast award would only drop the rate an additional $20 (or 22%). </li>
  
−
<li>'''Some blogs have posted lists of particularly valuable hotels to book with reward points'''. Check out Travel is Free's [//travelisfree.com/2018/06/12/the-new-best-use-of-wyndham-rewards-points/ The New Best Use of Wyndham Reward Points].
+
<li>'''If room rates are high, you are better paying the full award cost to make a "Go Free" reservation'''. For example, if a category 2 room has a $150 room rate, you can either use 15,000 points or you can use 3,000 points plus $105. Spending the extra 12,000 points saves $105 and provides an incremental value of almost .9 cents per point (which is a good deal).</li>  
−
</ul>
 
  
−
=== Go Fast: 3,000 points for a Good Room Rate Discount ===
+
<li>'''If room rates are very low, you are better off with a cash reservation'''. For example, if the same Category 2 hotel only costs $70 per night, you'd only be receiving .47 cents per point if you spent the full 15,000 points to book the room. With a Go Fast awards, you'd need to use 3,000 points to get a 30% ($21) discount, getting around .4 cents per point. Neither of these is a good deal. </li>
  
−
'''The other option for using Wyndham points is to take advantage of their cash and points awards'''. You pay 3,000 points, plus a cash supplement, which is equal to 65% of the daily room rate. Essentially, it costs 3,000 points to get a 35% discount on the non-discounted hotel rate. However, cheaper rates, such as "member rates", are almost always available, so a Go Free award typically gives you a discount between 20-30%, rather than the official fixed discount of 35%.  
+
<li>'''When rates are in the middle, the cash and points reservation is the better option'''. At a value of {{Value|Wyndham}} cents per point, Cash and Points reservations make sense for room rates in the following ranges.</li>
  
−
At a value of {{Value|Wyndham}} cents per point, 3,000 Wyndham points are valued at {{Value|Wyndham|3000}}. '''If the room rate is over about $150, it is typically worthwhile to take advantage of the Go Fast award, rather than paying the full room rate'''. The actual difference between the rate you would pay and the 65% of the "Wyndham Daily Rate" needs to be more than {{Value|Wyndham|3000}}.
+
{{Table|Basic}}
 +
!Cat
 +
!Range
 +
|-
 +
|1||$40-70
 +
|-
 +
|2||$80-140
 +
|-
 +
|3||$160-275
 +
{{/Table|Basic}}
  
−
{{Image|GoFast.jpg}}
+
At room rates higher than this range, use the full amount of points (if you have them). At room rates lower than this range, don't use any of your points.  
  
−
'''At a value of {{Value|Wyndham}} cents per point, a Go Fast award is a better deal than a Go Free award for "Daily Room Rates"room rates up to about $220'''. At rates of up to $220 per night, it is worthwhile to pay 65% of the Daily Room rate to save 12,000 points. At prices over $220 per night, you are better off using the larger number of points. Note this rate reflects the official daily room rate, not the somewhat discounted cash rate that you have the option of booking.
+
<li>'''You need to adjust the bottom end of this range based on the true discount you are receiving'''. At a value of {{Value|Wyndham}} cents per point, the difference between the actual discounted rate you would need to pay for the room and the cash portion of the "Go Fast" rate needs to be at least {{Value|Wyndham|1500}}, {{Value|Wyndham|3000}}, or {{Value|Wyndham|6000}} for Category 1, 2, and 3 hotels.</li>
 +
 +
</ul>
  
 
=== Booking Vacation Houses and Condos ===
 
=== Booking Vacation Houses and Condos ===
  
−
Wyndham operates many different vacation clubs, and has also partnered with a number of other vacation home and condo rental companies. You can you your Wyndham points to book thousands of different vacation homes and condos. When you do, you pay by the bedroom.  
+
Wyndham operates many different vacation clubs and has also partnered with a number of other vacation home and condo rental companies, including many Vacasa rental properties.
 +
 
 +
'''You can you your Wyndham points to book thousands of different vacation homes and condos. When you do, you pay by the bedroom.'''
 +
 
 +
For example, a Go Free award for a 2-bedroom condo would be 30,000 points per night, a Go Fast award at 4-bedroom vacation house requires 12,000 points plus a cash payment, and a roomy 1-bedroom condo doesn’t cost any more points than a normal hotel room.  
  
−
For example, a Go Free award for a 2-bedroom condo would be 30,000 points per night, a Go Fast award at 4-bedroom vacation house requires 12,000 points plus a cash payment, and a roomy 1-bedroom condo doesn’t cost any more points than a normal hotel room.
+
And if you were thinking about booking a vacation house, using your points will save you the often-hefty cleaning and extra fees.  
  
 
{{Image|WyndhamRentals.jpg}}
 
{{Image|WyndhamRentals.jpg}}
 +
 +
Unfortunately, you'll need to call in to make these reservations, the normal representatives often can't help, and just because a unit looks like it should be available, doesn't mean you'll be able to book it. But it doesn't hurt to call in and try.
 +
 +
<center>{{Tile|vacasa}}</center>
  
 
=== Acquiring Points ===
 
=== Acquiring Points ===
  
 
==== Acquiring last minute points ====
 
==== Acquiring last minute points ====
−
If you see a great redemption deal at Wyndham hotels, there are several ways that you can acquire a few additional points. {{Link|Buying Hotel Points}}.
+
If you see a great redemption deal at Wyndham hotels, there are several ways that you can acquire a few additional points. 
  
 
{{List|label}}
 
{{List|label}}
 +
{{Label|Transferring Venture points}}
 +
You can transfer points from Capital One's Venture cards. You'll get 3,000 Wyndham points for every 4,000 Venture points you transfer. Normally, this isn't a high value way to use your Venture points, but it can easily be worthwhile for a high-value Wyndham reward redemption.
  
 
{{Label|Purchasing points}}
 
{{Label|Purchasing points}}
−
You can only purchase up to 10,000 points per year, in 1,000-point increments, for 1.3 cents per point. Unfortunately, this is less than you need for even one “Go Free” redemption. Sometimes promotions are available, which allow you purchase points for less money per point and enable you to purchase more points per year. {{Link|hotel point purchase promotions}}.
+
You can only purchase up to 45,000 points per year, in 1,000-point increments, for 1.3 cents per point. Sometimes promotions are available, which allow you purchase points for less money per point and enable you to purchase more points per year. {{Link|Buying Hotel Points}}.
  
 
{{Label|Daily Getaway promotion}}
 
{{Label|Daily Getaway promotion}}
−
Every Spring, the US Travel Association runs a promotion called “Daily Getaways”. Each day, they offer a specific travel “offer” for sale, in limited numbers. In previous years, they offered packages of 15,000 Wyndham points for about $150. While this is only a little cheaper than the normal purchase rate of 1.1 cents per point, it bypasses the normal limit of only 10,000 points per year. Each buyer could purchase two packages, for a total of 30,000 points.  We expect these to be available next year as well, and are the only way to purchase more significant quantities of Wyndham points.
+
Every Spring, the US Travel Association runs a promotion called “Daily Getaways”. Each day, they offer limited numbers of a specific travel “offer” for sale. In previous years, they offered packages of 15,000 Wyndham points for about $150. While this is only a little cheaper than the normal purchase rate of 1.3 cents per point, it bypasses the normal limit of only 45,000 points per year. Each buyer could purchase two packages for a total of 30,000 points.   
  
 
{{/List|label}}
 
{{/List|label}}
Line 129: Line 162:
 
==== Earning Points from Your Stays ====
 
==== Earning Points from Your Stays ====
  
−
'''You can earn 10 points for every dollar spent at Wyndham'''. The minimum reward is 1,000 points per stay, so you earn at a slightly higher rate at less expensive hotels.  
+
'''Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent at Wyndham'''. The minimum reward is 1,000 points per stay, so you earn at a slightly higher rate at less expensive hotels. Note that any elite status bonus points are factored in first. If that takes you over the 1,000 point minimum, you don't receive additional points. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members earn bonuses of 10%, 15%, or 20% on stays.
  
−
'''You’ll earn an additional 3 points per dollar, if you use your Wyndham credit card'''. 3x Wyndham points are worth about 3.6 cents per dollar. This is a better return than you’ll get from a general-purpose reward card, but not as good as you can get from a card that earns a good bonus reward rate on travel spending. {{Link|Travel Spending}}.
+
'''If you use the Wyndham credit card, you'll earn an additional 5-8 points per dollar'''. The business version earns 8 points per dollar and the regular version earns 6 points. Even the 5 points per dollar from the no annual fee card is probably more valuable than what you can earn from another credit card (assuming you're likely to have good opportunities to redeem your Wyndham points in the future). {{Link|Travel Spending}}.
  
 
==== Other Ways to Earn Points ====
 
==== Other Ways to Earn Points ====
  
−
'''The best way to quickly earn a bunch of points is by signing up for the Wyndham credit card'''. The annual-fee-based card has a normal signup bonus of 30,000 points ($1,000 initial spending requirement)’ and the no-annual-fee card has a normal signup bonus of 15,000 points (on first purchase). The cards are issued by Barclays, and you should be able to periodically cancel and re-apply to earn the signup bonus again.  {{Link|Credit Cards 101}}.
+
'''The best way to quickly earn a bunch of points is by signing up for the Wyndham credit card'''. The annual-fee-based and the business card has a normal signup bonus of 45,000 points ($1,000 initial spending requirement) and the no-annual-fee card has a normal signup bonus of 30,000 points. The cards are issued by Barclays, and you should be able to periodically cancel and re-apply to earn the signup bonus again.  {{Link|Signup Intro}}.
  
 
A couple other options are available and can be viewed [//www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/earn.action?variant= here].
 
A couple other options are available and can be viewed [//www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/earn.action?variant= here].
Line 141: Line 174:
 
=== Keeping your Points from Expiring ===
 
=== Keeping your Points from Expiring ===
  
−
'''You will lose your points four years after you’ve earned them'''. This happens, even if you are actively earning points. You need to make sure to use them.
+
'''You will lose your points four years after you’ve earned them'''. This happens, even if you are actively earning points. You need to make sure to use them. You can also lose your points if you go 18 months without qualifying activity.
 +
 
 +
Because you can freely transfer points between the Wyndham and Caesars programs, you can keep your account active by transferring points to Caesars (and then back again if you want to).
  
 
=== <span id="Benefits">Member Benefits</span> ===
 
=== <span id="Benefits">Member Benefits</span> ===
  
−
The Wyndham credit card gives you automatic Platinum status, and the no-annual-fee version gives you automatic Gold status. {{Link|elite hotel status}}.
+
Extra elite nights rollover to the following year.
  
−
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
 
 
{| class="table"
 
{| class="table"
 
|<big>'''Blue'''</big> (entry level)  
 
|<big>'''Blue'''</big> (entry level)  
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
 
*'''Discounted “member” rates'''.
 
*'''Discounted “member” rates'''.
 
*'''Free Wi-Fi'''.
 
*'''Free Wi-Fi'''.
−
*'''$5 activity discount with award nights'''. When you book a regular or cash and points award, in a couple of dozen cities, you’ll get a $5 discount off a choice of a few different tours or attractions.  This is called Go Free Plus or Go Fast Plus. [https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/goFreeGoFast.action#cities Activity List].
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
|-
 
|-
−
|<big>'''Gold'''</big> (5 nights)<br/>Adds the following benefits:
+
|<big>'''Gold'''</big> (5 nights)<br/>10% bonus points plus the following benefits:
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
−
*'''Preferred room'''.
+
*'''Preferred room''' within the same room category.  
−
*'''Late checkout'''.  
+
*'''Late checkout''', upon availability.  
 
*'''Extra $5 activity discount with Go Free awards'''. You’ll still only get $5 on Go Fast awards.  
 
*'''Extra $5 activity discount with Go Free awards'''. You’ll still only get $5 on Go Fast awards.  
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
|-
 
|-
−
|<big>'''Platinum'''</big> (15 nights) <br/>Adds the following benefits:
+
|<big>'''Platinum'''</big> (15 nights) <br/>15% bonus points plus the following benefits:
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
−
*'''Early check-in'''.  
+
*'''Early check-in''', upon availability.
 
*'''3,000-point annual bonus'''.   
 
*'''3,000-point annual bonus'''.   
 
*'''Avis and Budget car rental upgrade'''.  
 
*'''Avis and Budget car rental upgrade'''.  
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
|-
 
|-
−
|<big>'''Diamond'''</big> (40 nights)<br/>Adds the following benefits:
+
|<big>'''Diamond'''</big> (40 nights)<br/>20% bonus points plus the following benefits:
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
−
*'''2 Free passes to a local experience with Go Free awards'''. This replaces the $10 discount. It only works with a limited set of tours and attractions in a limited set of cities, but it is a pretty valuable benefit. You’ll also get a $10 discount, instead of a $5 discount, on Go Free awards.
+
*'''Upgrade to a suite on every stay'''. Subject to availability on both paid and award stays.  
−
*'''Upgrade to a suite on every stay'''. Subject to availability, on both paid and award stays.  
 
 
*'''Free snack or beverage'''.   
 
*'''Free snack or beverage'''.   
 
*'''Give gold status to a friend or family member'''.  
 
*'''Give gold status to a friend or family member'''.  
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
|}
 
|}
−
</div>
 
  
−
=== Total Rewards Benefits ===
+
=== Caesars Rewards Benefits ===
  
−
Wyndham has a partnership with “Total Rewards”, the loyalty program of the Caesars and Harrah’s family of casinos. Platinum and Diamond status in either program is matched at the other. Cardholders of the Wyndham credit card wind up with Platinum status with Total Rewards.  
+
Wyndham has a partnership with the loyalty program of the Caesars and Harrah’s family of casinos. Platinum and Diamond status in either program is matched at the other.  
  
 
{{ImageX|AtlantisResort.jpg}}
 
{{ImageX|AtlantisResort.jpg}}
  
−
You can also get Total Rewards Diamond status via the Founders Card program. If you do, you’ll get Wyndham Diamond status for free, and access to automatic suite upgrades and the free attraction benefit.
+
You can also get Total Rewards Diamond status via the Founders Card program. If you do, you’ll get Wyndham Diamond status for free and access to its potential suite upgrades.
  
−
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
 
 
{| class="table"
 
{| class="table"
 
|<big>'''Platinum'''</big><br/>Includes the following benefits:
 
|<big>'''Platinum'''</big><br/>Includes the following benefits:
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
−
*'''Complimentary stay at Atlantis'''. Every year, you can book a free 3-night stay at the Beach Towers in Atlantis (except over Christmas break).  During off-peak travel times, you’ll receive an “Atlantis Casino Experience Pass” that includes several valuable activities and food items, the exact list of which is subject to change.  Examples include a free round of golf (for 1), free shallow water dolphin encounter (for 1), and a Sake and Sushi Sampler at the Nobu restaurant.  You can add additional nights at a special rate.  
+
*'''Complimentary stay at Atlantis'''. Every year, you can book a free 2-night stay at the Royal or Coral Towers in Atlantis (except over Christmas break). For each night, you'll still be responsible a $50+ resort fee plus a $5 per person gratuity. You can add also add additional nights at a reduced rate. During off-peak travel times, you’ll can get an additional free night plus $25 in free slot play. 
 
*'''Complimentary parking at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos'''.
 
*'''Complimentary parking at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos'''.
 
*'''15% discount at casino gift shops'''.  
 
*'''15% discount at casino gift shops'''.  
Line 198: Line 228:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|<big>'''Diamond'''</big><br/>Adds the following benefits:
 
|<big>'''Diamond'''</big><br/>Adds the following benefits:
−
<ul class="simplelist tight">
+
<ul class="simplelist">
 
*'''$100 credit for dinner at casino restaurants'''. This is once per year, and can be used at most of the Total Reward casino restaurants.  
 
*'''$100 credit for dinner at casino restaurants'''. This is once per year, and can be used at most of the Total Reward casino restaurants.  
 +
*'''2 free Vegas show tickets every calendar month'''. There is availability for many, but not all, of the Caesars family casino shows in Vegas. You must pick up a voucher in person for a still available show within the next three days.
 
*'''No resort fees at casino hotels'''.
 
*'''No resort fees at casino hotels'''.
−
*'''An additional nights at Atlantis'''. When you book your free Atlantis stay, you can stay for up to four nights, instead of three. You’ll also get $100 of free slot play.  
+
*'''Additional nights at Atlantis'''. When you book your free Atlantis stay, you can stay for up to four nights instead of two and will receive $75 of free slot play During off-peak months, you get an additional $25 of slot play.  
 
*'''15% off the best available room rate'''. Also discounts at Total Rewards golf courses.  
 
*'''15% off the best available room rate'''. Also discounts at Total Rewards golf courses.  
 
*'''20% discount at casino gift shops'''.  Instead of 15%.
 
*'''20% discount at casino gift shops'''.  Instead of 15%.
 
*'''72-hour room availability guarantee'''.  
 
*'''72-hour room availability guarantee'''.  
−
*'''2 free nights at Caesars Resort Dubai'''.  
+
*'''Paid access to Laurel Lounges'''.
 +
*'''2 free nights at Caesars Resort Dubai'''. This is officially only available to people who "earned" status with Caesars, so you may not get this benefit if you matched from Wyndham.  
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
|}
 
|}
−
</div>
+
 
 +
=== Shortcuts to Wyndham Elite Status ===
 +
 
 +
'''Each of the Wyndham credit cards gives you some level of elite status'''. The no-annual-fee card gives you Gold status, the Earner+ gives you Platinum status, and the business card gives you Diamond status.
 +
 
 +
'''Historically, Wyndham has typically matched your status from other hotel programs'''. They even have a dedicated [[//www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-rewards/status-match status matching webpage].  Unfortunately, that program was put on hold during the pandemic and they haven't brought it back yet.
 +
 
 +
'''Once you get status once, you can keep it going indefinitely'''. Caesar's status lasts until the end of January each year. During January every year, you can match your Caesar's status to Wyndham to restore your Wyndham status (if necessary). Then during February, after your Caesar's status resets, you can restore it by matching your Wyndham status back.
  
 
=== The Wyndham Credit Cards ===
 
=== The Wyndham Credit Cards ===
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
{{Card|wyndham|guide|3in}}
+
{{Card|wyndhambiz|guide|3in}}
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
'''The Wyndham credit card has a normal signup bonus of 30,000 points''' ($1,000 initial spending requirement). It gives you automatic Wyndham Platinum elite status, as well as matching status at Total Rewards. You get 9,000 free Wyndham points every year, 6,000 from the credit card anniversary bonus, and 3,000 from the Platinum elite status yearly bonus. $75 annual fee.  
+
<ul class="bulletlist">
 +
<li>'''If you are willing and able to get business credit cards and you are interested in the valuable benefits that come with Wyndham and Total Rewards Diamond status, you might want to get the Wyndham Business Card'''. It provides automatic Diamond status in both programs and its annual 15,000 point bonus more than offsets the $95 annual fee (assuming you occasionally have the opportunity to spend Wyndham points). </li>
  
−
There is a no-annual-fee version that has a normal signup bonus of 15,000 points (after first purchase), gives you Gold status, and doesn’t provide bonus points every year.  
+
Since Wyndham often makes it very easy to get a status match, you don't necessarily need the card for easy Diamond status. But the status benefits of the card are locked-in regardless of Wyndham's current status matching situation.
  
−
'''The Wyndham card earns higher rewards for spending at Wyndham than almost any other card''' 5x Wyndham points are worth about 6 cents. Only the Chase Sapphire card’s 3x Ultimate Reward points is comparable. The no-annual-fee card earns 3x Wyndham points, which is better than most general-purpose reward cards, but not as good as many of the cards that earn the best bonus rewards on travel purchases. {{Link|Travel Spending}}.
+
<li>'''The Earner+ and Business cards have a typical signup bonus of 45,000 points'''. The Earner card provides an additional 7,500 points each year when you renew ($75). The Business card provides an additional 15,000 points. The typical signup bonus for the no-annual-fee card is 30,000 points.</li>
  
−
'''You can earn higher rewards by using either Wyndham card on gas, utility, and grocery store purchases, than you can with most general-purpose reward cards'''. 2x Wyndham points are worth around 2.4 cents per dollar. But, the reward rates are lower than a typical card that earns bonus rewards on these categories. {{Link|Grocery Spending}}. {{Link|Gas Spending}}. 
+
<li>'''All the cards give you a an additional discount on your reservations'''. Award Stays cost 10% fewer points and you'll save an additional 2% on member rates (either 12% or 7% off, instead of 10% or 5%). If you are not interested in holding onto the Earner+ card for its platinum status, you might want to downgrade it to the no-annual-fee card to retain these discounts.</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''When staying at Wyndham, you are likely to get slightly better rewards by using the Wyndham card'''. The business card's 8x Wyndham points are worth about {{Value|Wyndham|8}} cents per dollar and the Earner+ card's 6x points are worth about {{Value|Wyndham|6}}. {{Link|Travel Spending}}.</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''The cards also have nice reward rates for gas and utilities'''.</li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
{{/Main|program}}
 
{{/Main|program}}
 
{{NextPages}}
 
{{NextPages}}
−
{{Next|elite status cards}}
+
{{Next|join hotel programs}}
−
{{Next|hotel promotions}}
+
{{Next|elite hotel status}}
 
{{Next|award nights 101}}
 
{{Next|award nights 101}}
 
{{/NextPages}}
 
{{/NextPages}}
 
{{/Page|program}}
 
{{/Page|program}}

Latest revision as of 14:41, 13 June 2021

  Hotel Strategies, Hotel Loyalty Program Reference Guide

Official Site

Join

866-WYN-RWDS

866-996-7937

WyndhamBonnetCreek.jpg
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando


Jump to


Quick Guide

  • Wyndham had a brief experiment with eliminating award categories. For a couple of years, every hotel in the program required the same 15,000 points for a free night. They reintroduced hotel categories in early 2019, but still only have three different levels: 7,500, 15,000, and 30,000 points.
  • We value Wyndham points at .8 cents each.
  • Wyndham’s points and cash option can be the best way to book your room. You pay only 20% of the points cost for 30% off the room rate. When prices are high or low, you are better off with a straight points or straight cash redemption, but when prices are in the middle, "Go Fast" redemptions are the best option.
  • Wyndham has a partnership with Caesars Rewards. You can earn and redeem Wyndham points at their casinos hotels and your Platinum or Diamond status in each program is automatically matched by the other. There are some valuable benefits associated with this program.
  • You can use your Wyndham points to book a large set of vacation homes and condos, rather than hotels. At these locations, you’ll pay 15,000 points per bedroom. So, a 1-bedroom condo would be 15,000 points per night and a 4-bedroom house would require 60,000 points. And since you won't be charged the cleaning and other fees, you can save a substantial amount of money, especially on shorter rentals.

Wyndham Brands

You can also earn and redeem points at the Caesar / Harrah’s family of hotels, and for thousands of vacation homes and condos.

WyndhamBrandsGrand.jpg WyndhamBrandsDolce.jpg WyndhamBrandsWyndham.jpg WyndhamBrandsTryp.jpg WyndhamBrandsEsplender.jpg WyndhamBrandsDazzler.jpg WyndhamBrandsTM.jpg WyndhamBrandsWingate.jpg WyndhamBrandsGarden.png WyndhamBrandsLaQuinta.png WyndhamBrandsAmercInn.png WyndhamBrandsRamada.png WyndhamBrandsBaymont.jpg WyndhamBrandsMicrotel.jpg WyndhamBrandsDays.jpg WyndhamBrandsSuper8.png WyndhamBrandsHJ.jpg WyndhamBrandsTravelodge.jpg WyndhamBrandsDazzler.png WyndhamBrandsHawthorn.jpg

Award Chart

Wyndham has a simple award chart.

Cat Free Night 35% off
1 7,500 1,500
2 15,000 3,000
3 30,000 6,000

Only about 500 of their 9,000 hotels require 30,000 points, but the vast majority of their other hotels are very inexpensive members of chains like Day's Inn.

Go Fast Awards

With "Go Fast" awards, you pay 20% of the required number of points to book the hotel room at 70% of the daily room rate.

  • You are not really getting a full 30% discount. The required cash portion is calculated based on the regular non-discounted rate. Cheaper rates (such as "member rates" and AAA rates) are almost always available. As a result, using points will save you less than 30%. For example, if the regular room rate is $100, the cash portion of the Cash and Points award will be $70, but a discounted room rate might only be $90. In this case, the Go Fast award would only drop the rate an additional $20 (or 22%).
  • If room rates are high, you are better paying the full award cost to make a "Go Free" reservation. For example, if a category 2 room has a $150 room rate, you can either use 15,000 points or you can use 3,000 points plus $105. Spending the extra 12,000 points saves $105 and provides an incremental value of almost .9 cents per point (which is a good deal).
  • If room rates are very low, you are better off with a cash reservation. For example, if the same Category 2 hotel only costs $70 per night, you'd only be receiving .47 cents per point if you spent the full 15,000 points to book the room. With a Go Fast awards, you'd need to use 3,000 points to get a 30% ($21) discount, getting around .4 cents per point. Neither of these is a good deal.
  • When rates are in the middle, the cash and points reservation is the better option. At a value of .8 cents per point, Cash and Points reservations make sense for room rates in the following ranges.
    • Cat Range
    1 $40-70
    2 $80-140
    3 $160-275

    At room rates higher than this range, use the full amount of points (if you have them). At room rates lower than this range, don't use any of your points.

  • You need to adjust the bottom end of this range based on the true discount you are receiving. At a value of .8 cents per point, the difference between the actual discounted rate you would need to pay for the room and the cash portion of the "Go Fast" rate needs to be at least $10, $20, or $50 for Category 1, 2, and 3 hotels.

Booking Vacation Houses and Condos

Wyndham operates many different vacation clubs and has also partnered with a number of other vacation home and condo rental companies, including many Vacasa rental properties.

You can you your Wyndham points to book thousands of different vacation homes and condos. When you do, you pay by the bedroom.

For example, a Go Free award for a 2-bedroom condo would be 30,000 points per night, a Go Fast award at 4-bedroom vacation house requires 12,000 points plus a cash payment, and a roomy 1-bedroom condo doesn’t cost any more points than a normal hotel room.

And if you were thinking about booking a vacation house, using your points will save you the often-hefty cleaning and extra fees.

WyndhamRentals.jpg

Unfortunately, you'll need to call in to make these reservations, the normal representatives often can't help, and just because a unit looks like it should be available, doesn't mean you'll be able to book it. But it doesn't hurt to call in and try.

WyndhamVacasa.png
Incredible Deals on Vacasa Vacaton Rentals with Wyndham

Acquiring Points

Acquiring last minute points

If you see a great redemption deal at Wyndham hotels, there are several ways that you can acquire a few additional points. 

Transferring Venture points

You can transfer points from Capital One's Venture cards. You'll get 3,000 Wyndham points for every 4,000 Venture points you transfer. Normally, this isn't a high value way to use your Venture points, but it can easily be worthwhile for a high-value Wyndham reward redemption.

Purchasing points

You can only purchase up to 45,000 points per year, in 1,000-point increments, for 1.3 cents per point. Sometimes promotions are available, which allow you purchase points for less money per point and enable you to purchase more points per year. Get a Discounted Room Rate by Buying the Points for an Award Night.

Daily Getaway promotion

Every Spring, the US Travel Association runs a promotion called “Daily Getaways”. Each day, they offer limited numbers of a specific travel “offer” for sale. In previous years, they offered packages of 15,000 Wyndham points for about $150. While this is only a little cheaper than the normal purchase rate of 1.3 cents per point, it bypasses the normal limit of only 45,000 points per year. Each buyer could purchase two packages for a total of 30,000 points. 

Earning Points from Your Stays

Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent at Wyndham. The minimum reward is 1,000 points per stay, so you earn at a slightly higher rate at less expensive hotels. Note that any elite status bonus points are factored in first. If that takes you over the 1,000 point minimum, you don't receive additional points. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members earn bonuses of 10%, 15%, or 20% on stays.

If you use the Wyndham credit card, you'll earn an additional 5-8 points per dollar. The business version earns 8 points per dollar and the regular version earns 6 points. Even the 5 points per dollar from the no annual fee card is probably more valuable than what you can earn from another credit card (assuming you're likely to have good opportunities to redeem your Wyndham points in the future). Best Credit Cards for Travel Spending.

Other Ways to Earn Points

The best way to quickly earn a bunch of points is by signing up for the Wyndham credit card. The annual-fee-based and the business card has a normal signup bonus of 45,000 points ($1,000 initial spending requirement) and the no-annual-fee card has a normal signup bonus of 30,000 points. The cards are issued by Barclays, and you should be able to periodically cancel and re-apply to earn the signup bonus again.  Credit Card Signup Bonuses: The Easiest Path to Free Airplane Tickets and Hotel Nights.

A couple other options are available and can be viewed here.

Keeping your Points from Expiring

You will lose your points four years after you’ve earned them. This happens, even if you are actively earning points. You need to make sure to use them. You can also lose your points if you go 18 months without qualifying activity.

Because you can freely transfer points between the Wyndham and Caesars programs, you can keep your account active by transferring points to Caesars (and then back again if you want to).

Member Benefits

Extra elite nights rollover to the following year.

Blue (entry level)
    • Discounted “member” rates.
    • Free Wi-Fi.
Gold (5 nights)
10% bonus points plus the following benefits:
    • Preferred room within the same room category.
    • Late checkout, upon availability.
    • Extra $5 activity discount with Go Free awards. You’ll still only get $5 on Go Fast awards.
Platinum (15 nights)
15% bonus points plus the following benefits:
    • Early check-in, upon availability.
    • 3,000-point annual bonus. 
    • Avis and Budget car rental upgrade.
Diamond (40 nights)
20% bonus points plus the following benefits:
    • Upgrade to a suite on every stay. Subject to availability on both paid and award stays.
    • Free snack or beverage. 
    • Give gold status to a friend or family member.

Caesars Rewards Benefits

Wyndham has a partnership with the loyalty program of the Caesars and Harrah’s family of casinos. Platinum and Diamond status in either program is matched at the other.

AtlantisResort.jpg

You can also get Total Rewards Diamond status via the Founders Card program. If you do, you’ll get Wyndham Diamond status for free and access to its potential suite upgrades.

Platinum
Includes the following benefits:
    • Complimentary stay at Atlantis. Every year, you can book a free 2-night stay at the Royal or Coral Towers in Atlantis (except over Christmas break). For each night, you'll still be responsible a $50+ resort fee plus a $5 per person gratuity. You can add also add additional nights at a reduced rate. During off-peak travel times, you’ll can get an additional free night plus $25 in free slot play.
    • Complimentary parking at Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos.
    • 15% discount at casino gift shops.
Diamond
Adds the following benefits:
    • $100 credit for dinner at casino restaurants. This is once per year, and can be used at most of the Total Reward casino restaurants.
    • 2 free Vegas show tickets every calendar month. There is availability for many, but not all, of the Caesars family casino shows in Vegas. You must pick up a voucher in person for a still available show within the next three days.
    • No resort fees at casino hotels.
    • Additional nights at Atlantis. When you book your free Atlantis stay, you can stay for up to four nights instead of two and will receive $75 of free slot play During off-peak months, you get an additional $25 of slot play.
    • 15% off the best available room rate. Also discounts at Total Rewards golf courses.
    • 20% discount at casino gift shops.  Instead of 15%.
    • 72-hour room availability guarantee.
    • Paid access to Laurel Lounges.
    • 2 free nights at Caesars Resort Dubai. This is officially only available to people who "earned" status with Caesars, so you may not get this benefit if you matched from Wyndham.

Shortcuts to Wyndham Elite Status

Each of the Wyndham credit cards gives you some level of elite status. The no-annual-fee card gives you Gold status, the Earner+ gives you Platinum status, and the business card gives you Diamond status.

Historically, Wyndham has typically matched your status from other hotel programs. They even have a dedicated [status matching webpage. Unfortunately, that program was put on hold during the pandemic and they haven't brought it back yet.

Once you get status once, you can keep it going indefinitely. Caesar's status lasts until the end of January each year. During January every year, you can match your Caesar's status to Wyndham to restore your Wyndham status (if necessary). Then during February, after your Caesar's status resets, you can restore it by matching your Wyndham status back.

The Wyndham Credit Cards



  • If you are willing and able to get business credit cards and you are interested in the valuable benefits that come with Wyndham and Total Rewards Diamond status, you might want to get the Wyndham Business Card. It provides automatic Diamond status in both programs and its annual 15,000 point bonus more than offsets the $95 annual fee (assuming you occasionally have the opportunity to spend Wyndham points).

    • Since Wyndham often makes it very easy to get a status match, you don't necessarily need the card for easy Diamond status. But the status benefits of the card are locked-in regardless of Wyndham's current status matching situation.

  • The Earner+ and Business cards have a typical signup bonus of 45,000 points. The Earner card provides an additional 7,500 points each year when you renew ($75). The Business card provides an additional 15,000 points. The typical signup bonus for the no-annual-fee card is 30,000 points.
  • All the cards give you a an additional discount on your reservations. Award Stays cost 10% fewer points and you'll save an additional 2% on member rates (either 12% or 7% off, instead of 10% or 5%). If you are not interested in holding onto the Earner+ card for its platinum status, you might want to downgrade it to the no-annual-fee card to retain these discounts.
  • When staying at Wyndham, you are likely to get slightly better rewards by using the Wyndham card. The business card's 8x Wyndham points are worth about 6.4 cents per dollar and the Earner+ card's 6x points are worth about 4.8. Best Credit Cards for Travel Spending.
  • The cards also have nice reward rates for gas and utilities.



HiltonHonors.jpg
Get Extra Benefits and Cheaper Rates Just by Signing Up for Hotel Loyalty Programs
Steps.jpg
Boost Your Hotel Status
HotelRoom2.jpg
Award Nights 101: Using Your Hotel Points
Send comments or suggestions to editor@travelstrategies.com or leave a comment below.



blog comments powered by Disqus
Retrieved from "https://www.travelstrategies.com/index.php?title=Wyndham_rewards&oldid=36343"