As a loyalty program of upscale and lifestyle hotels such as Wyndham and TRYP by Wyndham, as well as mid-range and value chains such as Ramada and Travelodge, Wyndham Rewards is the key to your points and benefits.
These perks start on your very first stay with free Wi-Fi for all entry-level blue members, and with a Gold card – currently yours after just three nights – there’s also a free late checkout.
Wherever your travels take you in 2021 and beyond, here’s what you need to know about Wyndham Rewards.
What is Wyndham Rewards?
As a global hotel loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards members can earn and spend points at over 9,000 hotels worldwide.
These are spread across over 80 countries, with 20 brands participating in the program, as below.
Which hotels are affiliated with Wyndham Rewards?
Wyndham Rewards encompasses a wide range of accommodation brands ranging from upscale luxury to “value” based chains and extended stay properties.
At this higher end of the spectrum, Wyndham and Wyndham Grand are of course covered, as are Dolce Hotels and Resorts properties.
TRYP by Wyndham, Esplendor, Dazzler, and Trademark are also affiliated, as are Ramada, La Quinta, Wingate by Wyndham, Wyndham Garden, AmericInn, Ramada Encore, and Baymont hotels.
Travelodge, Howard Johnson, Super 8, Days Inn, Microtel by Wyndham and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham round out the program.
Wyndham Rewards membership levels
Beyond Blue’s entry level, Wyndham Rewards offers three elite membership levels.
- Blue membership is that beginner level level, given immediately after joining. Right off the bat, you’ll get free Wi-Fi and earn points with every stay, as well as access to discounted room rates (“the reward rate”), which may be lower than the best rate. available from a hotel.
- Gold Subscription can be yours after just three nights, offering all the benefits of Blue plus late check-out (subject to availability), 10% bonus points earned on each stay, higher priority for bedding requests (such as for a bed single king, when you have booked a twin room), and more.
- Platinum Membership is unlocked after nine nights, combining all the benefits of Blue and Gold but with a 15% higher points bonus on hotel stays, plus free early check-in on request, rental car upgrades with Avis and Budget in the US and Canada, elite status match with Caesars Rewards, and more.
- Diamond Membership is reached after 24 nights. Being the top tier of the program, you’ll enjoy all the rewards of the lower tiers (with a 20% higher points bonus), as well as upgrades to hotel suites (subject to availability), a snack or a free drink upon check-in, and Free Gold Membership for a friend or family member.
The above figures for qualification are based on reduced levels from 2021. Different requirements may be in place from 2022 and beyond.
How do I earn Wyndham Rewards points?
For every qualifying stay at a Wyndham Rewards affiliated hotel, you are guaranteed to earn at least 1,000 points.
However, there’s a good chance you can earn more, with a winning rate of 10 points per US $ 1 spent covering most bookings.
This means that if your hotel folio is equal to US $ 100 or less, you will earn that minimum of 1,000 points. If your bill is $ 101 or more, you’ll earn 10 points for every $ 1 instead, giving you over 1,000 points.
Alternatively, you can choose to earn points or miles directly to your frequent flyer account instead of Wyndham Rewards points.
Wyndham Rewards Blue and Gold members get one mile for every $ 1 spent on qualifying stays with most airline partners, while Platinum and Diamond members get 2 miles for every $ 1 of the same amount.
Additionally, Wyndham Rewards points can be earned through online purchases, Avis car rentals, or by purchasing points directly from the program itself.
Read: Here’s why you shouldn’t be buying hotel loyalty points right now
How do I use Wyndham Rewards points?
Wyndham Rewards points can be used in a number of ways, but the most common way is to spend them on hotel stays.
Wyndham hotel stays using Wyndham Rewards points
The program offers the choice between “Go Free” and “Go Fast” rewards.
Go Free bookings are free stays purchased entirely with points – requiring 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 points per night, depending on the hotel – while Go Fast bookings are similar to the “cash plus points” option d ‘other hotel chains.
These Go Fast reservations allow members to spend only 1,500, 3,000 or 6,000 points per night, plus a separate cash amount as part of the reservation.
This allows members to use their points faster and save money on bookings by redeeming their points, although some travelers may naturally prefer the “free” stay concept, via the Go Free route.
Convert Wyndham Rewards points to airline miles, rail points
While hotel bookings using points generally offer better value in Wyndham Rewards, members can also convert their Wyndham Rewards points into frequent flyer points or miles with a range of airline partners, as well as others. on the ground.
These transfers take place at a Ratio of 5: 1 in all programs, with a minimum conversion amount of 6,000 Wyndham Rewards points per transfer.
That makes 6,000 Wyndham points equal to 1,200 frequent flyer points (or 1,200 points in other ground programs).
Conversion partners include:
- Aeromexico Club Premier
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air China PhoenixMiles
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Fortune Wings Club of the HNA group
- Frontier Airlines Miles Frontier
- Redemption points
- Turkish Airlines miles and smiles
- United MileagePlus
Although Wyndham does not have a frequent flyer partner in Australia, the airlines it partners with still provide plenty of opportunities for Australian travelers to spend their points.
For example, American Airlines’ frequent flyer program enables flight bookings across the Oneworld alliance, including Qantas domestic flights in Australia.
Virgin Australia flights, on the other hand, can be booked using Fortune Wings Club miles: the Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines loyalty program.
More generally, flight bookings through Star Alliance are possible from the loyalty programs of Air Canada, Air China, Avianca, Turkish Airlines and United, while AeroMexico unlocks award flights through SkyTeam.
Of course, given the 5: 1 conversion rate of these Wyndham Rewards programs, the best use of these conversions would be to reload a existing the balance of miles, if you only have a small stack of miles left below the desired reward.
Even so, the earning rate of at least 10 points per USD spent to start – plus bonus points offered to elite Wyndham Rewards members – could still make this option more rewarding than directly earning miles, as discussed below. -above.
Use Wyndham Rewards points for merchandise, gift cards
Like many loyalty programs, Wyndham Rewards members can also use their points to purchase various items, activities, and gift cards.
The number of points needed for each reward option may vary, although, again, using points for hotel stays – or failing that, to top up your frequent flyer account – may be a better option. .
Read also : Your guide to the IHG Rewards Club program