While Marriott and Hilton may be the first names to come to mind for most people when considering large-scale hotel chains, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts actually holds the title of the world’s largest hotel franchising company. Boasting more than 8,300 properties across six continents, in over 90 countries, Wyndham is truly a force to be reckoned with. This being the case, there are three strong Wyndham credit card options to choose from.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts portfolio of 22 brands is truly something to behold, and their vast U.S. reach is evidenced by the popular slogan “chances are, you’re about 10 minutes from a hotel by Wyndham”.
From budget to midscale hotels such as Days Inn and La Quinta, Wyndham has something for everyone, including the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program which allows members to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals around the world.
Our Picks: The Best Wyndham Credit Card for Churning
In 2020, Wyndham and Barclays teamed up to update their cobranded credit card offerings, including the no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card, and the first ever Wyndham card created specifically for small businesses: the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card. These are the three cards that I will be reviewing below.
If you’re looking at all the options in the Wyndham and Barclays lineup, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Here’s a quick overview of the differences between them to help you make an informed decision that best meets your spending and travel needs.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 15.74% – 24.99%
- Credit Score: Excellent/Good (700 – 749)
Benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card is great for occasional travelers who stay at Wyndham properties. You can earn 5 points per dollar when you make purchases at Wyndham hotels and gas stations, and 2 points per dollar at dining and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart).
Plus, with a welcome bonus of up to 30,000 bonus points, you get plenty of value for your stay. Every standard free night award starts at 7,500 points per night – enough for multiple hotel nights on your next vacation. According to The Points Guy, Wyndham Rewards points are worth 1.1 cents each, so the sign-up bonus is worth $330 — not bad considering it’s a no-annual-fee card!
If you don’t stay at Wyndham hotels usually but still want the benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Program, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card is a great no-annual-fee option. However, if you spend multiple nights a year at Wyndham properties, you’re better off with the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card – it offers even more value.
Earning Points and Redeeming Rewards
Whenever you spend at eligible Hotels by Wyndham and gas stations, you can earn 5 points per dollar. Plus, when you make dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) you can get 2 points per dollar. Finally, you get 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Cardmembers are automatically updated to Wyndham Rewards Gold status and get free Wi-Fi, preferred room selection, and late checkout. Plus, you have the opportunity to earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year when you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases. On top of that, you get a 10% points discount on redemptions for free nights and no foreign transaction fees.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card Welcome Offer
Cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
- Welcome Bonus: Cardholders can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
- Annual Fee: $75
- APR: 15.74% – 24.99%
- Credit Score: Excellent/Good (700 – 749)
Benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Opt for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and make your stays even better! Enjoy automatic Platinum status, granting you all sorts of extra perks like early check-in, car rental upgrades and a 10% discount when you redeem points for free nights.
Get an amazing sign-up bonus worth $495, plus a 7,500-point bonus on your anniversary year each year with no spending requirement. Even if you don’t stay at Wyndham hotels very often, with its improved earning rates and superior welcome offer this card is still worth considering.
Earning Points and Redeeming Rewards
Get rewarded on your trips and everyday purchases with the Hotels by Wyndham credit card. Earn 6 points per dollar on Hotels by Wyndham purchases and gas station purchases. You also get 4 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart). Finally, cardholders get 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This card also allows holders to get the most out of their Wyndham Rewards membership with Platinum status. This comes with all the same perks of Gold status plus early check-in, car rental upgrades with Avis and Budget, and Caesars Rewards status match. Plus, cardholders get 7,500 bonus points every year on their anniversary with no spending requirement.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card Welcome Offer
Cardholders can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
- Welcome Bonus: Cardholders can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 15.74% – 24.99%
- Credit Score: Excellent/Good (700 – 749)
Benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card is a great choice for travelers who stay at Hotels by Wyndham multiple times a year or are planning to. This card stands out from the others with two features not found elsewhere.
You can earn 5 points per dollar on utilities, including telecommunications services, cable, satellite, electric, gas, heating oil and water. Plus, you can get a bonus category specifically for your domestic bills such as electricity and water – something that’s rarely seen!
With the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, you don’t just get access to the usual rewards program, but also a great cellphone insurance policy. This benefit is offered by other cards too, so it’s nothing groundbreaking.
However, it can still save you up to $600 if your phone gets damaged or stolen. So if you’re a small-business owner looking to take advantage of Wyndham Rewards, this card is definitely worth considering.
Earning Points and Redeeming Rewards
With the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card you can get 8 points for every $1 spent at Hotels by Wyndham and qualifying gas purchases. You also get 5 points for every $1 spent on marketing, advertising and utilities. Finally cardholders receive 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else.
When you hold the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, you gain access to the incredible benefits of Wyndham Rewards Diamond status including suite upgrades, a welcome amenity at check-in and the ability to gift Gold status to a family member or friend.
You’ll also get 15,000 points each anniversary year with no spending requirements. Plus, cardholders are provided cellphone insurance when using the card to pay their wireless bill ($50 deductible capped at maximum coverage of $600 per event).
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card Welcome Offer
Cardholders can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of card membership.
Maximizing Your Points with Wyndham Credit Card Options
When it’s time to redeem your points, the Wyndham Rewards program is all about choice. You aren’t limited to trading points for hotel stays. With the “Go For It” option, you can also redeem them for gift cards, tours and activities, merchandise and charitable donations. Alternatively, you can transfer them to airline partners to receive frequent flier miles.
However, you do get the most bang for your buck when you use your points toward Wyndham accommodations. Depending on the property, free room nights fall into one of three levels: 7,500 points, 15,000 points and 30,000 points per night.
If you prefer, you can opt to use a smaller number of points (1,500, 3,000 or 6,000) toward a room night and pay the rest in cash, which varies based on the property and is determined by a percentage of the standard room rate. Either way, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount when redeeming your points for stays at Wyndham properties.
Which Wyndham Rewards Credit Card do I Recommend?
The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card is a great choice for those who want to try out hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. With this entry-level card, you can get up to 30,000 bonus points – enough for four free nights in various Wyndham brands – starting at 7,500 points per night. For even better earning rates and higher elite status plus benefits, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card offers 7,500 anniversary bonus points for only $75 a year.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card is an ideal choice for any business. With 8 points per dollar spent on gas and 5 points per dollar spent on common office and household expenses like electricity and water bills, it has a great earning structure.
Plus, you’ll get Diamond elite status, 15,000 anniversary bonus points with no spending requirement and a 10% discount on award redemption. This card is a powerful option for any hotel cobranded card.
Best Cards for Churning by Airline or Hotel
Our Verdict: The Best Wyndham Credit Card for Churning
If you stay at Wyndham-branded hotels at least a few times a year, a Wyndham Rewards credit card is definitely worth considering. If you’re torn between the Wyndham Rewards Earner and Earner Plus cards, the Plus card is probably worth the annual fee for occasional or frequent travelers.
The benefits and points-earning potential are significantly better than the standard card, and you may also qualify for a reduced interest rate depending on how good your credit rating is.
For small business owners, as long as you or your employees can use Wyndham hotels for the majority of your business travel—which is an easy lift, considering the 20 brand options available—the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card is a winning proposition.
You’ll earn rewards for the expenses you’re already paying, like utilities and advertising costs, and you can easily equip your team to earn points on your account as well. With its minimal annual fee and bonus protection on cell phones, it’s hard to find a down side to this card.
Looking for some additional resources? Check these out:
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- What is Credit Card Churning? The Ultimate Guide For 2023
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- Credit Card Churning Pros and Cons: Our Take For 2023