Last year, Wyndham made MANY changes to the program with the most significant one being a fixed award chart. Every single hotel will require 15,000 points for a free night regardless of the quality of the hotel – a beach resort and a in much needed airport hotel in the middle of nowhere will require the exact same number of points. I personally embraced the change as this allows me to redeem less points at nicer hotels. You can learn more about these point redemption opportunities here.
Now, Wyndham is also adding the elite status levels and bonuses for actually using your points. Fortunately, there are actually NO NEGATIVES to these add-ons! Usually when a program makes some modifications, even if it is mostly positives, there are a few hidden negatives. This time, I am happy to share only good news!
Elite Tier Levels + Benefits
Starting May 18, 2016, this will be the new tier levels and benefits per status.
Ultimately, everyone can be a Blue member just by signing up to be a Wyndham Rewards member – no real added perks, but will allow you to earn and redeem points. A Gold and Platinum level also doesn’t carry too many benefits, although you’ll get late check out (2 hours later) with Gold and early check (2 hours earlier) in with Platinum. Platinum members will also get a 3,000 point bonus annually. For me, the real perk comes as a Diamond member where you are eligible to receive a suite upgrade, if available. These are available for paid or award stays and for high end or resort properties, the added space can be appreciated. Diamonds will also receive a 6,000 point bonus annually and the opportunity to give Gold status to a friend or family member.
For me personally, my desired perks with status are a nicer/upgraded room and complimentary food (whether it be free breakfast or a concierge lounge). While a nicer and upgraded room is available for those with status, breakfast/concierge lounge is not.
While I wouldn’t chase down Wyndham status, if you typically stay at Wyndham properties, this is a great new addition! Additionally, unused nights towards status will rollover. So if you only stay 4 nights this year, for example, all 4 nights will rollover towards status for the following year. If you only stay 6 nights this year, for example, 5 nights will be redeemed for Gold status, and 1 night will rollover towards status for the following year.
As of now, there has been no announced status benefit of having the Wyndham credit card or a status match. We will see if anything pops up in the next few months though.
Perks for Using Your Points
When you redeem your points for a free night at select properties (properties still unannounced), you’ll receive a special discount on a unique local experience. The discount level depends on your status:
Go Free Awards:
- Base: $5 voucher for a local experience per night
- Gold + Platinum: $10 voucher for a local experience per night
- Diamond: 2 free tickets which can be valued up to $150
Go Fast Awards:
- Base + Gold + Platinum: $5 voucher for a local experience per night
- Diamond: $10 voucher for a local experience per night
Wyndham is essentially trying to get you to use your points! If you are a Diamond member then using all points, instead of the Points + Cash option (Go Fast Awards), can be much more beneficial. Although, it depends on the property and the actual “local experience”. Once the program is fully rolled out, there will be more reports on how valuable these vouchers and free tickets really are.
Overall, a welcomed addition to the program!
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There are no negatives, unless you count the 15,000 bonus points you got after 20 stays with the old program. I use their properties for business when the DC area room rates get too crazy elsewhere, or to take advantage of promos (5K for Visa Checkout, etc.) I’ll continue the same with no intention for shooting for Diamond (currently Platinum). I rarely find use for the early check-in / late check-out.