Back in 2012, Wyndham ran an extremely generous promotion where you’d earn 16,000 points per stay (up to 3 stays) at select hotels. They actually ran this promotion on two separate occasions and was probably one of the best mattress run promotions I took advantage of. At that time their redemption structure was quite different then what it is today, as of 2015, 15,000 points gets you a room at ANY Wyndham hotel – doesn’t matter if it is a $400 all-inclusive or a $40 Super 8 on the side of the highway. They have a fixed redemption program. Although at that time I used the points earned to transfer to Southwest at a generous conversion ratio to earn the Companion pass – that opportunity is no longer available.
One of the reasons it was on of the best mattress run promotions was because no-show stays earned points. You didn’t actually have to check into the hotel to earn the points. All you had to do was book a cheap hotel room from the comfort of your room and after the stay completed, you’d earn your regular hotel points. Earning the regular hotel points then triggered the bonus points. This was not a unique situation during that promotional timeframe, but how the Wyndham Rewards program always earned points a no-show stays.
New Promotion!
There is now a new promotion from Wyndham and while not nearly as generous, it is still extremely worthwhile – and definitely mattress run worthy. Two different promotions: 1) Earn 7,500 points per stay, up to 15,000 points total (2 stays) – you just need to use Masterpass as your payment method when you check out, and 2) Earn 10,000 points after 1 stay (one time bonus), although this is a targeted offer. If you are eligible for both (everyone is eligible for #1), you can earn 17,500 points after your first stay or 25,000 points after two stays.
Fast forward 5 years, I am actually not sure if no-show stays still earn points. I cannot find any members experience on other blogs, FlyerTalk, or google searches. So feel free to leave your experience below! Of course, even if someone has had a positive experience there is no guarantee. If no-shows do count, then getting a $35ish hotel stay during this particular promotion is definitely mattress run worthy! But, if no-show stays do not count, you can probably still find a very inexpensive hotel nearby and actually check-in. Of course, having an actual use for the stay is best!
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Does one need to set up a Masterpass account beforehand or can it all be done at the time of making the reservation?
Yes, set up the MasterPass account 1st. but it can be completed a minute before making the reservation.
How do you use masterpass when you check out?
@James – Yes, use masterpass during checkout. Just create a masterpass account prior to. Takes a few minutes, max.
Wyndham T/C:
“If the Participating Property requires a credit card for a reservation, the Member is a no-show, and the Participating Property charges his/her credit card for the first night of the no-show stay at the applicable rate (which rate matches or exceeds the Minimum Total Rate), such night will be deemed a Qualified Stay and the Member will receive base points or Travel Partner Currency, as applicable, for such night as if he/she had stayed, but will not receive any bonus points or bonus Travel Partner Currency available in connection with any promotion that may be offered at the time of the Qualified Stay (“Promotional Points” or “Promotional Travel Partner Currency”, as applicable).”
@Mitchell – Thanks for sharing. From the terms it seems like it WOULD count, but I still haven’t received any personal experience.
deals, thought the T&Cs states that the bonus pt will not award as this:
but will not receive any bonus points or bonus Travel Partner Currency available in connection with any promotion that may be offered at the time of the Qualified Stay (“Promotional Points” or “Promotional Travel Partner Currency”, as applicable).
if enforced, my thinking is that the 7500 pts won’t be awarded, correct?
“…but will not receive any bonus points or bonus Travel Partner Currency available in connection with any promotion that may be offered at the time of the Qualified Stay”
Bummer