WHY IT RATES: The expansion of the loyalty program is a result of Wyndham’s acquisition of LaQuinta hotels and from direct consumer feedback, proving that Wyndham is listening and working to cater to their customers’ needs. —Alex Temblador, TravelPulse Associate Writer
Wyndham Rewards, the world’s most generous rewards program, is about to become even more rewarding this April with plans to introduce a wide-array of new features—from free nights at thousands of hotels starting at just 7,500 points (half their original redemption cost), to the addition of more than 900 La Quinta hotels, to the ability to earn and redeem points with a host of new and expanded partners.
A direct response to research and feedback from program members, the effort underscores Wyndham’s ongoing commitment to delivering a simple, generous rewards program that’s uniquely designed for the needs of the everyday traveler. Wyndham Rewards currently has approximately 61 million enrolled members worldwide.
“We know members love the simplicity and generosity of Wyndham Rewards but we also know they want greater flexibility when it comes to where and how they can redeem their points,” said Eliot Hamlisch, senior vice president of global loyalty and partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “With these changes, we’re making thousands of hotels available for half the points and what’s more, drastically expanding the ways in which they can earn and redeem those points, making it easier than ever for them to engage with the program.”
Here’s what Wyndham Rewards members have to look forward to come this April:
A Faster Way to Free and Discounted Nights
Empowering more members to redeem points where and how they want, Wyndham Rewards will begin offering three tiers for both free night redemptions (go free) and points + cash redemptions (go fast). Members will also start earning points on the cash portion of points + cash redemptions.
Free Nights Starting at Just 7,500 Points
Free night redemptions will be available at 7,500 points, 15,000 points, and 30,000 points, while points + cash redemptions will be available at 1,500 points + cash, 3,000 points + cash, and 6,000 points + cash, respectively. All redemptions will be per bedroom, per night. Approximately one-third of the program’s hotel portfolio—nearly 3,000 hotels—is expected to move to the more affordable 7,500 point tier while approximately 200 properties will move into the new 30,000 point tier.
Over 30,000 Hotels, Club Resorts, Vacation Rentals and Counting
Wyndham Rewards already offers one of the largest, most diverse redemption portfolios in the world and now it’s getting even bigger, from thousands of club resorts and vacation rentals to more than 900 La Quinta hotels.
Wyndham Rewards Welcomes La Quinta
La Quinta hotels will officially become a part of Wyndham Rewards on April 3. Free night redemptions will start as low as 7,500 points and with every qualified stay, members will earn 10 points per dollar spent or a minimum of 1,000 points, whichever is more.
More Ways to Earn, More Ways to Redeem
Providing more ways to earn and redeem points than ever before, Wyndham Rewards will debut a host of new and expanded partnerships this April. Members can look forward to earning points for food delivery through DoorDash, earning and redeeming points at Marathon gas stations, and earning and redeeming points when booking tours and activities around the globe with Viator. The program will also unveil a new shopping portal, enabling members to earn points on purchases with thousands of online retailers.
Extra Points on Stays
In addition to new earn and redeem partners, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Wyndham Rewards members will be able to earn extra points on their qualified stays with the introduction of accelerated earn. Gold members will earn 10% more in base points, Platinum members will earn 15% more and Diamond members will earn 20% more. Accelerated earn replaces point bonuses, which were previously awarded annually for Platinum and Diamond members.
The vast majority of the above program changes are anticipated to take effect starting April 3, 2019. La Quinta Returns® will officially end at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 2, 2019. Additional information related to earn and redeem opportunities with new partners is expected to be available in late March. For more information on Wyndham Rewards, including full details on the changes and new benefits listed above, visit www.wyndhamrewards.com/comingsoon.
