Wyndham Rewards has three elite levels: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.Â
You can enjoy elite status benefits at Wyndham’s diverse group of hotel brands including LaQuinta, Days Inn, Ramada, Dolce, Trademark, Super 8, Microtel, and Wyndham Grand.
Their elite program is below average compared with other hotel elite programs, but there are a few nice benefits you can take advantage of including a status match to Caesars Rewards and discounts on tours and experiences.
Blue (Base) Status
Everyone who joins Wyndham Rewards gets Blue (base) status. It’s free and allows you to earn points and gets you free Wi-Fi.
10 Points Per Dollar Spent at Hotels & Resorts
Blue members earn 10 points per dollar spent on spending at Wyndham hotels and resorts.
A stay that cost $375 would net you 3,750 Wyndham points, which is halfway to a free night at the lowest award level of 7,500 points per night.
Free Wi-Fi
All members of the Wyndham Rewards program receive free Wi-Fi.
Wyndham Gold Elite Status
The lowest elite tier in Wyndham Rewards is Gold, which gets you access to preferred rooms, a late-checkout, and a 10% points bonus.
Earning Gold Elite Status
You can earn Wyndham Gold status in 2020 due to COVID-19 by staying only 3 nights.Â
In 2021, the nightly requirement will likely return to 5 nights per year.
You can also earn Gold status with the no annual fee Barclays Wyndham Earner credit card.
One interesting aspect of Wyndham’s elite status program is that unused qualifying nights roll-over to the next year.Â
For example, if you stayed 5 nights over what is needed for Gold status, those 5 nights roll-over to the following year.
Gold Elite Status Benefits
Wyndham Gold elite status comes with all of the benefits below plus free Wi-Fi.
Preferred Rooms
All elite members have access to preferred rooms, which may have a better view, more room, higher floor, or recently renovated.
10% Points Bonus
Gold members earn a 10% points bonus on all Wyndham stays, which equals 1 extra point per dollar spent.
Experience Discounts on Award Stays
Gold and Platinum members earn a $10 discount on a local experience when they use their points to book a free night (“go free” award), and a $5 discount when Gold members book a cash + points awards (“go fast” award)
Late Check-Out
All elite members may request a late checkout of up to 2 hours past the standard check-out time.
Wyndham Platinum Elite Status
The middle elite tier of Wyndham Rewards is Platinum status, which has some nice benefits such as early check-in, Caesar Rewards’ Platinum status, and a 15% points bonus.
Earning Platinum Elite Status
You can earn Wyndham Platinum status in 2020 due to COVID-19 by staying only 9 nights.Â
In 2021, the nightly requirement will likely return to 15 nights per year.
You can also earn Platinum elite status with the Barclays Wyndham Earner Plus credit card.
Platinum Elite Status Benefits
Wyndham Platinum elite members enjoy the benefits below plus the benefits of Gold members, including:
- Upgrades to Preferred Rooms.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Late checkout.
- “Experience” discounts when redeeming points.
Early Check-In
Platinum and Diamond members can request an early check-in up to 2 hours before the standard check-in time (typically 3:00 p.m.) subject to the availability of the hotel.
15% Points Bonus
Platinum members earn a 15% points bonus on all of their spending at Wyndham hotels and resorts, which is equivalent to 11.5 points per dollar spent.
Caesars Rewards' Platinum Status
Platinum members receive a status match to Caesars Rewards Platinum status, which gets you the following benefits:
- Complimentary valet and self-parking.
- A complimentary four-night stay at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas.
Avis and Budget Car Rental Upgrades
Platinum and Diamond members are eligible for a complimentary one car class upgrade at participating Avis and Budget locations in the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).
Wyndham Diamond Status
Wyndham’s top elite status is Diamond, which offers some interesting benefits such as two free tickets on award stays, Caesars Rewards Diamond status, and suite upgrades.
Earning Diamond Elite Status
You can earn Wyndham Diamond status in 2020 due to COVID-19 by staying only 24 nights.Â
In 2021, the nightly requirement will likely return to 40 nights per year.
You can also earn Diamond status with the Barclays Wyndham Earner Business credit card.
Diamond Elite Status Benefits
Wyndham Diamond elite members enjoy the benefits below plus the benefits of Platinum members including:
- Upgrades to Preferred Rooms.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Late checkout.
- Early check-in.
- Avis and Budget Car Rental upgrades.
Suite Upgrades
Diamond members are entitled to a suite upgrade at check-in if one is available.Â
Not all hotels have suites, so this benefit varies greatly between hotels.
2 Free Tickets on Award Stays
One of my favorite elite benefits for any hotel program is that Wyndham gives two free tickets to a local experience when you redeem your points (“go free” award).Â
The free experiences will change over time, but a few examples of free tickets were for:
- Food Tours (typically $60+ per person).
- Aquarium (typically $25+ per person).
- Trolley Tours (typically $20+ per person).
- Indoor Skydiving experience (typically $75+ per person).
However, these experiences are only available in 16 U.S. cities and 12 international cities.
If Diamond members instead book a cash + points booking (“go fast” award), members receive a $10 discount on a local experience.
20% Bonus on Points
Diamond members earn a 20% points bonus when staying at Wyndham hotels and resorts, which is equivalent to 12 points per dollar.
Welcome Amenity
Diamond members receive a welcome amenity upon check-in, which is typically a drink or snack or bonus points (typically 250 points).
This benefit is available at AmericInn by Wyndham, Baymont by Wyndham, Dolce Hotels and Resorts by Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, La Quinta by Wyndham, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Ramada by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, Wingate by Wyndham, Wyndham Garden, Wyndham Grand, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
Caesars Rewards Diamond Status
One of the top perks of Wyndham Diamond status is a status match to Caesars Rewards’ Diamond status, which gives you the following benefits:
- Waived resort fees on all stays.
- Complimentary valet and self-parking.
- $100 annual celebration dinner at Caesars-owned restaurants.
- 15% off the best available rate on rooms and suites.
- A complimentary four-night stay at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas.
- Two free show tickets per month.
- Priority lines at check-in, shows, restaurants, valet, casinos, and rewards desks.
Give Gold Elite Status
Diamond members can gift Wyndham Gold elite status to someone each year by calling Wyndham Member Services.
Areas for Improvement
Wyndham’s elite status program is subpar compared with Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hilton.
The vast majority of Wyndham’s hotels are not geared for business travelers, so their elite program needs to be outstanding to encourage business travelers to utilize the program.
But Wyndham still a lot of untapped potential because they have a large number of nice hotels all around the world.
Below are our suggested changes to the elite program and the other hotel elite programs that offer the suggested benefits.
Establish Consistency in Elite Benefits
One of the biggest issues with Wyndham’s elite status program is the lack of consistency with elite benefits, especially for Diamond members.
Diamond members frequently report that hotels fail to provide suite upgrades, when suites are available, and fail to provide welcome amenities.Â
This lack of consistency could stem from the small number of Platinum and Diamond elite members compared to other elite programs, or a lack of training by Wyndham on front desk personnel.
Improve Points Bonus for Elite Members
Wyndham elite bonus on points for stays are hotels is not competitive.Â
Wyndham’s Platinum status earns only a 15% bonus on points, but comparable mid-tier levels in other programs earn a much higher rate:
- Hilton Honors Gold = 80% points bonus.
- IHG Platinum = 50% points bonus.
- Hyatt Explorist = 20% points bonus.
- Marriott Platinum = 50% points bonus.
- IHG Spire = 100% points bonus.
- Hilton Diamond = 100% points bonus.
- Hyatt Globalist = 30% points bonus.
- Marriott Titanium = 75% points bonus.
Suggestions for Gold Elite Level
Our suggestions for improvements to the Gold Elite level are:
Premium Internet– Free internet is great, but you may find the internet is not fast enough to stream video. Many hotel programs offer free premium internet for elite members.
Waived Resort Fees on Award Stays– Some hotels in vacation destinations or in large cities charge resort or destination fees. But shelling out $25-40 on these fees diminishes the excitement of using your points for a free night. It would be great if Wyndham waived these fees on award stays.
- Hyatt and Hilton offers this as a benefit to anyone who signs up for a free loyalty account.
Suggestions for Platinum Elite Level
Our suggestions for improvements to the Platinum Elite level, which include all the Gold suggested benefits, are:
Free Daily Bottle of Water–Â Bottled water can be expensive at hotels. It would be a great benefit if Platinum and Diamond members receive a free bottle each day.
- Hilton and Hyatt offer this benefit to all elite members.
- Hilton offers this benefit to all members.
Free Breakfast-Â It would be great if Wyndham offered free breakfast for their Diamond members are their upscale hotels that typically don’t offer breakfast.
- Hilton offers this as a benefit to mid and top-tier elites and Hyatt offers it to top-tier elite members.
Suggestions for Diamond Elite Level
Our suggestions for improvements to the Diamond Elite level, which include all of the Gold and Platinum suggested benefits, are:
Milestone Rewards– Wyndham previously rewarded Diamond members with 6,000 points when they reached 40 nights, but Wyndham eliminated that benefits. It would great to see members get extra points or perks when they reach 40, 50, 60, and 70 nights per year.
- Hyatt offers this as a benefit to their Explorist (mid-tier) and Globalist (top-tier) elite members.
Dedicated Concierge– A dedicated concierge to Diamond members ensures that Diamond members receive the elite benefits they deserve when staying at Wyndham hotels. They also assist with reservations and suggestions on things to do nearby.
- Hyatt and Marriott offer this to top-tier elite members.
Free Parking on Award Stays– A free stay on points should be as free as possible. Providing free parking at those hotels or resorts that charge a fee would be a great benefit to Diamond members.
- Hyatt offers this as a benefit to their top-tier elites.
- Hyatt and Marriott offer suite upgrade certificates to their top-tier members.
The Verdict
Wyndham’s elite program needs to be overhauled to deliver value to frequent travelers.
The elite program is uncompetitive compared with other elite programs.
But two nice benefits for Diamond members are the two free tickets to “experiences” and Caesars’ Rewards Diamond status.
