Which Wyndham Rewards credit card suits you best?

When considering major hotel chains, names like Marriott and Hilton often come to mind first. However, despite Marriott and Hilton generating higher annual revenue, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts holds the title of the largest hotel franchising company in the world, boasting over 9,100 properties across more than 95 countries on six continents.

In 2020, Wyndham and Barclays launched an updated lineup of their cobranded credit cards, introducing the no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, and the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card, the latter being the first Wyndham card tailored specifically for small businesses.

With these three unique Wyndham card options from Barclays, you may be curious which one is best suited for your needs. Here’s a breakdown of their differences to help you make an informed decision based on your spending patterns and travel objectives.

The details for the Wyndham Rewards Earner, Rewards Earner Plus, and Rewards Business Card have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information presented on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Wyndham credit cards

Wyndham Rewards Earner Card

Welcome bonus: Receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Earning rate: Earn 5 points for every dollar spent at eligible Wyndham hotels and gas stations, 2 points for dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1 point for all other purchases.

Benefits: Cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Gold status, which includes perks like free Wi-Fi, preferred room selection, and late checkout. Additionally, earn 7,500 bonus points each year after spending $15,000 on qualifying purchases. Cardholders also enjoy a 10% discount on points redemptions for free nights and incur no foreign transaction fees.

Why we like it: This no-annual-fee card is ideal for travelers who occasionally stay at Wyndham properties, offering valuable benefits during your visits. You earn 5 points per dollar at Wyndham hotels and gas stations, plus a solid 2 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart).

With standard free night awards starting at 7,500 points, the welcome offer of up to 30,000 bonus points can easily cover several hotel nights on your next trip. As of August 2024, TPG valuations estimate Wyndham Rewards points at 1.1 cents each, making this welcome bonus worth approximately $330 — a solid offer from a no-annual-fee hotel card.

If you rarely stay at Wyndham hotels but want to take advantage of Wyndham Rewards, the no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card might be perfect for you. However, if you frequently stay at Wyndham properties, you'll find significantly more value with the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card.

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $75

Earning rate: Accumulate 6 points for every dollar spent on eligible Wyndham hotel stays and gas purchases, 4 points for dining and grocery store transactions (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1 point for all other purchases.

Benefits: Cardholders are automatically granted Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, which includes all the benefits of Gold status, plus early check-in, car rental upgrades with Avis and Budget, and a Caesars Rewards status match. Additionally, cardholders receive 7,500 bonus points every anniversary year without any spending requirements.

Why we like it: For those who frequently stay at Wyndham brands such as Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites, Days Inn, and La Quinta, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card can significantly enhance your travel experience. The automatic Platinum status provides extra benefits like early check-in, car rental upgrades, and a 10% discount on point redemptions for free nights.

The welcome bonus is valued at $495 according to TPG's August 2024 valuations, and the automatic annual bonus of 7,500 points helps balance out the annual fee. Even if you only stay a few nights per year at Wyndham hotels, the enhanced elite status, better earning potential on everyday purchases, and attractive welcome offer make the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card a compelling choice.

Discover more about the card in our comprehensive review of the Wyndham Earner Plus card.

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card

Welcome bonus: Receive 45,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.

Annual fee: $95

Earning rates: Earn 8 points for every dollar spent at Hotels by Wyndham and on eligible gas purchases; 5 points per dollar on marketing, advertising, and utility expenses, and 1 point per dollar on all other transactions.

Benefits: Cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Diamond status, which includes all Platinum perks, plus suite upgrades, a welcome amenity at check-in, and the ability to grant Gold status to a friend or family member. Additionally, this card provides 15,000 points each anniversary year with no spending requirement and cellphone insurance when the card is used for your wireless bill ($50 deductible, up to $600 coverage per incident).

Why we like it: Similar to the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, the business version is ideal for travelers who stay at Wyndham hotels a few times a year or plan to. However, this card stands out due to two special features.

Small-business owners can earn 5 points per dollar on utility expenses, with a wide range of purchases qualifying as utilities. Eligible utility purchases include telecommunications, cable, satellite, electricity, gas, heating oil, and water, as defined by the merchant category code. This bonus category for household bills is quite rare.

Another unique benefit of the Earner® Business Card, compared to the personal versions, is cellphone insurance. While not exclusive, this valuable perk can reimburse you up to $600 in case of phone damage or theft. If you’re a small-business owner interested in Wyndham Rewards, this business card is certainly appealing.

Beyond these advantages, the welcome bonus is valued at $495, according to TPG's August 2024 valuations.

Discover more about the card in our detailed review of the Wyndham Earner Business card.

The information provided for the Wyndham Rewards Earner, Rewards Earner Plus, and Rewards Earner Business card has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

How to maximize your Wyndham Rewards points

The Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers numerous opportunities to earn and redeem your well-earned points. You can exchange your Wyndham Rewards points for airline tickets, gift cards, or convert them into miles with airline partners. However, the best value comes from using Wyndham points for hotel stays at over 9,100 properties around the globe.

Wyndham Rewards hotels are categorized into three straightforward free night tiers: 7,500, 15,000, and 30,000 points per night. Award nights can also be booked for Wyndham Timeshare properties. Remember, Wyndham prices its timeshares based on the number of bedrooms per night. Hence, a one-bedroom unit costs 15,000 points per night, while a two-bedroom unit will require 30,000 points per night.

You can also combine cash and points to book free nights. For instance, if a property requires 15,000 points per night but your Wyndham Rewards account has insufficient points, you can pay with 3,000 points plus a reduced cash amount for your stay. Additionally, if you're low on points, you can transfer your Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points to Wyndham Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which is a practical option for securing stays at pricier Wyndham hotels.

Wyndham's points-plus-cash awards require 1,500, 3,000, or 6,000 points along with a cash copay. The cash amount will vary based on the chosen property and is calculated as a percentage of the room rate. Moreover, all cardholders, irrespective of their Wyndham card type, receive a 10% discount when redeeming points for hotel bookings.

This effectively means you can reserve a standard free night starting at just 6,750 points. Wyndham Rewards points offer flexibility with their redemption options, though hotel stays typically provide the best value.

Which card comes out on top?

The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card is a great option if you want to avoid annual fees and are new to hotel rewards. This entry-level card features a welcome bonus of up to 30,000 points, which can cover up to four free nights at one of Wyndham's many properties. With rates starting at just 7,500 points per night, it's a remarkable value for beginners.

However, if you seek a more rewarding personal Wyndham card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card offers superior earning rates, enhanced elite status (and more benefits) along with 7,500 bonus points each anniversary for a modest $75 annual fee.

While both personal Wyndham Rewards cards are excellent options, the business card may provide the most advantages.

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card offers an impressive earning structure, with 8 points per dollar on gas purchases and a special utility bonus category that earns 5 points per dollar on essential household expenses like electricity and water bills. Coupled with top-tier Diamond elite status, 15,000 anniversary bonus points without a spending requirement, and a 10% discount on award redemptions, this business card is a powerhouse among hotel cobranded cards.

Bottom line

If you often stay at Wyndham hotel brands, these three credit cards deserve your attention. The current sign-up bonuses provide great value, allowing you to earn up to 45,000 bonus points with either the Wyndham Rewards Earner or the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business cards.

Whether you choose the personal or business option, all cards offer a valuable sign-up bonus that can be redeemed for multiple free night stays at various Wyndham properties, including Wyndham, La Quinta, Ramada, Days Inn, and others.

Besides accumulating enough points for free night rewards just from the welcome bonus, every version of the Wyndham cards features a higher points-earning structure, complimentary elite status, no foreign transaction fees, and a 10% discount when redeeming points for free nights.

However, if you seldom stay at Wyndham properties and have no plans to do so, you might want to explore other travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.