Above average rewards rate for regular purchases
Unlike most hotel cards, the standout feature on the Wyndham Rewards Visa card isn’t the 3 points earned per dollar spent when booking at a Wyndham property. What sets this card apart from most other hotel cards is the card’s 2 points per dollar spent on everyday purchases, which is substantially more generous than many of its competitors.
Most rewards cards, for example, offer bonus points on a chosen category such as hotel stays, but offer only one point per dollar spent on everyday purchases. The Wyndham Rewards card, by contrast, offers three points for every dollar spent on Wyndham hotels and two points per dollar spent on everything else.
If Wyndham points were worth as much as the average credit card rewards point, its generous rewards rate would put the Wyndham card near the top of the pack for rewards credit cards.
Below average rewards value
Unfortunately, Wyndham points are typically worth just a fraction of the average credit card rewards point if you redeem your points for a standard room at a non-luxury hotel, so its rewards offer isn’t nearly as generous as it seems. Most credit card rewards points are each worth at least a penny.
You may be able to get more value out of your rewards points, though, if you redeem your points for stays in pricier cities, such as New York City or San Francisco, or if you choose a luxury hotel. Wyndham charges the same flat rate for every rewards-funded hotel stay, so a standard room that typically costs $200 a night will give you a lot more value than a room that costs $80 a night.
Flat redemption rate for every Wyndham hotel
Wyndham’s simple redemption structure is, by far, this card’s most appealing feature. Wyndham sets itself apart from other hotel rewards programs by charging a flat number of points – 15,000 per night – for any standard hotel room, no matter what type of hotel you choose. So if you opt to stay in a luxury hotel or if you plan to stay in an expensive city, you could get substantially more value out of your rewards.
If you plan to stay at a lower cost hotel, you may be better off redeeming just part of your rewards. Wyndham gives cardholders the option of paying for part of a hotel stay with 3,000 points – a roughly $20 discount.
Modest sign-up bonus
As a reward for signing up, the Wyndham card offers 15,000 bonus points – the equivalent of one free night at a hotel. The bonus is significantly less generous than many competitors offer. Some no annual fee hotel cards, for example, offer bonuses worth up to $300 or more. But if you choose your hotel wisely, you could get some respectable value out of the reward.
Huge network
Wyndham operates roughly 7,800 hotels and resorts in 72 cities. Brands that fall under the Wyndham umbrella include Tryp, Wingate, Hawthorn, Microtel, Ramada, Baymont, Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Knights Inn.
Reasons to get it:
- You want a card with an extensive hotel network.
- You want a card with a simple rewards structure.
- You plan to redeem your rewards for a pricier room in an expensive city or at a luxury hotel.
How to use it:
- Look for Wyndham-brand hotels when you travel and use your card to book your reservation.
- Supplement your rewards earnings by using your card for everyday purchases.
- Be choosy about how you redeem your rewards. You’ll get more value out of your rewards if you use them to book a pricier standard hotel room.
- If you plan to stay at a budget hotel, consider paying for your visit with partial points.
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