Wyndham Rewards Refreshes Credit Cards, Introduces Earner Premier
Wyndham Rewards and Barclays have unveiled a revamped credit card lineup, introducing new earning opportunities, more benefits, and a premium-tier card for the first time. The updated portfolio now consists of four cards ranging from a no-annual-fee option to the new Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card.
Besides the addition of the new Premier card, there are changes to the three existing credit cards as well. There are new benefits, but also negative changes and higher annual fees.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Premier Card ($395 Annual Fee)
The new card comes with a big bonus, but earning rates are not great when compared to the other cards. It does have many benefits that if maximized can offset the annual fee. So the card should definitely be worth it for the first year and then you need to weigh the value of each benefit to see if it makes sense for you. If you staying at Wyndham hotels several times a year it could make sense with the 30,000 anniversary bonus points, 25% discount on free night redemptions, free 30K night certificate annually after five eligible stays, $100 Wyndham hotel credit as well as Wholesale Club, meal delivery and streaming credits.
Welcome Bonus
- Earn up to 120,000 Wyndham Rewards points
- Earn 90,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 120 days
- Earn an additional 30,000 points after spending $750 at Hotels by Wyndham within the first 180 days
- DIRECT LINK
Earning Rates
- 8X points at Hotels by Wyndham
- 4X points on eligible dining, grocery and travel (gas, EV charging, air, car rental, rideshare, tolls and trains)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Benefits
- Wyndham Rewards Diamond status
- 25% discount on free night redemptions
- Points Payback statement credits
- 30,000 anniversary bonus points (after annual fee)
- Free night certificate annually after five eligible stays (worth up to 30,000 points)
- Complimentary Wyndham Rewards Insider membership
- $100 Wyndham hotel credit
- Up to $120 annual meal delivery credits
- Up to $100 annual streaming credits
- $65 Wholesale Membership Club Credit
- $120 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit every four years
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
- Points never expire while cardholder remains active
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card ($149 Annual Fee)
The annual fee increases from $95 to $149, but cardholders now receive some new benefits, including a 20% discount on award stays, National Emerald Club Executive status, a $65 Wholesale Membership Club credit, and a $50 annual accounting software credit. The card also expands its 5X bonus categories to include EV charging, shipping, office supply stores, and advertising purchases, though it loses the previous 5X category for utilities and gas drops from 8X to 5X.
Welcome Bonus
- Earn up to 100,000 Wyndham Rewards points
- Earn 45,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- Earn an additional 55,000 points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham within the first 180 days
- DIRECT LINK
Earning Rates
- 8X points at Hotels by Wyndham
- 5X points on gas, EV charging, marketing, advertising, office supply stores and shipping
- 1X points on all other purchases
Benefits
- Wyndham Rewards Diamond status
- 20% discount on free night redemptions
- Points Payback statement credits
- 15,000 anniversary bonus points (after annual fee)
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
- $65 Wholesale Membership Club Credit
- $50 Accounting Software Credit
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card ($95 Annual Fee)
The Earner Plus card sees a smaller annual fee increase from $75 to $95, but gains several new benefits in return. Cardholders now receive Wyndham Diamond status during the first year, a free night worth up to 15,000 points after staying five nights annually, National Emerald Club Executive status, and up to $50 in meal delivery credits. But earning rate on gas has dropped from 6X to 4X.
Welcome Bonus
- Earn up to 100,000 Wyndham Rewards points
- Earn 45,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Earn an additional 55,000 points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham within the first 180 days
- DIRECT LINK
Earning Rates
- 6X points at Hotels by Wyndham
- 4X points on eligible dining, grocery and travel (gas, EV charging, air, car rental, rideshare, tolls and trains)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Benefits
- Wyndham Rewards Diamond status for the first year, then Platinum status
- 10% discount on free night redemptions
- Points Payback statement credits
- 15,000 anniversary bonus points (after annual fee)
- Free night certificate annually after five eligible stays (worth up to 15,000 points)
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
- Up to $50 annual meal delivery credits
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card (No Annual Fee)
The no-annual-fee Earner Card receives fewer changes. Dining and grocery purchases now earn 3X points instead of 2X, but gas and EV charging has dropped from 5X to 3X. Cardholders also receive Wyndham booking discounts.
Welcome Bonus
- Earn up to 75,000 Wyndham Rewards points
- Earn 30,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Earn an additional 45,000 points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham within the first 180 days
- DIRECT LINK
Earning Rates
- 5X points at Hotels by Wyndham
- 3X points on dining, groceries, gas, and EV charging
- 1X points on all other purchases
Benefits
- Wyndham Rewards Gold status
- 10% discount on free night redemptions
- 7,500 anniversary bonus points after spending $15,000 annually
- Booking discounts at Hotels by Wyndham
What About Existing Cardholders
Wyndham shared the following information via email:
“Current cardmembers who keep their current card/benefits will not see a change in their annual fee. If they choose to apply for a new card or upgrade, when upgrades are available, they will then fall under the new card benefits and new annual fee.”
Guru’s Wrap-up
Wyndham and Barclays have launched a new premium card and refreshed all three existing cards. There are positives and negative within those changes, as well as higher annual fees.
Go through the details and let me know what you think.
