Wyndham Sweet Spots: Maximize Your Points During Peak Travel Times

Wyndham is one of the few hotel programs that doesn't change award pricing based on demand.
Ramsey Qubein
By Ramsey Qubein 
Updated

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

MORE LIKE THISTravel

Wyndham Rewards offers some darling deals if you know where to look. But since the program isn’t as top of mind as other big hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, it can sometimes fly under the radar.

It’s easy to earn Wyndham points from hotel or vacation club stays, but if your travel patterns don’t take you to those properties often, there are other ways to rack them up. Here are some of the top deals for redeeming your Wyndham Rewards points.

Domestic sweet spots

Majestic Hotel South Beach, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 15,000.

If being in world-famous South Beach in Miami is your goal, this hotel is in the mid-tier category, going for 15,000 points per night. Situated along Ocean Drive, it’s easy to enjoy the bustling shopping, dining and bar scene on this Art Deco strip. It’s also a good deal: On some nights, the cash price of a room can run upwards of $500.

Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 30,000.

If you’d rather save your cash for luaus, tours or spa services during your Hawaiian vacation, this hotel in Maui, which goes for 30,000 points per night, is a great value.

While its price in points is at the highest award tier, it can still save you money when compared with the high rates charged at other properties at this popular vacation destination. On some nights, a room here can cost nearly $400.

The New Yorker, A Wyndham Hotel

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 30,000.

New York is known for sky-high hotel rates many times throughout the year, especially during holiday periods. This 8th Avenue hotel in Manhattan allows travelers to skirt the high prices and redeem 30,000 points instead. Of course, when rates are lower, it can be better to pay cash, but when rates climb, points are your friend.

For example, a night here over New Year’s Eve may cost you more than $700 plus tax.

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Resort

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 30,000.

This Wyndham property on Clearwater Beach in Florida, frequently called one of the best beaches in the country, is available for 30,000 points per night.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Especially during the high-season summer months, Wyndham’s static award chart can represent a great value when compared to other hotel brands' dynamic pricing models.

Even in the winter, nightly rates here climb past $600 and can make using points a steal.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 30,000.

Representing Wyndham’s growing collection of luxury hotels — designed to appeal to meeting groups as well as vacationing families — this sprawling property in Puerto Rico is often much cheaper using points than other island resorts.

For 30,000 points per night, travelers can enjoy a beachfront location next to El Yunque National Forest, great for those who want to get out and explore nature. The resort’s three swimming pools and spa only add to the fun. Using points can be a great deal, especially when rates can climb to $800 per night during holiday periods.

International Wyndham Rewards sweet spots

Ramada by Wyndham Udaipur Resort and Spa

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 15,000.

Instead of staying in luxurious — but expensive — hotel brands like Taj and Oberoi when visiting Udaipur, this Wyndham property represents a true bargain at only 15,000 points per night. Cash rates here still aren’t as pricey as the competition, but using points to cover the average $175 per night cost can help you save your cash for local tours.

Days Inn by Wyndham Ao Nang Beach Krabi

Points needed per night: 7,500.

When you’re visiting a tropical beach destination in Thailand, you’re probably more interested in the scenery outdoors than inside your room. That’s why this basic-yet-modern hotel in Krabi makes our list of bargains, especially given its location along Ao Nang Beach.

A one-night redemption here is only 7,500 points and provides ultimate value, especially when cash rates can be over $200 per night.

TRYP by Wyndham Mexico City World Trade Center Area

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 7,500.

If you have business in the area or want a hotel that’s closer to the airport — which can be helpful in Mexico City's thick traffic — this hotel is a bargain at 7,500 points per night. But it’s important to note that cash rates here aren’t that high either: Rooms can be had for under $100 a night.

Still, using points can represent value, and this corporate-focused hotel offers modern digs at a low price either way you slice it.

Dolce by Wyndham CampoReal Lisboa

(Photo courtesy of Wyndham)

Points needed per night: 15,000.

The countryside outside of Lisbon, Portugal, features rolling hills, golf courses, wineries and lovely resorts. Many of these properties can cost an arm and a leg, but not so if you’re using Wyndham Rewards. This resort, about a half hour from Lisbon, is available for 15,000 points per night, which is better than forking over cash for rates that can sometimes reach $533 (488 euros) on certain nights.

Keep in mind, however, that it’s always best to check the rates first to see if you can get a better deal by paying in cash or points.

What else you need to know

Where are Wyndham hotels?

Wyndham’s more than 9,000 hotels encompass two dozen brands and are located in approximately 95 countries. And its rewards program can deliver excellent value when you use your points wisely. From Hawaii to Europe and from luxury to budget, Wyndham Rewards has options for every type of traveler.

How to earn Wyndham Rewards points

When staying at a Wyndham hotel or vacation club property, you earn 10 points per dollar spent or 1,000 points, whichever is greater. Aside from staying at one of Wyndham’s many properties, you can earn points by spending on a Wyndham Rewards co-branded credit card. These include the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card ($75 annual fee) and the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card ($0 annual fee). Both of these cards come with a signup bonus that will instantly boost your Rewards point balance.

There’s also a business credit card, the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Credit Card, that offers value for those with their own business. It comes with perks like 8x points earned at gas stations — one of the few credit cards to offer such a bonus when spending on fuel.

If you have a credit card with transferable points like Citi ThankYou Rewards or Capital One Miles, you can move them at a 1:1 ratio to Wyndham Rewards (though not all Citi cards are eligible for this rate). This is a great way to top up your Wyndham Rewards account without having to keep points in the program until you’re ready to use them.

How to redeem Wyndham Rewards points

On Wyndham stays

Wyndham maintains an easy-to-understand, three-tiered award chart where the redemption levels start at 7,500 points, rise to 15,000 for mid-tier redemptions and max out at 30,000 points per night. To instead get a discount on the cash price — or if don’t have enough points for a reward night — you can also pay with a combination of points and cash at a reduced threshold of 1,500, 3,000 or 6,000 points per night, respectively.

To determine how many points you need, search the Wyndham website and indicate that you’re using points. Your search results will give details on using points or paying with points and cash, if available.

Vacasa and Caesars

Points can be used for hotels and vacation club properties directly on the Wyndham website or for vacation rentals booked through Vacasa. Vacasa rentals cost 15,000 points per bedroom per night. Members can also earn and redeem points at more than 30 Caesars Rewards properties.

Wyndham Rewards sweet spots, recapped

These are just a few of the solid deals offered by the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program, but you’ll always want to compare the cash rate with the points redemption. On some nights, the value can be exceptional, but on others, it may be better to save your points for another time and pay in cash.

One thing is for sure: Wyndham Rewards offers a wide range of hotels and vacation properties, all of which are available using the program’s popular points system.


How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Hotel Cards from Our Partners
IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card

on Chase's website

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-26x

Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

165,000

Earn 165,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
World Of Hyatt Credit Card

on Chase's website

World of Hyatt Credit Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-9x

Earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt – 4 Bonus Points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships.

Points

Intro offer

30,000

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Points
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

on Chase's website

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
4.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-17x

Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

250,000

Limited time offer! Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

Points
See more hotel cards
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.