Wyndham Hotel sign

Wyndham Rewards has unveiled plans to expand its program across one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, Wyndham Worldwide, starting with the immediate addition of more than 17,000 condos and homes to the program’s nearly 8,000 hotel redemption portfolio.

The company says the move is an industry-first “both in terms of scale and global impact”.

With more than 120,000 properties across 100 countries spanning hotels, vacation ownership and professionally managed vacation rentals, Wyndham Worldwide says it offers travellers “something no other provider can: the opportunity to experience travel the way they want regardless of location or type of accommodation”.

Now, Wyndham Rewards members can enjoy the unique and authentic vacation experience that comes from staying in a private accommodation – from a stone cottage nestled near Bordeaux & Toulouse in France; to a slope-side retreat in Park City, Utah; to an architectural dream home in Palm Springs, Calif.

“Hotel goers have long been rewarded for their loyalty, it’s time for guests of vacation ownership and vacation rentals to be rewarded too,” said Wyndham Rewards head of loyalty, Noah Brodsky.

“We’re changing the game and doing so with unprecedented scale. Wyndham Worldwide is like no other hospitality company in the world, and with this expansion, we’re complementing our hotel portfolio by giving members access to some of our most aspirational vacation ownership and vacation rental properties.”

Starting today, Wyndham Rewards members can choose from 25,000 hotels, condos and homes around the world. A free night at any Wyndham Rewards hotel can be redeemed for just 15,000 points, while a free night across the new 17,000 options in the portfolio can be redeemed for just 15,000 points per bedroom, per night.

“This is a monumental, industry-defining shift for Wyndham Rewards,” Brodsky said. “We know our members stay longer and they spend more. And now, with more redemption options than five of our biggest competitors combined, we’re opening a world of new experiences for members, giving them the ability to travel where and how they want based on their individual needs.

“This is about unlocking the full potential of Wyndham Rewards while providing unparalleled value to our members, owners, and partners alike.”

Over the course of the next two years, Wyndham Rewards will continue adding properties from the Wyndham Worldwide portfolio while also incorporating the ability for members to earn points on condo and home stays. The ability to earn points on stays is expected to be available as early as summer of 2017 on the initial 17,000 condos and homes and new options will be gradually added as new properties come online. The program anticipates integration across the majority of Wyndham Worldwide’s hotel, vacation ownership and vacation rental portfolio by the end of 2018.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management