Wyndham Enters the Premium Credit Card Market

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, primarily known for budget hotel brands such as Days Inn and Super 8, has launched its first premium travel credit card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card. The card carries an annual fee of $395, marking Wyndham’s initial foray into the upscale credit card segment.

Wyndham’s Position in the Hotel Industry

As the world’s largest hotel franchisor, Wyndham operates approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 95 countries. Its portfolio predominantly targets the economy and midscale market segments, which contrasts with premium hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton. These competitors offer cobranded credit cards issued by Chase and American Express, respectively.

Expert Opinions on Wyndham’s New Card

Brian Riley, Director of Credit at Javelin Strategy & Research, commented on the launch, noting that while Barclays’ introduction of a premium Wyndham card is significant, it likely will not supplant the Marriott or Hilton cards. He also observed that the $395 annual fee may appear high given Wyndham’s market positioning.

Features and Benefits of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card

To justify the high annual fee, the Earner Premier Card offers a considerable welcome bonus. Cardholders can earn up to 90,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first three months, a spending requirement higher than many comparable travel cards.

Additionally, an extra 30,000 points can be earned after spending $750 specifically on Wyndham hotel stays. The card includes valuable perks such as a TSA PreCheck credit, warehouse club membership, and dining credits.

Updates to Wyndham’s Cobranded Credit Card Portfolio

This premium card launch coincides with a significant revamp of Wyndham’s entire cobranded credit card suite. Key updates include:

  • Increased earning rates across cards
  • New statement credits
  • Enhanced discounts on reward bookings

Specifically, the business version of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card will see its annual fee rise from $95 to $149. The Earner Plus card’s fee will increase from $75 to $95. Both cards will offer eight times points on Wyndham hotel stays. The no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner card remains unchanged.

These updates follow the debut of Wyndham’s rewards debit card last year, which targets younger travelers.

Key Takeaways

  • Wyndham has launched its first premium travel credit card with a $395 annual fee.
  • The card offers up to 120,000 bonus points with qualifying spend requirements.
  • New perks include TSA PreCheck credit, warehouse club membership, and dining credits.
  • Wyndham’s cobranded credit card program has been revamped with higher fees and improved benefits.
  • The move positions Wyndham alongside premium hotel loyalty programs but may not displace established competitors.