Key takeaways
- Wyndham and Barclays refreshed their credit card portfolio in June with four distinct options ranging from no annual fee to a $395 premium card.
- The $95 Earner Plus strikes the best balance between cost and value for travelers making several Wyndham visits annually.
- The $395 Earner Premier provides $385 in annual statement credits that nearly offset the annual fee plus automatic Diamond status.
- The Earner Business targets entrepreneurs whose expenses align with 8x points at Wyndham hotels and 5x on office supplies and advertising.
Wyndham’s Four-Card Lineup Refresh
In June, Wyndham and Barclays introduced a refreshed credit card portfolio featuring four distinct cobranded options. The lineup spans from a no-annual-fee entry card for casual Wyndham visitors to a premium personal card loaded with statement credits and elite perks, plus a business-focused option for entrepreneurs whose spending patterns align with specific categories.
The key to choosing the right card lies in understanding your travel frequency, your willingness to utilize annual statement credits, and which bonus categories match your spending habits.
Understanding the Four Cards
The four cards are positioned to serve different traveler profiles:
- The Earner targets occasional guests with no annual fee
- The Earner Plus ($95) suits regular Wyndham visitors seeking strong overall value
- The Earner Premier ($395) appeals to those who can maximize annual credits
- The Earner Business serves owners whose expenses align with bonus categories
The Earner: Entry-Level Card for Casual Guests
Targeted at travelers who visit Wyndham properties once or twice annually, the Earner presents a straightforward value proposition with zero annual cost.
Welcome Bonus and Earning Structure
New cardholders receive up to 75,000 bonus points through a two-part welcome offer: 30,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, plus 45,000 additional bonus points after spending $500 at Wyndham properties within 180 days of opening.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the card earns elevated rewards on Wyndham stays alongside bonus earning on gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), and dining transactions. This structure allows cardholders to accumulate points during the months between Wyndham visits.
Cardholder Benefits
The Earner delivers automatic Gold status with Wyndham, granting preferred room selection, late checkout where available, and a 10% discount on award stays. These perks work well for infrequent guests but are intentionally leaner than those accompanying annual-fee cards.
For travelers staying with Wyndham multiple times per year, the Earner Plus offers stronger long-term value despite carrying an annual fee.
The Earner Plus: Best-Value Card for Regular Visitors
Positioned as the strongest overall value for regular Wyndham loyalists, the Earner Plus balances annual cost against recurring benefits.
Welcome Bonus and Benefits
The card delivers up to 100,000 welcome points: 45,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, plus an additional 55,000 points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham within 180 days of account opening.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Earner Plus extends bonus categories to travel, dining, and grocery purchases, meaning everyday spending accumulates points whether or not a Wyndham stay is involved.
Annual Value Proposition
Cardholders earn 15,000 bonus points each anniversary and receive Diamond status for the first year (Platinum thereafter). The card includes a free-night certificate worth up to 15,000 points, awarded after completing five or more stays in a calendar year.
Additional benefits include up to $25 in statement credits every six months toward meal delivery services and a 10% discount on award stays. For someone staying at Wyndham several times a year, the $95 annual fee is easily justified.
Compared to the no-fee Earner, the Earner Plus offers a substantially richer benefit set for a modest cost increase.
The Earner Premier: Premium Card for Maximum Benefits
The Earner Premier targets affluent travelers who can extract full value from its annual statement credits and elite perks.
Welcome Offer and Annual Fee
This card carries a $395 annual fee and delivers up to 120,000 welcome points: 90,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 120 days from account opening, plus 30,000 additional points after spending $750 at Hotels by Wyndham within 180 days of account opening.
Statement Credits and Breakeven Analysis
The Earner Premier pays for itself through consistent use of its annual statement credits, not just frequent stays. The card provides up to $120 per year for food delivery services, $100 for streaming subscriptions, $65 toward a wholesale club membership, and $100 in statement credits for spending at least $100 at Wyndham hotels.
Adding these recurring credits together yields approximately $385, nearly offsetting the $395 annual fee before any additional spending is factored in.
Maximizing the Elite Perks
Automatic Diamond status (versus Platinum or lower tiers) unlocks 25% off award stays and 30,000 anniversary points. For a cardholder staying at Wyndham even a few times per year, these benefits push the card’s total value well beyond its break-even point.
The critical caveat: these are use-it-or-lose-it credits. Skipping several months of streaming or food delivery services erodes the financial math, making the Earner Plus the smarter choice for those unable to consistently utilize the credits.
The Earner Business: Card for Business Owners
The Earner Business targets small-business owners whose operating expenses align with the card’s bonus categories.
Earning Structure and Spending Categories
The card earns 8 points per dollar at Hotels by Wyndham and 5 points per dollar on gas, electric vehicle charging, marketing, advertising, office supply stores, and shipping purchases. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar.
Business owners whose expenses center on these categories can accumulate points rapidly.
Welcome Bonus and Anniversary Benefits
The welcome offer delivers up to 100,000 points: 45,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, plus 55,000 additional points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham within 180 days of account opening.
Cardholders receive automatic Diamond status, 15,000 anniversary points, and a meaningful perk: 20% fewer points are required to redeem for free nights. An additional $65 annual wholesale club credit further enhances value for small business operators.
If your business spending does not align with these bonus categories, one of Wyndham’s personal cards likely serves you better.
Selecting the Right Wyndham Card
No single Wyndham card represents the optimal choice for all cardholders. Selection depends on three critical factors: how often you actually stay with Wyndham properties, whether you value elite status and premium perks, and whether your spending aligns with the card’s bonus categories.
For occasional visitors staying once or twice annually, the Earner’s zero annual fee makes it the logical choice. Travelers making multiple Wyndham visits per year should lean toward the Earner Plus for its balanced value. Those wealthy enough to maximize the Earner Premier’s statement credits and willing to stay several times annually benefit from the premium card’s elite perks.
Business owners should evaluate whether their operating expenses concentrate in the Earner Business’s bonus categories; if not, a personal card is preferable.
Match the annual fee to your actual stay frequency, honestly assess whether you will use statement credits and elite perks, and allow your spending patterns to guide you toward the appropriate bonus categories. When chosen correctly, any of these cards can convert routine spending into free nights at Wyndham properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the welcome bonus for the Wyndham Earner Plus?
The Earner Plus offers up to 100,000 bonus points: 45,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, plus 55,000 additional points after spending $500 at Hotels by Wyndham in the first 180 days.
Does the Wyndham Earner card have an annual fee?
No, the Wyndham Earner is a no-annual-fee card designed for occasional Wyndham guests who stay once or twice per year.
What statement credits does the Earner Premier provide?
The Earner Premier offers up to $120 per year for food delivery, $100 for streaming, $65 toward a wholesale club membership, and $100 in statement credits for spending at least $100 at Wyndham hotels.
