Wyndham Sneakily Cuts Earning Rates On Credit Cards

Earlier today we posted about mostly positive changes that were being made to the Wyndham Barclaycard. This information was provided by their media team, usually when we receive this information we get the full landing page with the terms of the offer and changes. In this case we only received information surrounding the positive changes to this card (e.g no foreign transaction fees and elite status). We picked up on the fact that the annual fee was being increased from $69 to $75, but what we missed out on was the fact that the earning rates on this card was also being changed.

Previously both cards earned “2 points per $1 spent on purchases everywhere else”. Now both cards earn “Earn 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, utility and grocery store purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®)”. You can still find the old earning rate on this landing page (and it also offers a larger bonus of 45,000 points instead of only 30,000 points).

At this stage I’m unsure if existing cardholders will be grandfathered into the old earning rate (and annual fee) with the new status benefits or not. To say I’m not happy with Wyndham is an understatement, I’d also like to apologize for missing the change to the earnings structure as well. Thanks to our loyal readers for pointing out this change to me.

The reason that this matters is because all Wyndham properties only cost 15,000 points, previously it was possible to spend $7,500 anywhere and get a free night at any Wyndham property. The annual fee card also came with 6,000 annual anniversary points, so in this case the spend required was reduced to only $4,500.

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Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon (@guest_305306)
October 10, 2016 18:25

Verified with Barclay rep today that if you have this card under the old rule system ($69 annual fee) you’ll still get 2 points/$ even though the renewal fee will be $75. This should continue as long as you have the card.

Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon (@guest_305028)
October 9, 2016 20:43

I noticed this when I was updating my spreadsheet for my new Wyndham card (I had the no-fee version and just got the annual fee version). I thought it was pretty chintzy, but it ultimately doesn’t affect me since I only use the card for Wyndham hotels, so all I really care about is the 5 points/$. It’s a real disapointment for everyone else though.

Bodiddely
Bodiddely (@guest_304773)
October 8, 2016 15:00

If I apply with the link listing the old earnings rate, it’s pretty much guaranteed to maintain that earning rate for a year, right? Similar to how Citi gave a year+ notice to the Prestige devaluation?

will s
will s (@guest_304696)
October 8, 2016 06:08

I too am miffed by this apparent change, and I’m feeling a tad guilty too. as back on May 12th, I wrote to Noah Brodsky (VP at Wyndham) sending my compliments to him for the recent changes to the WR program, my plans to stay much more with Wyndham, etc. And we have already. We enjoyed a nice all-inclusive stay at Wyndham’s Viva Maya on the Mexican Riviera back in (blistering hot) August — even with the heat, miserable internet, a great value at 15k — and we actually liked it better in many respects than the Cancun Zilara same trip — especially on quality of beach issues.

Alas, I also specifically suggested to Mr. Brodsky that they consider including automatic status for those of us who have their WR/credit cards…. (like competitors) Got a nice personal note back from his assistant, thanking me for the suggestion — and noting that they were seriously considering such a modification.

Alas, if they’ve now changed the earnings structure for everyday spend even for existing cardholders, that indeed is a major negative…. and as a result, I’ll likely restrain my spending plans on the card….. Hope we’re wrong in this concern. Otherwise, I feel like I helped kill the golden goose. (e.g., ruined a good thing)

will s

PS: I did recently get the 15k the day after paying the annual fee on the signature card. (at one year) That was nice — as is the current double points promo through Dec. on Gas, Grocery, & Restaurant spends — bringing it to 4 pts/$.. I’d be happier though if my everyday spend was still rewarded at 2 pts/$

Paul
Paul (@guest_304734)
October 8, 2016 10:39

You murderer!
j/k

Carlos
Carlos (@guest_304642)
October 7, 2016 23:09

Am I understand correctly that I cannot down grade to no fee card?

bob
bob (@guest_304638)
October 7, 2016 22:38

i recently dumped the AF version got the free version (not eligible for PC, so got the bonus, too!).

i think this means the Opinion Rewards surveys might be a better earning option than, say, NW Buxx or some other MS.

The best redemptions w/ Wyndham are the $35+3000 points options, usually. Most of their properties aren’t worth 15K points.

jnrfalcon
jnrfalcon (@guest_304636)
October 7, 2016 22:20

http://disq.us/p/1clol0v
Found this from TPG. So yes they will grandfather you if you keep all the old terms and benefits… T.T

Beach Miles
Beach Miles (@guest_304840)
October 8, 2016 22:10

I want it all. Platinum status and 2% on everything.

jnrfalcon
jnrfalcon (@guest_304632)
October 7, 2016 22:09

That cut a lot… I hope they grandfather me since I got the 15k annual renewal offer. But what I think is they may only grandfather my renewal offer and change everything else… Hope not…

Stvr
Stvr (@guest_304631)
October 7, 2016 22:07

They played you. One day you’re Edward Snowden and the next day you’re Judith Miller

will
will (@guest_304688)
October 8, 2016 05:17

even with commiserations for william, stvr, that’s just a brilliant observation.

Too many (most) forget Judith Miller and her even more insidious side-kick Laurie Mylroie as crass hired guns for the darkest corners of “the lobby” — in getting the US hooked around their lobby fed b.s. about Iraq having nuclear weapons (even as they’d been shills for the same the previous decade about “a new Iraq” — re. Iran)….

good though that William retains his independence, and can call attention to the spade here. I too am really irritated about this change to my Wyndham card…. really mad, actually.

Nick
Nick (@guest_304616)
October 7, 2016 21:38

Dirty, just like their hotels. I will pass.

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_304676)
October 8, 2016 03:32

Choice is more dirty. Like dirty hairy smelly balls with crust…