Wyndham Rewards Moves to 4-Tier Award Chart, Raising Top Rates
Wyndham Rewards is introducing a significant restructuring of its loyalty program's award chart. Starting September 15, 2026, the hotel group will transition from its long-standing three-tier fixed redemption system to a new four-tier system. While some budget-friendly properties will become more accessible, the introduction of a new premium tier will raise rates for high-end hotels.
The New Four-Tier Structure
Since 2019, Wyndham Rewards has maintained a simple, three-tier fixed award chart. This structure has made the program highly predictable and valuable for award travelers. However, the upcoming changes will redistribute hotels across four distinct pricing levels: 5,000, 15,000, 30,000, and 45,000 points per night.
Here is how the award tiers are changing:
| Award Tier (Until Sept. 14, 2026) | New Award Tier (Starting Sept. 15, 2026) | Redemption Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 7,500 points | 5,000 points | Rate decrease for selected budget hotels |
| 15,000 points | 15,000 points | Bulk of mid-tier properties remain unchanged |
| 30,000 points | 30,000 points | Most upscale properties remain unchanged |
| — | 45,000 points | New premium tier for elevated and luxury properties |
According to a Wyndham Rewards spokesperson, the new 45,000-point tier is reserved for a "small number of our most elevated hotels." The brand noted that this change reflects the growth of its portfolio, which has added hundreds of luxury, lifestyle, and all-inclusive hotels since the three-tier chart was introduced.
Refund Policies and Booking Strategy
Travelers have several months of notice before the new rates take effect on September 15. Because Wyndham allows award bookings up to a year in advance—and most points bookings are fully refundable until shortly before the stay—card users can lock in speculative reservations now.
Crucially, Wyndham will honor all reservations made before September 15 at their current points rates, even if the property shifts to a higher tier. Conversely, if you book a property that drops to a lower tier (such as from the old 7,500-point tier to the new 5,000-point tier), Wyndham will automatically refund the difference in points after the transition date.
What This Means for Members
This update is a mixed bag. For members targeting entry-level properties, the drop to 5,000 points per night offers an improved value proposition. However, for those seeking to maximize their points at Wyndham’s top-tier luxury and all-inclusive resorts, the new 45,000-point tier represents a notable redemption rate increase.