[NO LONGER AVAILABLE] Get 4x Wyndham Rewards When You Donate All Your Starpoints to Charity
Update 10/11/16 11:08am ET: Wyndham has suddenly pulled the promotion less than an hour before it was due to begin.
Update 10/11/16: Wyndham now has a page detailing this offer.
Wyndham's looking to woo award travelers to its program and away from Starwood Preferred Guest with an interesting approach. Today, if you donate all your Starpoints to charity, Wyndham will give you 4x that number of points in the Wyndham Rewards program, in addition to matching your SPG status — your new Wyndham status will be valid through 2017. This offer won't be sticking around for long, though; you only have from 12pm to 11:59pm EST today to qualify.
To participate, you need to donate your entire balance of Starpoints to a charity of your choice through SPG (options include the American Red Cross, Clean the World and UNICEF) and then send proof of your donation to wyndhamrewards.fulfillment@wyn.com. Since you can donate Starpoints in fixed increments ranging from 500 to 20,000, you may have a small number of points left over — you'll still be eligible for the promo if your balance is less than 500 points after completing your donations.
Here are the Starpoints donations you'll be able to choose from, and what the charity will receive in return:
| Points Donated | Clean the World | American Red Cross | UNICEF |
|---|---|---|---|
500 | 1 month supply of soap and hygiene education to one classroom. | N/A | Provides learning materials (e.g. rulers, erasers, pens, pencils, and books) for a child for a whole year. |
1,000 | 6 month supply of soap and critical hygiene supplies to one family. | N/A | Could provide a football that helps children learn through play. |
2,000 | N/A | $25 | N/A |
4,000 | N/A | $50 | N/A |
5,000 | 1 month supply of soap and hygiene items for a homeless shelter. | N/A | Could provide a uniform and essential gender-specific tutorials for a female student in Ethiopia to thrive. |
8,000 | N/A | $100 | N/A |
10,000 | 6 month supply of soap for a clinic serving families in extreme poverty. | N/A | Could provide training for 1,250 teachers in Burkina Faso, including HIV education curriculum. |
12,000 | N/A | $150 | N/A |
16,000 | N/A | $200 | N/A |
20,000 | 1 year of soap and hygiene education programs for an entire school. | N/A | Could pay for 10 chalkboard sets for classrooms in South Africa. |
And here's what status you can expect from a Wyndham match:
| Starwood Status | Nights Required | Matched Wyndham Status | Nights (Normally) Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Preferred | 0 | Blue | 0 |
Gold | 25 | Platinum | 15 |
Platinum | 50 | Diamond | 40 |
You need to send the following screenshots: one showing confirmation of the point donation, and one showing your SPG account activity page with a balance of fewer than 500 points after you've made the donation. There's no cap on how many points you can earn, and you should receive your Wyndham points and status match within 10 days. Also note that these donations aren't tax-deductible.
Donating points to charity is definitely admirable, but not every award traveler will want to drain their stash of Starpoints. Especially now that Marriott's acquisition of Starwood has closed, SPG members have access to an even bigger portfolio of properties, and they can receive an automatic status match with Marriott Rewards.
Since this promotion's terms specify that you need to transfer all your Starpoints to charity to qualify, you might be considering transferring some Starpoints to Marriott Rewards (at a 1:3 ratio), then back to Starwood Preferred Guest after receiving the Wyndham match. Unfortunately Wyndham is stating that you won't be eligible if you've transferred points to Marriott or other members today, so keep that in mind before donating points. (It's not clear if transfers from Marriott are eligible.)
However, if you've only accumulated a handful of Starpoints over the years and don't hold elite status with the hotel chain, you might not have much to lose — which makes the opportunity to earn 4x Wyndham points that much more appealing. In his latest valuations, TPG pegs Starpoints at 2.7 cents apiece, while Wyndham points come in at 1.2 cents each. You're getting 4x points with this promo, which ups the theoretical value to 4.8 cents for each Starpoint you donate to charity.
As an example, if you have 25,000 Starpoints and decide to leverage this unique promo, you'd get 100,000 Wyndham Rewards points — enough for six award nights since the program charges a flat rate of 15,000 points per night at all of its properties, with points left over. You can get some great value out of your points if you redeem them at in-demand Wyndham hotels such as the Shelborne Wyndham Grand South Beach or The Mills House Wyndham Grand in Charleston, South Carolina.
Bottom Line
This is definitely a unique way to court award travelers and drive business away from one of Wyndham's biggest competitors — and thanks to the 1:4 point-swapping ratio, it does offer some solid value. This opportunity won't make sense for everyone, but if you're new to the award travel game or simply aren't a Starwood (or Marriott) loyalist, it could make sense to donate whatever Starpoints you do have to earn quadruple rewards with a program that offers all award nights for just 15,000 points.
Will you be taking advantage of this promo?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.