Wyndham to launch industry-first rewards debit card
The latest card offering from Wyndham Rewards isn't quite what we're used to seeing from a loyalty program.
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card launched Monday, making Wyndham Rewards the first major loyalty program in the industry to offer debit in its suite of rewards cards.
Wyndham Rewards' new debit card provides an option for those who want to earn points and receive benefits with the program but don't want to add a hard pull to their credit report or a credit card to their wallet. You won't need a credit score to obtain it.
However, it's important to note that you'll find higher earning rates and more perks within its suite of cobranded credit cards — the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card.
Charmaine Taylor, senior vice president of strategic and financial partnerships at Wyndham, said she expects the debit card to fit into the brand's broader suite as the choice for anyone who wants to avoid debt, as well as certain millennial and Generation Z travelers.
"We see our debit card less as an entry point but more as a complementary addition to our larger card portfolio, signaling that now anyone and everyone can earn points," Taylor said.
Here's what to know about the new Wyndham Rewards Debit Card.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card to Wyndham credit cards
Taylor said she sees the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card as a complement to the loyalty program's three credit cards. She emphasized Wyndham's philosophy of having "a product offering for everyone," which includes debit and credit spenders alike.
Here's a deeper comparison between the debit card and Wyndham's more lucrative credit card offerings:
| Card name | Wyndham Rewards Debit Card | Wyndham Rewards Earner Card | Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card | Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Relevant fees | $6 monthly fee (waived if you maintain an average monthly account balance of $2,500) | $0 | $75 | $95 |
Welcome bonus | Earn 2,500 bonus points after making at least two direct deposits and spending $100 in the first 90 days after account opening. | Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. | Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. | Earn up to 75,000 bonus points — 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days, plus an additional 25,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first 365 days. |
Elite status | Wyndham Gold | Wyndham Gold | Wyndham Platinum | Wyndham Diamond |
Earning rates |
|
|
|
|
Annual points bonus |
| Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year if you spend at least $15,000 on eligible purchases. | Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year. | Earn 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year. |
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card was developed in collaboration with Galileo Financial Technologies, the technology platform of SoFi. The card is issued by Sunrise Banks and backed by the Mastercard payment network.
Because the card is backed by Mastercard, you won't have to pay ATM fees when you use a Mastercard-backed ATM. (Find your nearest ATM here.)
Related: Which Wyndham Rewards credit card is right for you?
Who is the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card for?
Taylor said Wyndham Rewards is looking to tap into the market of frequent debit card users and young travel-minded people, two demographics she sees aligning.
"Despite the size of this market, there are very few rewards programs that actually have a debit card as part of their portfolio," Taylor said. "It's a missed opportunity, particularly in travel and hospitality, because these debit card holders are overlooked for a traditional rewards program."
Still, you're going to receive much more value from a Wyndham credit card. Even the no-annual-fee Wyndham Earner Card comes with significantly higher points-earning rates than this debit card.
Difference between debit cards and secured credit cards
It's important to know the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card does not work the same as a secured credit card.
A secured credit card is often a good option for those with poor or no credit to build a positive history and improve their credit score.
A debit card is independent of credit and instead pulls money from a checking account.
More cobranded debit cards to come?
While Wyndham is the first to add a debit card to its rewards ecosystem, Taylor said she expects other brands to weigh the benefits of expanding their portfolio.
"We have seized the opportunity within the travel and hospitality space, being the first here, because of the market and how we are seeing our travelers use and spend their time," Taylor said. "I would not be surprised if we start to see some competitors — after our announcement — start to consider and go after this market as well."
Related: Which credit card should you use for Wyndham stays?
Bottom line
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card is a first-of-its-kind card offering from a major loyalty brand, giving cardholders the opportunity to earn points and perks within Wyndham Rewards while spending cash.
However, you'll generally receive a much better return on your spending if you go ahead and opt for a credit card within the Wyndham Rewards program instead. Plus, as long as you use your card responsibly and abide by TPG's 10 commandments of credit card rewards, you should be good to go with a credit card.
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| 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. |
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| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Cons
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.