Wyndham Award Chart Changes
Well, we didn't have a Wyndham Rewards devaluation on our 2026 bingo card. But perhaps, in retrospect, we should've seen it coming. Today, Wyndham award chart changes were announced that will expand the program's fixed free night pricing from three to four tiers. The fourth tier will cost 45,000 points per nigh, a 50% increase from the current 30,000-point high. We've seen many of these kinds of changes before. They're in the same style of another earth-rumbling devaluation from a certain hotel program earlier this year. Let's unpack them.
What's Changing On The Award Chart?
Wyndham's current award chart maxes out at 30,000 points per free night. Beginning Sept. 15, 2026, the program will adjust its three-tiered chart to introduce a fourth level, maxing out at 45,000 points per free night. On the other end of the chart, it will decrease its current 7,500-point bottom tier to 5,000 points per night. We don't yet know which hotels will move to where on the chart. But hotels will be redistributed across all levels, with only a “small number of (its) most elevated” properties moving to the 45,000-point level, according to the press release. Sound familiar? Here's how the chart will change:
| Free Night Costs – Current Chart | Free Night Costs – Starting Sept. 15, 2026, |
| 7,500 points | 5,000 points |
| 15,000 points | 15,000 points |
| 30,000 points | 30,000 point |
| N/A | 45,000 points |
While the increased pricing tier stings, Wyndham says this does not represent an overhaul of its rewards program. The fixed, non-dynamic pricing structure will otherwise stick. Its straightforward pricing system will stay intact. That means Wyndham remains the major outlier of the big hotel groups by not adjusting prices by season or demand.
Bookings made in advance of the Sept. 15 rollout—even if the stay falls after that date—will be honored at today's rate. If a booking made pre-devaluation drops in price afterward, the points difference will be automatically returned to the customer. This also echoes what we saw earlier this spring with Hyatt bookings that dropped in price. You can read Wyndham's full FAQ about the upcoming changes here.
Why This Timing Makes Sense
We've said it often on the blog this year: Wyndham is having a bit of a moment. It was recently added as a new transfer partner for not one, or even two, but three rewards programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Wells Fargo. (It is also a partner of Capital One and Citi.) Its co-branded credit cards just got a big revamp—there's even a new premium card. And then, of course, there's Hyatt. Longtime fans who have been disenchanted by that program's big changes this year have their eyes wandering toward other programs. There's power in being a free agent right now. And Wyndham can bring some strong value, particularly abroad. (You can also find some sweet spots domestically, if you know where to look.)
From Wyndham's perspective, these changes are overdue. “Our program has evolved significantly since we first introduced three fixed redemption tiers,” it says in today's a prepared statement. “In that time, we’ve added hundreds of luxury, lifestyle, and all-inclusive hotels. These changes reflect that growth while staying true to what we know members value most.” But of course, we all know what Wyndham fans value most: value itself. Let's hope the program is true to its word and limits the amount of 45,000-point nights it unveils.
How Will This Impact Value?
While we don't often recommend buying points, the Wyndham Rewards program is one of the better exceptions. You can often purchase Wyndham Rewards points for $0.007 each during points sales. When the price of points is cheaper than the cash cost of a room, it's a no-brainer. If you look at the top-tier price increase of the most expensive free nights—a 15,000-point increase for the 45,000-point redemptions—that equates to a roughly $105 increase. This can add up quickly across multiple nights, but it is not as painful as some other devaluations we've seen.
Cardholders will also fare better here. Depending which card you hold, you can get a 10%, 20% or 25% discount on award nights. This can quickly chip away at the cost of those new 45,000-point nights. A traveler who holds the Earner Premier Card will get an 11,250-point discount on those top-tier nights. It's a continuation of a growing trend we're seeing in the industry: Cardholders unlock access to the best pricing and perks, while others get left behind.
Wyndham Award Chart Changes: ToP Thoughts
Anyone else have devaluation fatigue yet? In 2026, the hits keep coming. But while it hurts to imagine Wyndham stays that will soon cost 45,000 points per night, the Wyndham award chart changes are admittedly not as bad as they could have been. With as much attention the program has gotten this year, it's not entirely shocking to see award pricing increases for the more sought-after properties. At least the Wyndham Rewards program retains its fixed-price chart—for now. Meanwhile, the Wyndham co-branded cards arguably just got more enticing, too. What are your thoughts on this devaluation? Tell us over in the ToP Facebook Group.
