Wyndham Rewards - International redemption process confusion

Last fall I was able to do searches for WR hotels by points in Argentina. I was in fact considering booking the HJ in Jujuy for 25k points for 1 night, but my travel plans changed so Jujuy was no longer the right city for me. Anyway, from this eperience I know it was possible back then (at least far as the search results page).

But now, when I try to book online at wyndhamrewards.com using points for properties in Argentina, it pops up a yellow box that say I can only book them on wyndhamrewards.com (that's where i am!) or by calling a toll-free number. I thus can't even look up which hotels are available on points on a particular date online any more (and have to use the separate redemption points list, rather than a redemption search, to figure out how many points a night at a paritcular hotel is).

So I looked up the T&Cs, and I see even scarier stuff there:

https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/terms.action

C. Free Night Rewards for Participating Hotels outside the United States or Canada


Members can redeem points for an International Free Night stay at Days Inn®, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham®, Howard Johnson®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, Ramada®, Super 8® and Wingate® by Wyndham Participating Hotels outside the United States and Canada (excluding Corinthia associated hotels in Malta operating under a franchise or management agreement with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC or one of its affiliates). (International Free Night Reward).
The Member must book his/her hotel reservation and redeem for an International Free Night Reward by contacting Wyndham Rewards Member Services at 1.866.996.7937. International Free Night Reward reservations must be made at least 24 hours before desired stay.
Rooms are subject to availability and certain arrival and departure restrictions may apply. There may be a limited number of rooms available during peak periods or special events.
The number of points needed to redeem for an International Free Night Reward will vary by hotel.
The International Free Night Reward will entitle the Member to one (1) free night at the international Participating Hotel requested. The Member will be responsible for paying for additional nights not covered by the International Free Night Reward.
An International Free Night Reward is valid only for the room rate for one (1) single or double standard hotel room (up to 2 people allowed), including VAT or local taxes.
The International Free Night Reward may not be combined with any other coupon, offer or special promotion.
A major credit card must be provided at the time of reservation and at check-in.
In the event a Member fails to timely cancel a reservation in accordance with the local hotel's cancellation policy and/or fails to arrive at the hotel on the reserved arrival date, the International Free Night Reward will be forfeited.
Members will not accrue Wyndham Rewards points, airline miles or rail points for any stays using an International Free Night Reward.
Paper certificates will not be issued for International Free Night Rewards

Look at the sections I highlighted in red.

The first one claims that redemptions are only possible by calling. Why and when did they get rid of online redemptions?

The second one implies that maybe you can't do multi-night redemptions at all? What's up with this? I've been saving points specifically for foreign multi-night redemptions (no, not ready to book yet), but is that option gone? :(

Last fall I was able to do searches for WR hotels by points in Argentina. I was in fact considering booking the HJ in Jujuy for 25k points for 1 night, but my travel plans changed so Jujuy was no longer the right city for me. Anyway, from this eperience I know it was possible back then (at least far as the search results page).

But now, when I try to book online at wyndhamrewards.com using points for properties in Argentina, it pops up a yellow box that say I can only book them on wyndhamrewards.com (that's where i am!) or by calling a toll-free number. I thus can't even look up which hotels are available on points on a particular date online any more (and have to use the separate redemption points list, rather than a redemption search, to figure out how many points a night at a paritcular hotel is).

So I looked up the T&Cs, and I see even scarier stuff there:

https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/terms.action

C. Free Night Rewards for Participating Hotels outside the United States or Canada


Members can redeem points for an International Free Night stay at Days Inn®, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham®, Howard Johnson®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, Ramada®, Super 8® and Wingate® by Wyndham Participating Hotels outside the United States and Canada (excluding Corinthia associated hotels in Malta operating under a franchise or management agreement with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC or one of its affiliates). (International Free Night Reward).
The Member must book his/her hotel reservation and redeem for an International Free Night Reward by contacting Wyndham Rewards Member Services at 1.866.996.7937. International Free Night Reward reservations must be made at least 24 hours before desired stay.
Rooms are subject to availability and certain arrival and departure restrictions may apply. There may be a limited number of rooms available during peak periods or special events.
The number of points needed to redeem for an International Free Night Reward will vary by hotel.
The International Free Night Reward will entitle the Member to one (1) free night at the international Participating Hotel requested. The Member will be responsible for paying for additional nights not covered by the International Free Night Reward.
An International Free Night Reward is valid only for the room rate for one (1) single or double standard hotel room (up to 2 people allowed), including VAT or local taxes.
The International Free Night Reward may not be combined with any other coupon, offer or special promotion.
A major credit card must be provided at the time of reservation and at check-in.
In the event a Member fails to timely cancel a reservation in accordance with the local hotel's cancellation policy and/or fails to arrive at the hotel on the reserved arrival date, the International Free Night Reward will be forfeited.
Members will not accrue Wyndham Rewards points, airline miles or rail points for any stays using an International Free Night Reward.
Paper certificates will not be issued for International Free Night Rewards

Look at the sections I highlighted in red.

The first one claims that redemptions are only possible by calling. Why and when did they get rid of online redemptions?

The second one implies that maybe you can't do multi-night redemptions at all? What's up with this? I've been saving points specifically for foreign multi-night redemptions (no, not ready to book yet), but is that option gone? :(

There should be no concern about the second item you highlighted as in practice each night can be covered as a separate award so as to cover any consecutive night. Multi-night redemptions are allowed.

Last fall I was able to do searches for WR hotels by points in Argentina. I was in fact considering booking the HJ in Jujuy for 25k points for 1 night, but my travel plans changed so Jujuy was no longer the right city for me. Anyway, from this eperience I know it was possible back then (at least far as the search results page).

But now, when I try to book online at wyndhamrewards.com using points for properties in Argentina, it pops up a yellow box that say I can only book them on wyndhamrewards.com (that's where i am!) or by calling a toll-free number. I thus can't even look up which hotels are available on points on a particular date online any more (and have to use the separate redemption points list, rather than a redemption search, to figure out how many points a night at a paritcular hotel is).

So I looked up the T&Cs, and I see even scarier stuff there:

https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/terms.action

C. Free Night Rewards for Participating Hotels outside the United States or Canada


Members can redeem points for an International Free Night stay at Days Inn®, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham®, Howard Johnson®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, Ramada®, Super 8® and Wingate® by Wyndham Participating Hotels outside the United States and Canada (excluding Corinthia associated hotels in Malta operating under a franchise or management agreement with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC or one of its affiliates). (International Free Night Reward).
The Member must book his/her hotel reservation and redeem for an International Free Night Reward by contacting Wyndham Rewards Member Services at 1.866.996.7937. International Free Night Reward reservations must be made at least 24 hours before desired stay.
Rooms are subject to availability and certain arrival and departure restrictions may apply. There may be a limited number of rooms available during peak periods or special events.
The number of points needed to redeem for an International Free Night Reward will vary by hotel.
The International Free Night Reward will entitle the Member to one (1) free night at the international Participating Hotel requested. The Member will be responsible for paying for additional nights not covered by the International Free Night Reward.
An International Free Night Reward is valid only for the room rate for one (1) single or double standard hotel room (up to 2 people allowed), including VAT or local taxes.
The International Free Night Reward may not be combined with any other coupon, offer or special promotion.
A major credit card must be provided at the time of reservation and at check-in.
In the event a Member fails to timely cancel a reservation in accordance with the local hotel's cancellation policy and/or fails to arrive at the hotel on the reserved arrival date, the International Free Night Reward will be forfeited.
Members will not accrue Wyndham Rewards points, airline miles or rail points for any stays using an International Free Night Reward.
Paper certificates will not be issued for International Free Night Rewards

Look at the sections I highlighted in red.

The first one claims that redemptions are only possible by calling. Why and when did they get rid of online redemptions?

The second one implies that maybe you can't do multi-night redemptions at all? What's up with this? I've been saving points specifically for foreign multi-night redemptions (no, not ready to book yet), but is that option gone? :(


Hello,
It is a separate process to redeem for an International location - you can review the availalbe properties here: https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/redeemHotel.action?variant=

But, then you will need to call Wyndham Rewards Member Services to redeem. This has always been the process for international locations. Sorry for any confusion.

Hello,
It is a separate process to redeem for an International location - you can review the availalbe properties here: https://www.wyndhamrewards.com/trec/consumer/redeemHotel.action?variant=

But, then you will need to call Wyndham Rewards Member Services to redeem. This has always been the process for international locations. Sorry for any confusion.

Wyndham Rewards, thanks very much for the information. A very useful link !

Do you know if the International properties on the list ( and the point requirement ) change frequently ?

Wyndham Rewards, thanks very much for the information. A very useful link !

Do you know if the International properties on the list ( and the point requirement ) change frequently ?

Hello, they do not change frequently, but I can't say that they'll never change. Hope that helps.

I just spent 40 minutes on the phone and spoke with 4 (four!!) different agents with Wyndham Rewards. My question was simple: is there availability for the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour for a reward booking on three particular nights.

At first, the agent could not find the Grand London, twice insinuating that I must be making the hotel up since she couldn't find it. The second agent kept quoting points levels for other hotels. The third agent asked me what State the Wyndham Grand London, in London, was in. The fourth agent finally answered my question, in the positive, but leaving me highly dubious of the information. Definitely one of the strangest calls I've made to any customer service center.

The link you provided, Wyndham Rewards representative, does not include the Grand London Chelsea Harbour as one of the properties available for reward bookings. And yet I happened across a website that does say it is available, and the fourth agent did say it is available for reward bookings.

Does this mean that list is incomplete? Is this lack of information something to expect from the Wyndham Rewards program (a program I'm only considering joining thanks to the Daily Getaways promotion next week)?

Thank you for bring this to our attention and I am sorry about your experience with our contact center. I will check our information and make sure everyone is up to date. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to let us know.

Thank you!

QUOTE=gabrielexposito;18362516]I just spent 40 minutes on the phone and spoke with 4 (four!!) different agents with Wyndham Rewards. My question was simple: is there availability for the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour for a reward booking on three particular nights.

At first, the agent could not find the Grand London, twice insinuating that I must be making the hotel up since she couldn't find it. The second agent kept quoting points levels for other hotels. The third agent asked me what State the Wyndham Grand London, in London, was in. The fourth agent finally answered my question, in the positive, but leaving me highly dubious of the information. Definitely one of the strangest calls I've made to any customer service center.

The link you provided, Wyndham Rewards representative, does not include the Grand London Chelsea Harbour as one of the properties available for reward bookings. And yet I happened across a website that does say it is available, and the fourth agent did say it is available for reward bookings.

Does this mean that list is incomplete? Is this lack of information something to expect from the Wyndham Rewards program (a program I'm only considering joining thanks to the Daily Getaways promotion next week)?[/QUOTE]

How can we tell in advance if international awards are available? I would hate to buy points and then find out the hotels aren't available for the dates I want.

Member services has to reserve an International free night and we would let you know prior to redeeming the points if it was available. If you need to contact us our number is 866-996-7937 (US and Canada) or 00-800-367-87477 (International).

How can we tell in advance if international awards are available? I would hate to buy points and then find out the hotels aren't available for the dates I want.

I cannot even make an international reservation through the wyndhamrewards.com website. As I type in the name of the city, it recognizes it (sometimes!) but when I search for availability, I always get:

"There are no hotels that match your search criteria"

I'm searching for cities that I know for a fact have Wyndham properties. For example, Sydney, London, etc. Their online reservation system seems to work only for US locations.

Hello,

I am very sorry it would not bring up locations for you. It may have been a problem with our website, however I have just checked the website and it now seems to be working. Please let me know if you continue to have problems.

I cannot even make an international reservation through the wyndhamrewards.com website. As I type in the name of the city, it recognizes it (sometimes!) but when I search for availability, I always get:

"There are no hotels that match your search criteria"

I'm searching for cities that I know for a fact have Wyndham properties. For example, Sydney, London, etc. Their online reservation system seems to work only for US locations.

Hello,

I am very sorry it would not bring up locations for you. It may have been a problem with our website, however I have just checked the website and it now seems to be working. Please let me know if you continue to have problems.

Yes, it's working now. However, there are times it still doesn't work even with domestic reservations in the US. I have to keep refreshing the page. It's a very buggy website. I've been having issues since last year and things seem to keep getting worse. Your company should invest more money in it, fix all the bugs and allow international redemptions online.

Hello,

I will pass on your feedback regarding our website. Thank you for bring it to our attention.

Yes, it's working now. However, there are times it still doesn't work even with domestic reservations in the US. I have to keep refreshing the page. It's a very buggy website. I've been having issues since last year and things seem to keep getting worse. Your company should invest more money in it, fix all the bugs and allow international redemptions online.