Wyndham Offers Gold Status to Essential Workers

Source: Wyndham Vacations

To show appreciation for who they are calling “Everyday Heroes,” Wyndham Rewards is extending Gold elite status to essential workers through 2021, including those who were not prior program members. In a communication to FlyerTalk, the hotelier confirmed the act to reward those on the front end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gold Membership Upgrade for the #EverydayHeroes

The Gold status offer – usually earned after spending five nights at participating hotels – is being offered to many different “essential workers,” not just healthcare employees. Additional employees in the included group include: essential manufacturing, essential retail (including grocery workers), news media, construction, defense, and “…other provision of essential products or services (including, without limitation, logistics and technology support).”

To claim the Gold level upgrade, individuals can go to wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-rewards/claim-gold. Once you have signed up for Wyndham Rewards or signed into your account, guests will be prompted to input their job title to claim Gold status. Although Wyndham appears to be using the “honor system,” the terms and conditions clearly state the program “…reserves the right to revoke the upgrade of any Wyndham Rewards Member whom it determines, in its sole discretion, has engaged in misrepresentation, fraud or abuse of this offer.”

Wyndham Rewards Gold membership lets members earn 10 percent more points for qualified stays on top of base earnings, and late checkout. Gold members also get their preferred room choice type, when available. The promotion is available through Sept. 30, 2020.

Extending elite status through 2021, plus extended flexibility

In addition to offering complimentary Gold elite status to essential workers, the program is extending the elite status of all members through December 2021 – including the new Gold members who entered through the program. All Wyndham Rewards points expiration will pause until Sept. 30, 2020 for all members and the program is planning to take additional steps to help “all Wyndham Rewards members globally.” Future plans include “relaxed member level earning requirements.”

The hotel company will also waiving cancellation or change penalties for stays through June 30, 2020. Those with plans beyond June 30, 2020, change penalties will continue to be waived if Wyndham receives the guest request at least 48 hours prior to their scheduled stay.