Wyndham Rewards Visa card is actually a high value card for people interested in airline miles, particularly SkyTeam Alliance, United and Continental flyers. All purchases earn 2 points per dollar and Wyndham hotel brands earn 5 points per dollar. Most other Visa hotel loyalty cards from Marriott, Hyatt, and Priority Club only earn 1 hotel point per dollar for general purchases and the points-to-miles transfer rates for hotel points is less than the Wyndham Rewards rate. 

Wyndham Rewards has a fixed points-to-miles exchange rate at 2.5 points = 1 mile. This is among the highest points-to-miles transfer rates of all hotel programs.

Comparison of Wyndham Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest points-to-miles transfer rates

Starwood’s American Express card earns 1 point per dollar for non-hotel spend and 1 point = 1 mile for most airline partners. SPG American Express is a popular card for airline miles, however, American Express is not accepted by many merchants and the SPG points-to-miles rate for United and Continental is a lower 2 points = 1 mile rate.

Wyndham Rewards is essentially giving 0.8 miles per dollar in credit card spend. This rate is 60% higher than the SPG American Express rate (0.5 miles per dollar) for United and Continental miles.

$4,000 in Wyndham Rewards Visa credit card spend earns 3,200 Continental or United miles for cardmembers. SPG American Express only earns 2,000 CO or UA miles with $4,000 in non-hotel spend.

SPG gives 1.25 miles per dollar for 1:1 airline partners points-to-miles transfers at the 20,000 points level. $20,000 in SPG American Express spend earns 25,000 miles. But transfer less than 20,000 points and the exchange rate is 1 point for 1 mile. 

Spend $20,000 on Wyndham Rewards Visa and your 40,000 points will convert into 16,000 miles with any of its 17 airline partners. You will earn 25% more miles with SPG 1:1 airline partners when exchanging fewer than 20,000 Starpoints for airlines partnering with both programs.

Airline Partners

SPG has 30 airline partners and many more international airline partners than Wyndham Rewards. Although, if your travel includes China, then Wyndham Rewards has more airline partners for this region with Air China, China Southern, China Eastern and Hainan Airlines.

Domestically SPG has opportunities with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian. Wyndham Rewards has different U.S. domestic partners than SPG with Midwest and Spirit Airlines.

Bottom line for the Loyalty Traveler

Wyndham Rewards Visa is a good back-up credit card for miles with 17 airline partners, particularly for Skyteam members.

• Skyteam Airlines Aeromexico, China Southern, and Czech Airlines are Wyndham Rewards airline partners not available through Starwood Preferred Guest.
• Continental and United earn miles at a better rate with Wyndham Rewards Visa than SPG American Express.
• Midwest Airlines and Spirit are other airline partners not available through SPG.
• China Eastern and Hainan Airlines are Wyndham partners, but not SPG partner airlines.

16 airline partners and Amtrak for Wyndham Rewards (Airlines in bold are not SPG airline partners)

8,000 points = 3,200 miles, unless stated otherwise

1. Aeromexico (8,000 points = 5,120 km)
2. Aeroplan – Air Canada
3. Air Berlin
4. Air China (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
5. American
6. Amtrak
7. China Eastern (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
8. China Southern (minimum transfer = 1,250 points for 500 miles)
9. Continental
10. Czech OK
11. Delta Skymiles
12. Hainan Airlines (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
13. Midwest
14. Southwest (8,000 points = 2 credits)
15. Spirit
16. US Airways
17. United

30 airline partners and Amtrak for Starwood Preferred Guest (Airlines in bold are not Wyndham Rewards partners)

1. Air Berlin
2. Air Canada- Aeroplan
3. Air China
4. Air New Zealand
5. Alaska
6. ANA All Nippon Airways
7. Alitalia
8. American
9. Amtrak
10. Asiana
11. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
12. British Airways
13. Continental (2:1)
14. Delta
15. Emirates
16. Flying Blue-Air France/KLM
17. Hawaiian
18. Japan Airlines
19. Kingfisher Airlines
20. LanPass
21. Mexican Frecuenta
22. Miles & More – Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, LOT Polish, Brussels
23. Qater Airways
24. Saudi Arabian Airlines
25. Singapore Airlines (2:1)
26. Southwest Airlines
27. Thai Airways
28. US Airways
29. United (2:1)
30. Varig (2:1)
31. Virgin Atlantic

Related posts:

Loyalty Traveler Hotel Points-to-Miles exchange rate tables (9-27-10)

Loyalty Traveler compares hotel rewards credit card benefits (9-1-10)

The St. Regis Aspen has been sold, but the property will continue operation as St. Regis under a 50-year management contract with Starwood Hotels. The new owner, 315 East Dean Associates, is a Delaware Corporation for Bangkok-based OptAsia Capital Co.

The buyer has committed to renovating the 179-room hotel including the incorporation of dining outlets in the expansive and currently open-space courtyard.

Will this shift the property up to category 7?

How about a Starbucks here?

Cut down some aspens and open the pool view to paying diners?

Sep 30, 3:30pm-5:00pm Eastern Time Zone will be the Twitter Travel Planning chat #TNI.

Travelers’ Night In is a weekly travel social event founded by the ZipSetGo.com GoGirls.

InterContinental Hotels is the first hotel sponsor of this Twitter event.

Two nights at the InterContinental Montelucia in Scottsdale will be given away during the September 30  #TNI timeframe.

The rest of this post is from the IHG sponsorship press release for this event:

Charles Yap, Director of Global Brand Communications, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, said: “Twitter is changing the way we interact with travellers, who love InterContinental and appreciate the local knowledge and international insight that our hotels celebrate and share, with guests whom we welcome daily, and via twitter @WorldConcierge. #TNI is a fun and enriching way for us to expand our social media interaction. We’re looking forward to partnering with ZipSetGo.com, founders of #TNI, on 90 minutes of travel conversations and ideas exchange.” 

Rachel Wolery of ZipSetGo.com said: “Each week our #TNI global audience continues to grow and become more engaged in the travel conversation. It is always a learning experience for all who participate. As our first hotel brand sponsor, ZipSetGo.com is excited to partner with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts for the upcoming Trip Planning #TNI and we are looking forward to this lively, and always amusing, twitter discussion.”

To celebrate this partnership, InterContinental will be offering a special prize giveaway to one lucky participant, courtesy of InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa (pictured) in Scottsdale, Arizona. For details, visit the official #TNI site at http://www.zipsetgo.com/travelers-night

How does #TNI work?
To participate or to ‘listen in’, simply load your twitter page (or twitter app) and search for #TNI. Hosts will pose one different question every 10 minutes, and participants can immediately respond with answers, questions, tips, links, etc. Each tweet should include #TNI so it’s easy for followers to track.

#TNI is a weekly twitter event which takes place every Thursday from 3:30pm – 5:00pm EST. A different travel theme is explored each week, providing a fun platform for travel lovers to share honest and straightforward thoughts, opinions, experiences, suggestions, photos, videos and links on twitter. Past #TNI events have averaged 5,000+ tweets, reaching 600,000+ followers, making 12 million+ impressions. #TNI was recently a top 10 twitter trending topic in the US.

Earn 5,000 Choice Privileges bonus points for every two hotel stays worldwide at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, Ascend Collection with arrival date August 26 through November 3, 2010.

*Registration is limited to Choice Privileges members who maintain an address in Europe.

5,000 Choice Privileges bonus points for two stays

August 26 – November 3, 2010

Eligible Hotel Brands worldwide

• Comfort Inn
• Comfort Suites
• Quality
• Sleep Inn
• Clarion
• Cambria Suites
• Ascend Collection

Promotion registration is restricted to European residents.

*Residents of North America have a promotion for 8,000 points every two stays Aug 26 – Nov 3, 2010)

Who is the Madman across the Water?

While it may appear Europeans are getting a lesser deal than Americans, there also appears to be a difference in the way the points are added to the account with these two promotions.

European version of Choice Privileges promotion states 5,000 bonus points after two stays.

(Points are earned in dollars even for European members.)

Two stays for $200 total earns 2,000 base points + 5,000 bonus points for 7,000 points.

Europe Promotion: $100 per stay x 2 stays = $200 (Points are earned in dollar equivalents even for European members according to the website.)

• 2,000 base points
• 5,000 bonus points (promotion for two stays)
• 7,000 points total points for two stays as Europe member

The Americas version for 8,000 points is actually the difference between base points earned from two actual stays and 8,000 points.

U.S.A. Promotion: $100 per stay x 2 stays = $200

• 2,000 base points
• 6,000 bonus points  [8,000 points – base points earned] = promotion bonus points.
• 8,000 total points for two stays as U.S. member

But watch what happens if you have two stays of 3 nights at US$90 or equivalent per night

Europe Promotion: $130 per night x 3 nights x 2 stays = $780

• 7,800 base points
• 5,000 bonus points (promotion for two stays)
• 12,800 points total points for two stays as Europe member

USA Promotion: $130 per night x 3 nights x 2 stays = $780

• 7,800 base points
• 200 bonus points   [8,000 points – base points earned] = promotion bonus points.
• 8,000 points total points for two stays as U.S. member

Try out the online suite selection feature using Homewood Suites eCheck-in and earn 500 HHonors bonus points per stay through December 31, 2010. HHonors members are limited to 10,000 bonus points with this promotion.

I googled “Homewood Suites 500 points” and came up with my own Loyalty Traveler story of a similar Homewood Suites promotion in 2008. The brand has grown in the past 24 months from 220 hotels in 2008 to its 300^th hotel opening just last week in the Austin suburb of Round Rock.

Stay one night Sunday through Thursday from October 3 to November 21 at a Carlson Hotels Country Inn & Suites booked with promotional code 15000PTS at a participating hotel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica or Panama and earn 15,000 bonus goldpoints. Promotion Link.

Minimum 3-day advance reservation required. Only one 15,000 points bonus may be earned during the promotion period.

Country Inn & Suites have complimentary high speed internet and breakfast included in the room rate. There are nearly 500 Country Inn & Suites, primarily in the U.S. and Canada.

Goldpoints members also receive 1,000 bonus points for online booking and 15 points per dollar for hotel spend. All in all, this offer works out to about 17,500 points for a $100 one-night stay. Free nights using goldpoints start at 15,000 points. And that gives you a choice of about 140 hotels in goldpoints reward category 1 including the Radisson Resort Kissimmee, Florida; Country Inn Savannah Airport; Radisson New Orleans Airport; Radisson Hotel Whittier, California; Radisson Plaza, La Paz, Bolivia; Park Inn Uppsala, Sweden; Phoenix Park Inn Resort, Goa, India and the Radisson Bangkok, Thailand.

For U.S. stays a TGI Friday’s coupon for a free appetizer with purchase of an adult entrée is also available at hotel check-in.

AAA rates were about $10 less at several hotels I checked. $10 for 15,000 points is a Loyalty Traveler rated 5-key promotional offer.

The tables in this post compare the best hotel points-to-miles exchange rates for nine hotel loyalty programs:

1. Best Western Rewards
2. Choice Privileges
3. Carlson Goldpoints Plus
4. Hilton HHonors
5. Hyatt Gold Passport
6. InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club (IHG)
7. Marriott Rewards
8. Starwood Preferred Guest  (SPG)
9. Wyndham Rewards

Points-to-Miles exchange rates shown below include seven U.S. based airlines:

1. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Continental Airlines OnePass
4. Delta/Northwest Skymiles
5. Southwest Airlines
6. United Mileage Plus
7. US Airways Dividend Miles

Columns are set to equivalent base spend across programs.

Earned points per dollar from hotel spend base points are used to align different programs in the tables below in each column:

• Best Western                                  10 points per dollar
• Carlson goldpoints plus               20 points per dollar
• Choice Privileges                            10 points per dollar
• Hilton HHonors                   *10 points per dollar (Points & Miles)
• Hyatt Gold Passport                         5 points per dollar
• IHG Priority Club                            10 points per dollar        
• Marriott Rewards                            10 points per dollar
• Starwood Preferred Guest             2 points per dollar
• Wyndham Rewards                        10 points per dollar

* Points & Miles base rate at 10 points per dollar is shown for Hilton HHonors since members will usually earn far more miles overall with a combination of points transfers and miles earned from hotel stays.  100,000 HHonors points = 15,000 American AAdvantage miles is the actual HHonors points-to-miles exchange rate.

However, the column for 100,000 points assumes 10 base points per dollar earned with Points & Miles preference, equivalent to $10,000 in base spend when comparing HHonors to other programs. The columns are not aligned correctly for HHonors  Points & Points earner getting 15 base points per dollar. In this case the 100,000 points column would actually be $6,667 in base spend. 100,000 points shown in table columns is equivalent to $10,000 in hotel spend for programs earning 10 base points per dollar. $10,000 in hotel spend with Hyatt earns 50,000 base points and 20,000 points in Starwood Preferred Guest or 200,000 points for Radisson stays in goldpoints plus.

Important Note: The exchange rates shown in the tables are adjusted for comparative purposes across programs and may not actually be set to eligible transfer increments for a specific program. For example, 20,000 Choice points is shown in the table as converting into 5 Southwest credits, but the actual eligible tranfer increment for Choice Priivileges points to Southwest Airlines is 6,000 points = 1.5 credits. So while 20,000 Choice points is equivalent to 5 Southwest credits, the actual Choice Privileges points transfer would have to be either 18,000 points for 4.5 credits or 24,000 points for 6.0 credits.

Yellow rows show hotel points to be exchanged.

White rows are miles exchange rate for hotel points and accurate for any individual program.

Columns are set to equivalent base spend across programs.

Limitations of these tables

Comparing hotel points-to-miles rates across hotel loyalty programs requires placement of different programs with different points earning systems on a similar scale.

Each hotel chain rewards members with a base rate for earning points per dollar spend and this is the scale used to compare points-to-miles exchange rates across programs. Base points earning rates range from Starwood Preferred Guest members earning 2 points per dollar at any brand to Goldpoints plus members earn 20 points per dollar at some hotel brands in some parts of the world. Most programs use 10 points per dollar.

The complexity of comparing exchange rates across hotel programs is due in part to the different rates of earning points across hotel brands even within the same hotel chain.

For example, Marriott Rewards members earn only 5 points per $1 for hotel spend in Marriott’s  Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels. Members of the same Marriott Rewards program earn 10 points per $1 in hotel spend if all stays are in other Marriott brands like Courtyard, Marriott and Renaissance. The average base spend points earned for a Marriott Rewards member will be dependent on the proportion of lower earning hotel stays.

Hilton HHonors members earn 15 points per dollar with Points & Points at any Hilton Worldwide brand hotel. Some members earn 10 points per dollar and miles with each hotel stay by choosing to Double Dip for Points & Miles.

InterContinental Hotels Group  Priority Club members earn 10 points per dollar for hotel brands Holiday Inn, HI Express, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo. Staybridge and Candlewood Suites stays earn 5 points per dollar. InterContinental Hotels earn 2,000 points per stay.

Carlson Hotels Goldpoints Plus has two tiers of hotels for earning points. Radisson brands earn 20 points per dollar or euro. The currency differences between the euro and dollar make earning rates lower for Americans staying in Europe.  The lower tier brands earning 15 points per dollar or euro are Country Inn & Suites and Park Inn.

Choice Privileges has 11 hotel brands with most brands earning 10 points per dollar, however extended stay brands Mainstay Suites and Suburban and economy brands EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn earn just 5 points per dollar.

Best Western, Hyatt, Starwood and Wyndham are the only four programs of the nine surveyed to give the same rate of points earned per dollar spend at all hotel brands in the loyalty program.

Comparing points-to-miles exchange rates across hotel programs is simplified by comparing only the highest earning per base spend rate per program.

For example the Marriott Rewards data in the tables assume members earn 10 points per dollar. However, the Marriott Rewards member who primarily stays at Residence Inn and regularly earns 5 base points per dollar will not be aligned correctly in the table columns with the Hilton member who always earns 15 points per dollar at any brand. The tables are based on the Marriott Rewards member earning 10 points per dollar and the HHonors member earning 10 points per dollar with Points & Miles earning preference.

Earned points per dollar are used to align different programs in the tables below:

• Best Western                                  10 points per dollar
• Carlson goldpoints plus               20 points per dollar
• Choice Privileges                            10 points per dollar
• Hilton HHonors                   10 points per dollar (Points & Miles)
• Hyatt Gold Passport                         5 points per dollar
• IHG Priority Club                            10 points per dollar        
• Marriott Rewards                            10 points per dollar
• Starwood Preferred Guest             2 points per dollar
• Wyndham Rewards                        10 points per dollar

Elite and Promotion Bonus Points

Finally, these tables do not account for the rate of earning points from promotions and elite status. Hyatt, IHG and SPG have a high proportion of points earned from promotions and elite status compared to base spend. These charts are only aligned on base spend at high earning hotel brands within each program and your hotel stay pattern may lead to a faster rate of earning in one program compared to another.

The goal of the frequent guest is to earn far more than base points from hotel spend. The objective of Loyalty Traveler blog is to explain how to exceed base points earning from your hotel spend.

The reality of hotel loyalty programs is most frequent guests will earn 20,000 Starpoints or 50,000 Hyatt points or 100,000 Marriott points for far less than $10,000 in hotel spend. Elite bonus points, promotion bonus points and partner activity bonus points will reduce the cost of earning $10,000 worth of base points to a much lower spend level.

Qualitative Ranking of Best Hotel Loyalty Programs for Points-to-Miles Exchange Rates

5 Key

• Marriott
• Wyndham
• Goldpoints plus
• Choice (5-key program only for Southwest Airlines)

4 Key

• Hyatt
• Starwood Preferred Guest

3 Key

• Priority Club
• Best Western
• Choice (5-key program for Southwest Airlines)
• Hilton (3-key for American Airlines)

2 Key

• Hilton (most airline programs)
• SPG (Continental, United, Singapore)

Hotel Points-to-Miles Exchange  

Hotel programs vary in the airline partners, points-to-miles exchange rate, static or variable exchange system, minimum transfer level of points, allowable transfer increments and the base spend necessary to earn that level of points. 

Best Western Rewards 

• Static exchange rate 5 points = 1 mile
• Minimum transfer = 5,000 points
• 5000 points is equivalent to $500 base spend.
• Transfers allowed in 5,000 point increments. 

7 airline partners Best Western Rewards (9-25-10)

1. Aeroplan – Air Canada
2. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
3. American AAdvantage
4. Continental OnePass
5. Delta Skymiles,
6. Southwest Rapid Rewards
7. US Airways Dividend Miles 

Choice Privileges 

• Static exchange rate 5 points = 1 mile
• Minimum transfer = 5,000 points
• 5000 points is equivalent to $500 base spend
• Transfers allowed in 5,000 point increments. 

14 airline partners Choice Privileges (9-25-10)

1. Aeroplan – Air Canada
2. Air New Zealand
3. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
4. American AAdvantage
5. Continental OnePass
6. Czech Airlines OK Plus
7. Delta Skymiles,
8. Mexicana Go
9. Qantas Frequent Flyer
10. Southwest Rapid Rewards
11. Spirit Air
12. United Airlines Milege Plus
13. US Airways Dividend Miles
14. V Australia Velocity Rewards

Carlson Hotels Goldpoints Plus

• Variable exchange rate

                2000 points = 250 miles (8:1)

                50,000 points = 8,000 miles          (6.25:1)

                100,000 points = 18,000 miles      (5.55:1)

• Minimum transfer = 2,000 points
• 2000 points is equivalent to $100 base spend at Radisson in U.S.
• Goldpoints has the lowest minimum transfer of any hotel program relative to base spend earning rate.

19 airline partners for goldpoints plus

1. Aeromexico Club Premier
2. Aeroplan – Air Canada
3. Air Berlin
4. American AAdvantage
5. Air France/KLM Flying Blue
6. Asiana Bonus Club
7. British Airways Executive Club
8. Continental OnePass
9. Czech Airlines OK Plus
10. Delta Skymiles
11. Emirates Skywards
12. Etihad Frequent Flyer
13. Icelandair Saga Bonus
14. Jet Airways – Jet Privilege
15. Midwest Airlines   
16. Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, LOT Polish, Brussels Airlines)
17. SAS EuroBonus
18. United Airlines Milege Plus
19. US Airways Dividend Miles

Hilton HHonors

• Static Exchange Rate (10 points = 1 mile)

                                10,000 points = 1,000 miles          ( 10 points =  1 mile )

                American Airlines has 50% higher HHonors exchange rate

                                10,000 points = 1,500 miles          ( 6.67 points =  1 mile)

The higher HHonors exchange rate also applies to Hawaiian, Midwest, Gulf Air, Mexican, Qantas and South African Airways.

• Minimum transfer = 10,000 points    
• 10,000 points is equivalent to $667 base spend for Points & Points earner. $1,000 in base spend for Points & Miles earner.
• Transfers must be 10,000 points increments

40 airline partners for Hilton HHonors

**HHonors has most points-to-miles transfer airlines of any hotel program and HHonors even has more airlines eligible for Points & Miles earning during hotel stays. Unfortunately, the poor exchange rate makes most other programs a better value for points-to-miles exchange.

1. Aeromexico (25,000 points = 6,500 km)
2. Aeroplan (Air Canada)
3. Air Berlin
4. Air China
5. Air New Zealand  (10,000 points = 20 NZ points) [SPG 1,300 Starpoints = 20 points; IHG 10,000 = 25 NZ points]
6. Alaska Airlines
7. All Nippon Airways
8. American Airlines (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
9. Amtrak
10. British Airways
11. Cathay Pacific Airways
12. Continental Airlines®
13. CSA Czech Airlines
14. Delta Air Lines®
15. Etihad  
16. Gulf Air (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
17. Hawaiian Airlines® (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
18. Icelandair
19. Japan Airlines
20. Jet Airways
21. JetBlue  (10,000 HHonors = 1,000 points)
22. LAN**(25,000 points = 6,500 kms)
23. Kingfisher Airlines
24. KLM/Air France (Flying Blue)**
25. Malaysia Airlines®
26. Mexicana Airlines (kms) (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
27. Midwest (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
28. Miles & More (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines)
29. Qantas Airways (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
30. Qatar Airways
31. Saudi Arabian Airlines
32. Singapore Airlines
33. South African Airways (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)
34. Southwest Airlines® (10,000 points = 1 credit)
35. TACA
36. THAI Airways International
37. United Airlines®
38. US Airways®  (10,000 points = 850 miles)
39. Virgin America  (10,000 HHonors points = 2,500 Elevate points)
40. Virgin Atlantic Airways (10,000 points = 1,500 miles)

Hyatt Gold Passport

• Static Exchange Rate with 25% Bonus at 50,000 points increments.

                5,000 points = 2,000 miles             ( 2.5 points =  1 mile)

                50,000 points = 25,000 miles        ( 2 points = 1 mile)

• Minimum transfer = 5,000 points
• 5,000 points is equivalent to $1,000 base spend
• Transfers are allowed in 1,250 points increments

34 airline partners for Hyatt Gold Passport

Must sign in to Hyatt Gold Passport member account to see exchange partners

1. Aeromexico
2. Air Canada
3. Air China
4. Air France/KLM
5. Alaska
6. ANA
7. American
8. Amtrak
9. Asiana
10. British Airways
11. Cathay Pacific
12. China Airlines
13. China Eastern
14. Continental
15. Delta
16. Emirates
17. Etihad
18. Japan
19. Jey
20. Korean Air
21. LanChile
22. Lufthansa Miles & More
23. Mexicana
24. Midwest
25. Northwest
26. Qantas
27. Royal Brunei
28. Singapore
29. South African
30. Southwest
31. Thai
32. United
33. US Airways
34. Virgin Atlantic

IHG Priority Club

• Static Exchange Rate (10 points = 2 miles or 5 points = 1 mile)
• Minimum transfer = 10,000 points
• 10,000 points is equivalent to $1,000 base spend
• Transfers must be in 10,000 point increments

37 airline partners for Priority Club Rewards

1. Aeromexico
2. Air Berlin
3. Air Canada
4. Air China
5. Air New Zealand
6. Alaska
7. ANA
8. Alitalia
9. American
10. Asiana
11. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
12. British Airways
13. China Eastern
14. China Southern
15. Continental
16. Delta
17. El Al
18. Emirates
19. Flying Blue – Air France/KLM
20. GlobalPass
21. Gulf Air
22. Hainan
23. Japan Airlines
24. Jet
25. LanPass
26. Lufthansa Miles & More
27. Malaysia Airlines
28. Mexican Frecuenta
29. Saudi Arabian Airlines
30. Singapore Airlines
31. South African Airways
32. Southwest Airlines
33. TAP Air Portugal
34. Thai Airways
35. United
36. US Airways
37. Varig

Marriott Rewards

• Variable Exchange Rate (10 points = 2 miles, and up to 10 points = 4 miles)
• Hotel + Air Package Exchange Rate (10 points = 10 miles)

Higher Tier Airlines

Minimum Exchange Rate for 10,000 points = 2,000 miles

Published Exchange Increments for Marriott Rewards points-to-miles transfers

• 10,000 points = 2,000 miles (5 points = 1 mile)
• 20,000 points = 5,000 miles (4 points = 1 mile)
• 30,000 points = 10,000 miles (3 points = 1 mile)
• 70,000 points = 25,000 miles (2.8 points = 1 mile)
• 125,000 points = 50,000 miles (2.5 points = 1 mile)

Marriott Rewards points-to-miles exchange rate doubles at highest transfer increment of 125,000 points for 10 points = 4 miles compared to 10 points = 2 miles for a 10,000 points transfer.

Lower Tier Airline Rate

Minimum Exchange Rate for 10,000 points = 1,500 miles

• 10,000 points = 1,500 miles          (6.67 points = 1 mile)
• 20,000 points = 3,500 miles          (5.71 points = 1 mile)
• 30,000 points = 7,000 miles          (4.29 points = 1 mile)
• 70,000 points = 17,500 miles        (4.00 points = 1 mile)
• 125,000 points = 35,000 miles      (3.57 points = 1 mile)

Marriott Rewards points-to-miles exchange rate is 87% better at the 125,000 points transfer level compared to a 10,000 points transfer. So not quite double the exchange rate for these lower tier exchange rate airlines. Higher tier airlines give 100% more miles at 125,000 points transfer level.

29 airline partners for Marriott Rewards

Higher exchange rate Tier (10,000 points = 2,000 miles, up to 125,000 points = 50,000 miles)

1. Aeromexico
2. Aeroplan – Air Canada
3. Alaska
4. British Airways
5. Continental
6. Delta
7. Frontier
8. Hawaiian
9. Mexican
10. United
11. US Airways
12. Varig
13. Virgin Atlantic
14. Southwest (10,000 points = 2 credits; up to 125,000 points = 32 credits)

Lower exchange rate tier (10,000 points = 1,500 miles, up to 125,000 points = 35,000 miles)

1. Air Berlin
2. Air China
3. Air France
4. Alitalia
5. ANA
6. Cathay pacific
7. China Southern
8. Emirates
9. Japan Airlines
10. Jet Airways
11. LAN
12. Lufthansa Miles & More
13. Qantas
14. Singapore Airlines
15. TAP Air Portugal

Starwood Preferred Guest

Static Exchange Rate (1 point = 1 mile) with 25% Bonus for 20,000 points transfer

                5,000 points = 5,000 miles             ( 1 point = 1 mile )

                20,000 points = 25,000 miles        ( 1.25 points = 1 mile )

Continental, Singapore, United and Varig exchange rate is 2 points = 1 mile

5,000 points = 2,500 miles             ( 2 points = 1 mile)

                20,000 points = 12,500 miles        ( 1.6 points = 1 mile)

Southwest Airlines (1,500 points =  1 credit)

                1,500 Starpoints = 1 Southwest Rapid Rewards credit   

                20,000 points = 16.5 credits or

                21,000 points = 17.5 credits (21,000 points is slightly better rate)

• Minimum transfer = 2,500 points (equivalent to $1,250 base spend)
• SPG Gold elite members minimum transfer = 1,500 points (equivalent to $750 base spend)
• SPG Platinum elite members have no minimum transfer
• Any point increments allowed up to daily maximum 79,999 per transaction per program.

30 airline partners for Starwood Preferred Guest

1. Air Berlin
2. Air Canada- Aeroplan
3. Air China
4. Air New Zealand
5. Alaska
6. ANA All Nippon Airways
7. Alitalia
8. American
9. Asiana
10. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
11. British Airways
12. Continental
13. Delta
14. Emirates
15. Flying Blue-Air France/KLM
16. Hawaiian
17. Japan Airlines
18. Kingfisher Airlines
19. LanPass
20. Mexican Frecuenta
21. Miles & More – Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, LOT Polish, Brussels
22. Qater Airways
23. Saudi Arabian Airlines
24. Singapore Airlines
25. Southwest Airlines
26. Thai Airways
27. US Airways
28. United
29. Varig
30. Virgin Atlantic

Wyndham Rewards

• Static Exchange Rate (10 points = 4 miles or 2.5 points = 1 mile)
• 8,000 points = 3,200 miles             ( 2.5 points = 1 mile )
• 17,500 points = 7,000 miles          (2.5 points = 1 mile)
• 30,000 points = 12,000 miles       (2.5 points = 1 mile)
• Minimum transfer = 8,000 points (equivalent to $800 base spend)
• Points may be transferred in 8,000 or 17,500 or 32,000 points increments

17 airline partners for Wyndham Rewards

1. Aeromexico (8,000 points = 5,120 km)
2. Aeroplan – Air Canada
3. Air Berlin
4. Air China (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
5. American
6. Amtrak
7. China Eastern (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
8. China Southern (minimum transfer = 1,250 points for 500 miles)
9. Continental
10. Czech OK
11. Delta Skymiles
12. Hainan Airlines (8,000 points = 5,150 miles)  (1.55 points = 1 mile)
13. Midwest
14. Southwest (8,000 points = 2 credits)
15. Spirit
16. US Airways
17. United

Marriott has two weekend special rate offers that must be booked by October 11.

Offer #1 is free breakfast and earn a Marriott $100 Bonus Bucks certificate when you stay Friday or Saturday night at a Marriott, Renaissance or JW Marriott in the continental U.S. or Canada between October 14 and January 2. The Bonus Bucks certificate may be applied to room rate for a future minimum two-night weekend stay and must be used within 90 days.

Book your stay between September 24 and October 11 for arrival Thursday, Friday or Saturday night that includes at least a Friday or Saturday night. This offer applies even for one night stays on a Friday or Saturday.

When I tried a Wednesday arrival and Saturday check-out for San Francisco Bay Area hotels, The Lodge Sonoma Renaissance was the only hotel eligible for the R6M rate. There are 11 eligible hotels when I tried a Friday night check-in date.

Free Breakfast and $100 Bonus Bucks Offer (Marriott free breakfast promotion offer link) 

• Book a hotel stay between September 24 and October 11 at Marriott, JW Marriott or Renaissance in the continental U.S. or Canada using Promotional Code R6M.
• Arrival day at most hotels must be Thursday, Friday or Saturday from October 14, 2010 to January 2, 2011.
• Qualifying stay must include a Friday or Saturday night. A one night stay counts for promotion.
• R6M rate includes free breakfast and a $100 Bonus Bucks certificate to be used within 90 days on a minimum two-night weekend stay occurring Thursday through Sunday.
• One Bonus Bucks coupon per room per stay
• Offer may be combined with Marriott MegaBonus offer.

Some weekend hotel rates in the San Francisco Bay Area are even lower than $100 per night to qualify for this promotion.

Offer # 2 Courtyard or Residence Inn 25% off two-night Weekend Stay in U.S. and Canada

Promotion Code NF2. Marriott link to promotion offer.

• Book a hotel stay between September 24 and October 11 at Courtyard by Marriott or Reisdence Inn in the continental U.S. or Canada using Promotional Code R6M.
• Arrival day at most hotels must be Thursday, Friday or Saturday from October 14, 2010 to January 2, 2011.
• A two-night minimum stay is required for 25% discount promotion.
• Offer may be combined with Marriott MegaBonus offer.

Loyalty Traveler Search Results (Fri Nov 12 – Sun Nov 14, 2010)

Marriott Courtyard Downtown San Francisco

• $149/night (Best Available Rate)
• $142/night (AAA rate)
• $111.75/night (NF2 25% off rate)

Both promotional offers are good weekend rate deals from Marriott.

Win 20 nights at Embassy Suites, $10,000 and an i-Phone 4G as the grand prize in the Embassy Suites Facebook Über Fandom Contest. Entries must be submitted on the Embassy Suites Hotels Facebook page by 11:59pm eastern time September 30.

Simply upload a photo and write 100 to 300 words about your extreme fandom passion. Entries will be judged on the following equally weighed criteria: creativity of both Essay and Photo, appropriateness to theme, and composition of Essay and Photo. 

Five finalists will be chosen October 1, 2010. Existing fans of Embassy Suites will be able to vote for their favorite Entry between 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on October 1, 2010 and 11:59 p.m. EST on October 14, 2010 (“Voting Period”), fans of the Embassy Suites page can vote for their favorite Entry among the top five (5) finalists through the Embassy Suites Über Fan application on the Facebook Platform 

Grand Prize (1): One grand prize winner will receive twenty (20) Be My Guest Certificates, each valid for one (1) night hotel accommodations in a standard suite at any Embassy Suites Hotel worldwide of winner’s choice, a check in the amount of $10,000 and an iPhone 4G (phone only, service contract not included). Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of grand prize: US$14,600.

Runners Up (4): Four (4) runners up will receive seven (7) Be My Guest Certificates, each valid for one (1) night in a standard suite at any Embassy Suites Hotel worldwide of winner’s choice and a Slide HD Flip Cam. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of runner up prize: US$1,680 each. Certificates are subject to terms and conditions specified thereon. Certificates expire one year from date of issue. Certificate applies to room rate and corresponding tax only and does not apply to gratuities or incidental charges. Stay is subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. 7 days advanced reservation required. Hotel accommodations subject to availability. Must disclose use of certificate at time of reservation.

Drink Eat Travel has another opportunity to win a free night at Embassy Suites

DrinkEatTravel.com has one Embassy Suites free night certificate available in a sweepstakes through its site. Simply tweet the phrase shown on their site which promotes the Embassy Suites Facebook contest and you will receive an entry for the DrinkEatTravel free night giveaway on September 30.

Planet Hollywood – First Las Vegas…and now the World

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation signed a Planet Hollywood franchise and development deal for worldwide hotel brand development. This is the second hotel brand acquired for Wyndham Rewards in the past three months. Wyndham Hotels is the world’s largest hotel company by number of hotels with over 7,200 hotels worldwide. This compares to Choice Hotels in second at around 6,000 hotels with InterContinental Hotels Group (Holiday Inn brands) at about 4,500 hotels as the third largest hotel group globally.

Currently there is just Planet Hollywood Hotel Resort in Las Vegas that was formerly the Aladdin Hotel until Nov 2007 and then remodeled as Planet Hollywood. Both hotel entities participated in the Starwood Preferred Guest program up until January 15, 2010. The hotel was an economical SPG elite credit at consistently cheap Las Vegas weekday $59 to $89 rates with a regular SPG platinum upgrade every time I stayed these past few years.

Wyndham Takes TRYP

Sol Meliá is Spain’s largest hotel company with about 300 hotels in 26 countries on four continents. The hotel chain sold its TRYP Hotels brand to Wyndham in June 2010. TRYP Hotels are a midscale hotel brand with 92 locations in Europe and South America. Sol Melia and Wyndham will market and develop the TRYP by Wyndham brand globally.

TRYP Hotel Zaragoza, Spain

Wyndham Acquires ResortQuest to Grow rental vacation business

And just yesterday Wyndham announced a deal for ResortQuest to integrate the rental vacation homes company into its vacation exchange and rentals segment business. This portion of Wyndham’s business has been strong and the ResortQuest deal makes Wyndham the world’s largest provider of vacation homes with over 85,000 properties in 100 countries.

Tryp Hotel Room, Buenos Aires, Argentina