Wyndham Rewards Changes 2025: Impact on Caesars Status Match & Points Transfer Limits

Wyndham Rewards has recently unveiled two significant changes set to roll out at the start of 2025. One major change will influence cardholders who have routinely leveraged their status to match with Caesars Rewards, particularly those with the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card who enjoy Diamond status perks. Starting February 1, 2025, any status gained from a credit card, rather than through traditional hotel stays, will no longer be eligible for a status match into the Caesars Rewards program. This shift means that card-driven status privileges will not automatically extend into Caesar’s loyalty offerings, such as free stays at Atlantis Bahamas and discounted cruises with Norwegian Cruise Line, popular perks many have strategically used. This also means changes to the “merry-go-round” status match strategy that many points and miles enthusiasts have come to enjoy.

Wyndham has also introduced a cap on annual points transfers between their program and Caesars Rewards. As of January 1, 2025, members will only be able to transfer a maximum of 30,000 points per calendar year at a 1:1 ratio. For frequent travelers and loyalty enthusiasts accustomed to moving larger point sums among programs to maximize rewards, this change represents a significant reduction in flexibility.

These adjustments have been disclosed primarily on the Canadian version of the Wyndham Rewards website, raising questions about whether or not this will be the case for U.S. rewards members. We’ve reached out to Wyndham for confirmation.

Our Take

These changes in Wyndham Rewards’ policy mark a notable transition in the program’s strategy, potentially making it less appealing for travelers who have structured their credit card use around maximizing benefits through status matches and point transfers. The limitation on status matching, notably impacting business card holders, could diminish the attractiveness of holding certain Wyndham credit cards solely for this perk, thereby requiring users to reconsider their loyalty strategies. It suggests a shift towards rewarding traditional hotel stays over credit card-based accumulation of status—a move that may not sit well with users looking to optimize rewards through credit card strategies.

The reduction in transferable points will likely compel frequent travelers to reassess how they accumulate and utilize their points. While this move aligns with a tightening of benefits seen across other loyalty programs, it adds an element of constraint that seasoned rewards users might find challenging.