“In the rental car segment, one programme stands out that aims to meet the needs of frequent travellers and workation lovers: Avis Drive. Wyndham Rewards is also an exciting development being one of the few hotel programmes to continue using a fixed rewards table.“ Ulf-Gunnar Switalski
Avis has revised its free loyalty programme with Avis Preferred and now offers instant benefits such as a 10 % discount from the very first rental. In addition, there is a priority service for reduced waiting times and the additional option of picking up the car directly from the parking space at selected locations. Perfect for travellers who want to switch seamlessly from business to leisure after a meeting.
Higher membership levels such as Avis Preferred Plus or the President’s Club offer exclusive bonuses such as free upgrades and the option of additional drivers. An important driving force behind the redesign of the customer loyalty package was a consumer study conducted internationally comprised of Avis Preferred members and non-members.
Avis Drive is another exciting upgrade, with the new Drive Gold package standing out in particular: for 99 euros a year, you can get a 20% discount on rentals in Germany and 15% in Europe. On top of this are added extra services such as Roadside Assistance Plus, child seats and the option of up to three free additional drivers per rental, making it ideal for families too. Another highlight is the priority service, which significantly speeds up vehicle pick-up – an undeniable advantage for those who want to use their time efficiently. Avis self-service kiosks are now also available exclusively for Avis Preferred customers. Whether for spontaneous trips after a business meeting or for a planned workation – there’s no faster way to get your keys.
Avis also works with partners such as Viator and Priority Pass. Members benefit from discounts on airport lounges and experiences such as city tours or adrenaline-filled sports. The combination of discounts, premium services and efficient extras makes the programme a very useful companion to anyone who wants to combine business and personal travel in Europe.
Wyndham Rewards: Underestimated by Frequent Travellers
As a regular user of hotel loyalty programmes, I have grown fond of Wyndham Rewards over the years. It is one of the few programmes that still uses a fixed award chart instead of dynamic pricing. This aspect makes it particularly worth it during peak season.
Wyndham Rewards stands out for its simplicity and generosity. With over 60,000 hotels, resorts and holiday apartments in its redeemable portfolio worldwide, it offers a level of diversity that only few other hotel programmes can match. The programme is comprised of 23 hotel brands, including Tryp, Ramada, Wyndham Garden and Super 8. In Germany, Wyndham has expanded its portfolio to over 120 hotels with the integration of the Vienna House Hotels, which further increase its attractiveness for domestic travellers.
A major highlight of Wyndham Rewards are the fixed redemption categories. One night will cost you 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 points respectively, depending on the hotel category. This makes planning reward nights straight forward and transparent. Particularly noteworthy is that even suite upgrades are possible on reward nights – an advantage rarely found in this form.
Wyndham Rewards offers one of the most accessible status systems in the entire industry. Gold status is reached after just five nights of accommodation, and includes benefits such as late check-out, preferred rooms and personalised customer service. Higher tiers such as Platinum and Diamond offer additional amenities such as early check-in, welcome gifts and options for upgrading into a suite.
There are many ways to collect points: ten points for every US dollar spent or a minimum of 1,000 points per stay ensure that points accumulate quickly. In addition, points can amounted through booking car rentals or events at Wyndham hotels. In an American study, Wyndham Rewards came out on top as the most attractive programme, with an average cashback ratio of 16.7% – well ahead of others.
“I particularly appreciate the generosity during promotions.“
I particularly appreciate the programme’s generosity when it comes to promotions. Several times a year, there are offers where either bonus points or stays are rewarded. For example, members can receive up to two free nights after just two stays. Such promotions make Wyndham Rewards even more attractive for people who travel a lot. Another advantage is that you can carry over any nights you haven’t used into the following year. The status you achieve also remains valid until the end of the following year, offering a soft landing if you no longer meet the requirements.
Wyndham Rewards is for anyone who travels a lot – whether for business or pleasure. The combination of easy handling, fixed redemption values and generous benefits sets it apart from other programmes. For me, it is a real, often underrated highlight in the world of hotel programmes. No wonder Wyndham Rewards has won multiple awards at the Deutschen Bonus Awards.
Ulf-Gunnar Switalski …
… is a book author, editor of “Upgrade Guru“, founder of the
German Bonus Awards and constantly travels the world himself.
He has been involved with bonus programmes for customer retention and loyalty for more than 30 years.
Fotos: adobe firefly, Avis, Wyndham
