Wyndham Launches Revolutionary Debit Card to Reward Everyday Spending with Premium Travel Perks
(IN SHORT) The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card is a pioneering product designed to help cash-savvy travelers earn Wyndham Rewards® points on everyday purchases, targeting younger consumers and those favoring a debt-free lifestyle. Powered by Galileo Financial Technologies on SoFi’s innovative platform and issued by Sunrise Banks N.A. with Mastercard as its network partner, the card allows users to accumulate points on a wide range of transactions, from gas and groceries to dining and retail. Cardholders can redeem points for free hotel nights at over 60,000 destinations, along with enjoying exclusive perks such as complimentary Gold membership, booking discounts, welcome and annual bonuses, waived monthly fees, and ATM fee waivers. This launch complements Wyndham’s existing credit card offerings and is driven by market research that shows a strong preference among Gen Z for debit transactions and travel spending. Executives from both Galileo Financial Technologies and Mastercard emphasize the importance of innovative payment solutions in enhancing customer loyalty and travel experiences.
(PRESS RELEASE) PARSIPPANY, N.J., 2025-Mar-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Cash-conscious travelers now have an innovative way to accumulate Wyndham Rewards® points through their everyday spending with the launch of the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card—a groundbreaking offering from one of the nation’s premier hospitality brands. Tailored for younger travelers and those who favor a debt-free lifestyle, this new debit card makes earning points on routine expenses—ranging from fueling up at the gas station and grocery shopping to dining out and retail purchases—effortless. Cardholders can redeem their points for an extensive array of rewards, including complimentary nights at over 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals worldwide. In addition, other enticing perks include an automatic upgrade to Wyndham Rewards Gold membership, exclusive hotel booking discounts, a generous annual bonus in points, and more.
“We know that many travelers, especially younger consumers like Gen Z, prefer using debit cards as their primary method of payment,” explained Charmaine Taylor, SVP of Strategic and Financial Partnership at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Historically, these consumers have missed out on travel rewards. With the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card, we’re changing the game—making it possible for anyone to earn points on everyday purchases and enjoy significant rewards along the way.”
Recent studies underscore this trend, with research from EY showing nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers using debit cards frequently, and PMG findings indicating that 65% of Gen Z plan to increase their travel spending in 2025, with nearly 60% valuing loyalty programs when booking travel.
Key benefits of the new debit card include:
- Effortless Point Earning: Earn one Wyndham Rewards point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hotels by Wyndham, gas stations, and grocery stores, and one point for every two dollars spent on other qualifying transactions.
- Enhanced Status: Enjoy automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold membership, unlocking perks such as accelerated points accrual, preferred room selections, late checkouts, and more.
- Welcome Bonus: Kick off your rewards journey with a one-time bonus of 2,500 points when you open an account, make at least two direct deposits, and spend $100 within the first 90 days.
- Annual Bonus: Earn up to 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year based on your annual spending—enough for a free night at thousands of Hotels by Wyndham worldwide.
- Exclusive Booking Discounts: Benefit from reduced rates when booking stays at participating Hotels by Wyndham.
- Waived Monthly Fee: Enjoy a monthly fee of only $6, which is waived if you maintain an average balance of $2,500.
- No ATM Surcharges: Withdraw cash from any ATM within the Cirrus network without paying extra fees.
The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card is powered by Galileo Financial Technologies, leveraging SoFi’s innovative technology platform, and is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A. under a license from Mastercard, ensuring a secure and efficient payment experience.
“Traditional rewards programs often overlook debit card users, which is why this card is so revolutionary in the hospitality space,” said Derek White, CEO of Galileo Financial Technologies. “Our integrated platform, combining card issuing, processing, digital banking, and program management, enabled Wyndham to roll out this innovative product in just a few months. It’s a clear demonstration of how technology can strengthen customer relationships and drive revenue.”
Chiro Aikat, Co-President of the United States at Mastercard, added, “Brands today are searching for payment solutions that deepen consumer loyalty and enhance their connection with customers. The new Wyndham Rewards Debit Card delivers on that promise by providing rewards and benefits tailored to enrich the travel experience.”
This new debit card complements Wyndham’s established suite of credit cards—such as the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card, and Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card—which offer premium rewards for road trippers and business travelers alike. With incentives like up to 8x points on gas and hotel stays, 5x on business expenses, and 4x on dining and groceries, these cards continue to provide significant value to their users.
For additional details on the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card and its benefits, including account opening information, please visit wyndhamrewardscards.com/debit-card. Terms and conditions apply.
Banking services are provided by Sunrise Banks N.A., a Member FDIC. The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A. under license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Account Agreement.
About Wyndham Rewards
Part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), the world’s largest hotel franchising company, Wyndham Rewards is the #1 hotel rewards program as named by both U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. Members—approximately 114 million enrolled around the world—earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem for free nights starting at just 7,500 points. With more than 60,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally, no other hotel rewards program is more generous or offers members more places to stay. Join for free at WyndhamRewards.com.
About Galileo Financial Technologies
Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC and certain of its affiliates collectively comprise a financial technology company owned and operated independently by SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI) that enables fintechs, financial institutions, and emerging and established brands to build differentiated financial solutions that deliver exceptional, customer-centric experiences. Through modern, open APIs, Galileo’s flexible, secure, scalable and fully integrated platform drives innovation across payments and financial services. Trusted by digital banking heavyweights, early-stage innovators and enterprise clients alike, Galileo supports issuing physical and virtual payment cards, mobile push provisioning, tailored and differentiated financial products and more, across industries and geographies.
©2025 Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC is a technology company, not a bank. Galileo partners with many issuing banks to provide banking services in North and Latin America.
About Sunrise Banks
Sunrise Banks is no ordinary bank; we strive to be a place where money and values meet for our customers and our communities. We do this by prioritizing social responsibility, community impact and environmental sustainability alongside our essential financial products and services. Sunrise Banks is certified by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a designation earned by approximately 100 banks nationwide. Sunrise Banks is also a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and a certified B Corp for its demonstrated commitment to transparent corporate governance and positive community impact. Visit sunrisebanks.com to learn more. Member FDIC.
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