United Club vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7579", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Wyndham Loyalists"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus.

‍

• The card offers strong reward rates on gas, dining, and grocery purchases, in addition to stays at Hotels by Wyndham.
• While it comes with an annual fee, you also get automatic Wyndham Rewards PLATINUM status and pay no foreign transaction fees.
• The 7,500 bonus points you receive each anniversary year can be redeemed for a free night, nearly offsetting the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• A generous sign-up bonus to kickstart your rewards balance, with no cap on the points you can earn.
• Automatic Platinum status in the Wyndham Rewards program unlocks travel perks like early check-in and car rental upgrades.
• Cardholders receive a discount when redeeming points for free nights and pay no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card charges an annual fee but doesn't provide a free anniversary night certificate; the anniversary bonus points may not be sufficient for a free night at mid- or high-tier hotels.
• Rewards are best used for Wyndham hotel stays, as other redemption options like airline transfers generally offer poor value.
• The card is designed for travelers loyal to the Wyndham brand; those who stay with a variety of hotel chains may find its value limited.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs United Club

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, United Club or Wyndham Earner Plus, comes down to your specific travel and spending habits. One card is tailored for loyal airline passengers, while the other focuses on rewarding hotel stays and everyday purchases.

‍

• The United Club℠ Card is best for frequent United flyers and brand loyalists. It's particularly valuable for those seeking premium travel perks and who spend significantly on United-related expenses.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is ideal for those who often stay at Hotels by Wyndham and want to earn rewards on everyday spending categories. The card also rewards spending at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Club℠ Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its airline partners, as well as for travel upgrades and other experiences.

‍

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Cardholders redeem points for free or discounted nights at thousands of participating Wyndham properties, and points can also be used for gift cards and merchandise.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card’s main draw is a full United Club membership, providing access to its lounges and select Star Alliance partner lounges. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card does not offer this benefit.
• Elite Status Perks: With the Wyndham card, you automatically receive GOLD level status in the Wyndham Rewards program, unlocking perks like late checkout. The United Club card focuses on airport benefits, offering Premier Access for priority services and free checked bags on United flights.
• Travel Network: The United card’s ecosystem is built around United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners for air travel. In contrast, the Wyndham card’s network is the global portfolio of Hotels by Wyndham properties.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travel, the United Club℠ Card does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card does charge a fee for purchases made abroad.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For a data-driven approach, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending habits.

‍

• Test drive a credit card before you apply by simulating your potential earnings based on your actual spending data.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your transaction history to discover new cards.
• Manage multiple credit cards and monitor your credit score all in one platform.
• Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards when shopping at partner stores, which can be stacked on top of your existing card rewards.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

‍

The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for loyal United Airlines flyers who value premium travel experiences, such as complimentary lounge access and priority services. Business and international travelers will also find significant value in its robust benefits, including free checked bags, no foreign transaction fees, and access to Star Alliance lounges worldwide. Ultimately, anyone seeking to enhance their airport comfort or accelerate their journey toward MileagePlus Premier status should consider what The United Club℠ Card has to offer.

Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?

‍

The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for frequent guests of Wyndham properties, including its hotels, vacation rentals, and timeshares. This card is particularly valuable for brand loyalists who can maximize the high rewards rates on gas, dining, and groceries, turning everyday expenses into future stays. As detailed in a review of the card, it's best for travelers who will take advantage of the automatic Platinum status and use the annual anniversary points to offset the fee or book a free night.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our United Club vs. Wyndham Earner Plus comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, you're in luck. Plenty of other travel rewards cards might better suit your wallet and your wanderlust.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement without forcing unnecessary purchases.
• Understand the benefits - Familiarize yourself with the card’s perks to ensure they align with your travel habits.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Know the issuer's rules - Each bank has different application guidelines.
• Time your application - Align it with any large planned purchases.
• Check for pre-qualified offers - You may be able to see potential offers without a hard credit inquiry.

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

What are the annual fees for the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Wyndham Earner® Plus Card?

‍

The United Club℠ Infinite Card carries a premium annual fee, as it includes a full United Club membership. In contrast, the Wyndham Earner® Plus Card has a much more modest annual fee, reflecting its different benefit structure.

‍

Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

‍

No, only the United Club℠ Infinite Card provides comprehensive airport lounge access through its included United Club membership. The Wyndham Earner® Plus Card is focused on hotel rewards and does not offer lounge access as a benefit.

‍

What kind of travel status do I get with each card?

‍

The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers Premier Access travel services for priority treatment on United flights, including special check-in lines and boarding. The Wyndham Earner® Plus Card grants you automatic Wyndham Rewards PLATINUM status, unlocking perks like late checkout and room upgrades at their hotels.

‍