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

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card a compelling choice for brand loyalists.

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• The card offers generous rewards on everyday purchases, with accelerated earnings on gas, dining, and groceries.
• Cardholders automatically receive Wyndham Rewards PLATINUM status, which includes valuable perks like early check-in and car rental upgrades.
• The 7,500 bonus points you receive each anniversary year nearly offset the card's $75 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Flexible rewards that can be redeemed for hotel stays, transferred to airline partners, or used for gift cards.
• A discount on points redeemed for award nights, helping you earn free stays faster.

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Cons

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• An annual fee is charged to keep the card.
• The anniversary bonus is awarded as points, which may not be enough for a free night at higher-tier properties.
• Rewards offer the best value when redeemed within the Wyndham ecosystem, making them less flexible for other travel.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding between a co-branded airline card and a hotel card can be tricky, so let's break down which is better, United Explorer or Wyndham Earner Plus, based on your travel style.

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• United℠ Explorer Card is designed for frequent travelers who are loyal to United Airlines. It provides the most value to those who fly the airline several times a year and can take advantage of its airline-specific perks.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is a hotel credit card best suited for frequent guests of Wyndham properties. Travelers who regularly stay at Wyndham hotels, vacation rentals, or timeshares will benefit most from this card.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Miles earned with this card are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its airline partners. You can also use miles for other travel purchases like seat upgrades or airport lounge access.

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Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Points are redeemed for free or discounted nights at the vast portfolio of Wyndham properties, which includes hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals. Points can also be used for tours, activities, and gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card’s benefits are centered on the flying experience. Cardholders receive two one-time United Club℠ passes annually, a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and a companion on the same booking, and priority boarding. It also has no foreign transaction fees and may provide a statement credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fee.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Perks for this card are focused on the hotel stay. It grants automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, which includes benefits like early check-in and late checkout. This card does have a foreign transaction fee and does not offer airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare thousands of cards and get personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your actual spending history, without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your transaction history to find the best card for your unique spending patterns.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
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Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can offset the annual fee with just one round-trip flight. It also appeals to travelers who value expedited security screening, thanks to its statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and those who travel abroad, due to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is designed for budget-conscious individuals with good to excellent credit who seek significant travel perks without committing to a premium-tier annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?

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The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for frequent guests of Wyndham properties, including their hotels, vacation rentals, and timeshares. This card is ideal for those looking to maximize rewards on Wyndham stays and everyday spending at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores. According to a card review, it's also a great fit for travelers who value automatic Platinum elite status and the 7,500 anniversary points awarded each year.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs Wyndham Earner Plus comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion for your wallet, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other top-tier travel cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score.Most rewards cards require good to excellent creditworthiness for approval.
• Plan your spending.Ensure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements without going over your budget.
• Understand the benefits.Review the card’s perks and any activation requirements to confirm they align with your habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Review issuer rules.Some banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open within a certain period.
• Consider co-branded cards carefully.Cards like the United℠ Explorer Card or Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card are most valuable if you're loyal to the brand.
• Time your application.Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet a welcome offer spending requirement naturally.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for someone who doesn't fly United Airlines often?

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The Wyndham Earner Plus Card would likely be a better fit, as its rewards are focused on Wyndham hotel stays and gas purchases, which are more broadly applicable than airline-specific benefits.

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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and Wyndham Rewards?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the United MileagePlus and Wyndham Rewards programs. Each card earns rewards within its own separate loyalty ecosystem.

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What is the primary travel benefit of the United Explorer Card?

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The standout travel benefit for the United Explorer Card is the first checked bag free for the primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation when flying United.

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Does the Wyndham Earner Plus Card offer elite status?

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Yes, the Wyndham Earner Plus Card automatically grants you Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, which includes perks like early check-in and bonus points on stays.

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