Planning your dream vacation should be exciting, not stressful. Travel Bundles, especially Wyndham Travel Bundles, offer a convenient way to book flights and hotels together, often at discounted rates. However, like any great travel deal, it’s crucial to understand the fine print. This guide breaks down the essential terms and conditions governing Wyndham Travel Bundles, ensuring you travel smart and confidently.
Understanding Wyndham Travel Bundles
Wyndham Travel Bundles, offered through a platform operated by Snowstorm Technologies (UK) Limited in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, are designed to save you money by combining hotel stays with flights. These bundles often feature “WTB Rates,” which are prepaid hotel rates offering a discount off the standard hotel rate. Before you jump into booking, it’s important to be aware of the platform’s operational framework and the legal agreements in place.
Key Terms and Conditions Explained
Navigating legal jargon can be daunting. Let’s simplify the critical aspects of the terms and conditions associated with Wyndham Travel Bundles:
Disclaimers of Liability: What You Need to Know
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts utilizes a third-party platform (Snowstorm Technologies) to deliver these travel bundles. This means the platform and its content are provided “as is.” Wyndham Hotels & Resorts explicitly disclaims warranties regarding the platform’s operation, content accuracy, or availability of the lowest prices. Essentially, they are providing the platform but are not liable for every single aspect of its function or guarantees of absolute best pricing.
What does this mean for you?
- Platform Functionality: While Wyndham aims for a smooth experience, they aren’t liable for every technical glitch on the platform.
- Price Guarantee: Don’t expect a guarantee of the absolute lowest price available anywhere. The “discount” is relative to their Standard Rate.
- Third-Party Providers: Wyndham uses independent Travel Providers (hotels, airlines, car rentals). They are not responsible for the actions or omissions of these providers.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and its related parties (officers, directors, employees, etc.) are not liable for various types of damages, including direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform.
Travel Providers’ Independence
It’s crucial to understand that Travel Providers are independent entities, not agents or employees of Wyndham. Therefore, Wyndham is not liable for issues arising from a Travel Provider’s actions, such as:
- Injury, damage, or loss caused by a hotel or airline.
- Delays or accidents due to a Travel Provider’s fault.
Your Responsibilities as a User
By using the Wyndham Travel Bundle platform, you agree to:
- Adhere to the terms and conditions set by each Travel Provider (e.g., payment schedules, usage rules).
- Understand that violating a Travel Provider’s terms can lead to canceled bookings, denied services, or forfeited payments.
- Be solely responsible for all charges, fees, taxes, and assessments related to your bookings.
You further agree that Wyndham will not be liable for damages arising from the performance or non-performance of any Travel Provider.
Wyndham Travel Bundles Prepaid Hotel Rates (WTB Rates)
WTB Rates are a core component of Wyndham Travel Bundles, offering discounted hotel stays when booked in combination with flights. Here’s a deeper look:
Standard Rate vs. WTB Rate
- Standard Rate: The best publicly available, unrestricted rate you’d find on Wyndham’s websites or app.
- WTB Rate: A discounted rate off the Standard Rate, exclusively for travel bundles. Wyndham Rewards members typically receive an even greater discount on WTB Rates compared to non-members.
Booking Conditions for WTB Rates
- Bundle Booking: WTB Rates are only available when booked as part of a travel bundle with one or more flights.
- Prepaid and Non-refundable (after 24 hours): Full payment is required at booking. Reservations become non-cancelable and non-refundable 24 hours after booking. This is a critical point to note for your travel planning.
- Availability and Restrictions: WTB Rates are subject to availability, blackout dates, and may not be offered at all hotels or at all times. Additional restrictions, such as room type limitations and advance booking deadlines, can vary by hotel. Always check the specific property details.
- Individual Bookings: WTB Rates are for individual bookings only and cannot be applied to existing reservations. They can be changed or discontinued at any time.
What’s Included and Excluded in WTB Rates?
WTB Rates cover the room rate but typically do not include:
- Resort/service fees
- Taxes
- Incidentals
- Gratuities
- Additional per room, per night charges
Always confirm the final price, including all applicable fees and taxes, at the time of reservation.
Earning Wyndham Rewards Points with Travel Bundles
Even when booking travel bundles, you can still earn Wyndham Rewards points! Here’s how:
- Hotel Stays: At most participating hotels, you earn 10 points per dollar spent on the room rate, or 1,000 points, whichever is greater, per qualifying stay. WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham hotels offer 5 points per dollar on furnished suites. Points are generally earned on the room rate only, excluding Free Night stays.
- Flights and Car Rentals: Points are earned on the base airfare/rate for flights and car rentals booked through Wyndham Travel Bundles, excluding taxes, fees, and incidentals. The earning ratios for car rentals and activities booked via the travel bundles website might differ from those elsewhere.
Important Note: Wyndham Rewards does not guarantee that booking travel components through the travel bundles website will yield the highest possible points earning compared to booking separately.
Navigating Travel Bundle Terms for a Smooth Trip
Understanding these terms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are a few tips for a smoother booking experience:
- Read Carefully: Take the time to review the full terms and conditions before booking.
- Check Cancellation Policies: Pay close attention to the 24-hour cancellation window for WTB Rates.
- Verify Total Costs: Ensure you understand the total cost, including all fees and taxes, before finalizing your booking.
- Wyndham Rewards Benefits: If you’re a Wyndham Rewards member, leverage your membership for potentially greater discounts and point earnings.
- Compare Rates: While travel bundles can offer savings, it’s always wise to briefly compare the bundled price against booking components separately to ensure you’re getting the best value for your specific needs.
Conclusion
Wyndham Travel Bundles can be a fantastic way to save on your next trip. By understanding the terms and conditions, especially regarding liability, prepaid hotel rates, and cancellation policies, you can book with confidence and enjoy your vacation knowing you’ve made an informed decision. Happy travels!
