Wyndham Goes High Impact, Low Contact with New Mobile App: Introduces Lightning Book and In-Stay Features with Drive-to Travel on the Rise

Rhea-AI Summary

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of its new mobile app, now available on iOS and Android. The app prioritizes low-contact features like mobile check-in/check-out at nearly 6,000 hotels in the U.S., addressing the demands of travelers during the pandemic. Key features include Lightning Book, Digital Room Key, and personalized offers, enhancing user experience and simplifying hotel bookings.

Positive

• Launch of the new mobile app enhances customer experience by offering low-contact features during the pandemic.
• Mobile check-in/check-out is planned for 6,000 hotels, increasing operational efficiency.
• Features like Lightning Book simplify booking for travelers, driving potential customer engagement.
• The app supports Wyndham's strategy to meet rising demand for safe travel solutions.

Negative

• None.

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries, today announced the arrival of its new mobile app for iOS and Android, combining best-in-class design with personal experiences, account management, gamification and more.

Available today in both platforms' app stores, the new app—which prioritizes low-contact in-stay features and is slated to be the first to offer mobile check-in and checkout at nearly 6,000 economy and midscale hotels in the U.S.—comes at a critical time as both travelers and hoteliers look for innovative, digital solutions to help navigate the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

"More than ever, travelers are seeking drive-to accommodations and Wyndham offers the power of established brands that they know and trust—brands like La Quinta® by Wyndham, Days Inn® by Wyndham and Super 8® by Wyndham," said Jessica Davidson, senior vice president, Digital, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "For everyday travelers, especially those traveling during the pandemic, this app is a game changer, delivering the features guests expect today alongside a robust foundation for the future."

Delivering Simplicity and Innovation for the Everyday Traveler
Chief among the key offerings in the new Wyndham mobile app are features and functionality that simplify the hotel booking process while reducing direct contact between travelers and hotel staff.

• Mobile Check-In / Checkout – Available at nearly 300 hotels throughout the U.S., with plans to expand to nearly 6,000 hotels before end of year, guests can leverage mobile check-in and checkout to reduce contact between themselves and hotel staff.
  
  
• Lightning Book^SM – Designed for road trippers and road warriors, guests can search for and book the nearest Wyndham hotel for the night in as a few as three taps. They can also see in real time their proximity from the hotel and book using Wyndham Rewards® points, should they prefer to do so.
  
  
• Digital Room Key – Coming later this year to select resorts like the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Fla. and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, P.R., guests may choose to receive their room key digitally via their mobile phone and use throughout the duration of their stay. Expansion to other hotels and resorts is anticipated over the next 12 months as additional locations choose to leverage and implement.

Creating an Immersive Experience
Building on the app's core features is a fully reimagined user experience that is filled with personal touches while anticipating and adapting to users' real-time needs based on where they are and what they want to do.

• In-Stay Mode – Open the mobile app within three days of a stay and the home screen defaults to prioritize and display information that's of the most relevance to the guest, such as important stay details, front desk texting, local attractions, mobile check-in availability and more.
  
  
• My App Passport – Guests can track their engagements with memorable stamps, animations and more when they achieve select in-app accomplishments such as booking a stay or redeeming points. New stamps and achievements are expected to be added over time.
  
  
• Special Offers – Open the mobile app without an immediate, upcoming or current stay and guests are greeted by name along with their current Wyndham Rewards point balance, search functionality and the latest promotional offers. Guests can learn more with a single tap and register for offers just as easily.
  
  
• Account Management – Guests can make the most of their travels with simple and intuitive account management, including the ability to easily update their Wyndham Rewards member profiles and stay preferences, add preferred methods of payment, view previous and upcoming stays, check their personalized offers, purchase points and more.

Added Davidson, "Our new app could not have arrived at a more critical time. The pandemic has propelled digital adoption and travelers now expect streamlined, low-contact experiences. This app allows our thousands of franchisees to help deliver upon those expectations, while providing the easiest and fastest possible path to booking direct. It's a win-win both for our guests and for our franchisees."

The new Wyndham Hotels & Resorts mobile app is available today for download in both the Apple App and Google Play stores. To learn more, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com/app.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of 813,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry.  The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 84 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

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SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

FAQ

What new features does Wyndham's mobile app offer for WH stockholders?

The new Wyndham app offers features like mobile check-in/check-out, Lightning Book for quick bookings, and digital room keys, enhancing customer engagement and convenience.

How does the new app impact Wyndham Hotels & Resorts during the pandemic?

The app addresses traveler safety concerns by promoting low-contact interactions, aligning with current market demands.

When will mobile check-in and check-out be available at Wyndham hotels for WH?

Mobile check-in and check-out will be available at nearly 6,000 Wyndham hotels in the U.S. by the end of the year.

How can guests book hotels quickly using Wyndham's new app?

With the Lightning Book feature, guests can book nearby Wyndham hotels in just a few taps, streamlining the booking process.

What is the significance of the new app for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' business strategy?

The app is part of Wyndham's strategy to enhance customer experience and adapt to increased demand for digital solutions in the hospitality sector.