In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Michael Shiwdin, Group Vice President of Guest Engagement, Loyalty, and Strategic Partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to explore how the brand behind 24 hotel names is transforming travel rewards into something far more experiential and emotional.
From turning points into Applebee’s and Panera Bread perks, to launching exclusive VIP auctions with the NFL, Wyndham is rewriting the playbook for loyalty—and it’s not just about free nights anymore.
Michael unpacks how Wyndham is:
- Making loyalty programs more flexible, fun, and family-friendly
- Tapping into partnerships that meet travelers where they already live, dine, and play
- Prioritizing “memory-making” over pure redemption value
- Building a program that speaks to value-conscious families, Gen Z adventurers, and road-trip superfans alike
- Creating an ecosystem where points mean more than transactions—they mean stories
Whether you're a travel nerd, loyalty junkie, or just curious about what’s next in hospitality, this episode offers a front-row seat to how Wyndham is making travel feel more personal, playful, and accessible than ever.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.