Wyndham Rewards is making travel rewards more accessible with the launch of its first-ever debit card in the U.S. Developed in collaboration with Galileo Financial Technologies, SoFi’s technology platform, and issued by Sunrise Banks, the new Mastercard-powered debit card allows users to earn Wyndham Rewards points on everyday purchases. This marks a significant shift in the hospitality industry, catering to younger consumers and those who prefer debit over credit.

The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card offers multiple benefits, including one point per dollar spent at Wyndham hotels, gas stations, and grocery stores, and one point per two dollars spent on other qualifying purchases. Cardholders also receive complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold membership, which includes perks like preferred rooms, late checkout, and accelerated points earning. Additionally, users can enjoy booking discounts, a welcome bonus of 2,500 points, and up to 7,500 anniversary bonus points annually—enough for a free night at thousands of Wyndham properties.

Charmaine Taylor, SVP of Strategic and Financial Partnerships at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the importance of the card, stating, “Many travelers, especially Gen Z, prefer debit cards but miss out on hotel rewards. With the Wyndham Rewards Debit Card, they can now earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for meaningful travel experiences.”

The decision to launch a debit card stems from research showing that nearly 70% of Gen Z consumers use debit cards weekly, with travel being a top spending priority. Wyndham’s initiative ensures that travelers who favor debit transactions are no longer left out of lucrative loyalty programs.

Powered by Galileo Financial Technologies, the card benefits from fast and secure digital banking solutions, allowing Wyndham to bring the product to market quickly. Derek White, CEO of Galileo, emphasized, “This debit card is a game-changer for travel rewards, proving that fintech can enhance customer loyalty and engagement.”

The Wyndham Rewards Debit Card complements the brand’s existing suite of credit cards while offering a new way for debit-preferred travelers to earn and redeem rewards. With waived monthly fees for qualifying balances and no ATM surcharges within the Cirrus network, the card ensures a seamless and rewarding travel experience.

For more details or to apply, visit wyndhamrewardscards.com/debit-card.

Alphadroid, a frontrunner in intelligent service robotics, made a powerful impact at AAHAR 2025 – The International Food & Hospitality Fair, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from March 4-8. In its second successful participation, Alphadroid saw a remarkable surge in industry interest, reinforcing its position as a game-changer in hospitality automation.

Tech Meets Hospitality: A New Era of Guest Experience

From luxury five-star hotels to banquets, budget hotels, and concept stays, industry professionals gathered to explore how robotics can redefine guest services and operational efficiency. Alphadroid’s intelligent service robots showcased solutions that:

• Enhance guest experiences with seamless service
• Optimize resource allocation for improved efficiency
• Streamline hotel operations for better staff productivity

Industry Leaders Embrace Automation

“It was inspiring to see the growing enthusiasm for technology in the hospitality industry,” said Pragati Tripathi, Chief of Business and Strategy at Alphadroid.

"While luxury hotels have led the way, we now see a wider industry shift—banquets, budget hotels, and concept stays are actively exploring how automation can elevate guest experiences and drive efficiency,” she added.

A Future-Ready Hospitality Industry

Alphadroid’s showcase at AAHAR 2025 cemented its reputation as a leader in service robotics, with businesses recognizing the transformative potential of AI-driven automation.

“The enthusiasm for innovation was palpable,” Tripathi stated. “We look forward to collaborating with businesses across the hospitality sector to implement our intelligent service robotics and shape the future of hospitality.”

With technology driving guest satisfaction and operational efficiency, Alphadroid is at the forefront of reshaping the hospitality experience—one intelligent robot at a time.

On2Cook, the world’s fastest and most advanced smart cooking device, is making waves at the 39th edition of AAHAR 2025, an international food and hospitality fair known for showcasing cutting-edge innovations. Designed by Indian inventor Sanandan (Sandy) Sudhir, On2Cook is redefining the way commercial kitchens operate by offering a revolutionary AI-driven cooking solution that significantly cuts down cooking time while optimizing efficiency and energy consumption.

AAHAR 2025, organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), brings together key players from the food and hospitality industry. This year, On2Cook is drawing the spotlight with its breakthrough technology, which has earned 12 patents across India, the US, the UK, and Russia. The device has already gained traction among over 50 brands, including WOW Momos, Salad Days, Pink Adrak, and Green Salad, by addressing key challenges such as space constraints, high operational costs, ventilation complexities, and ingredient wastage. Designed to streamline commercial kitchen operations, On2Cook is eliminating cost leakages and maximizing profitability for restaurants, food chains, and cloud kitchens.

Live demonstrations of the smart cooking device are currently being held at stall number 12A-19E at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from March 4 to March 8, 2025, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Restaurant owners, cloud kitchen operators, hoteliers, and food service professionals are getting a hands-on experience of how this 6-in-1 device enhances efficiency while preserving the color, texture, and nutrients of ingredients. By reducing cooking time by up to 70% and cutting energy consumption by at least 40%, On2Cook is setting a new benchmark in kitchen automation.

The innovative device, which debuted on Shark Tank India Season 1 Finale, amazed judges by preparing chicken curry in just seven minutes. Combining microwaves and induction technology, On2Cook simplifies the cooking process by eliminating the need for constant stirring with an integrated stirrer in the lid and an automated water addition system, making cooking completely hands-free. It can prepare samosas in four minutes, bake pizzas in three minutes, grill chicken in two to three minutes, steam idlis in three to four minutes, and transform frozen food into ready-to-eat meals in under five minutes. The company, On2Cook India Pvt. Ltd., is currently valued at ₹200 crore and is leading the charge in smart cooking innovation.

As an offshoot of Sanandan Sudhir’s INVENT INDIA, a startup dedicated to fostering innovation, On2Cook India Pvt. Ltd. is on a mission to revolutionize both commercial and domestic kitchens. Its AI-powered combination cooking technology ensures food is crispy on the outside and soft and well-cooked on the inside, offering the best of both traditional and modern cooking techniques. By merging microwave and induction or flame cooking, the device significantly reduces cooking time while preserving essential nutrients, texture, and flavor. With its rapid adoption and groundbreaking impact on the food industry, On2Cook is shaping the future of smart kitchens, making cooking faster, smarter, and more efficient than ever before.