Wyndham Rewards brought together travel, hospitality and running at the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, serving as the event's official hotel partner and giving members opportunities to turn their loyalty points into a race weekend experience.

Held in Melbourne, the festival brought together runners, supporters and members of the wider running community. Wyndham Rewards' participation extended beyond accommodation, with race weekend packages, post-race hospitality and interactive activities designed to make the event more memorable for participants.

The programme brought together more than 40 Wyndham-nominated runners, including members who had bid on race weekend packages, hotel owners, senior company leaders, local running club members, content creators and consumer advocates.

Turning Loyalty Points into Race Experiences

Ahead of the festival, Wyndham Rewards members could use their points to bid on race weekend packages through the global Wyndham Rewards Experiences platform. The packages combined race participation with accommodation and other experiences, allowing members to use their accumulated points towards a personal sporting goal.

For participating members, the experience offered an opportunity to explore Melbourne, connect with fellow runners and complete their races at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The initiative highlights how hotel loyalty programmes can extend beyond traditional room redemptions by connecting members with experiences that reflect their personal interests. Through its Experiences platform, Wyndham Rewards offers members opportunities to bid on access to live events and other special occasions.

Post-Race Hospitality at the MCG

Following the races, the Very Important Runners (VIR) Lounge, presented by Wyndham Rewards at the MCG, provided a dedicated space for eligible guests to recover and unwind.

Those with VIR hospitality access could make use of post-race massages and dedicated facilities to freshen up after completing their runs.

The Wyndham Rewards Partner Hub offered additional activities for runners and spectators, including a recovery area, a photo booth and wellbeing trivia games, with points and giveaways available to participants.

These activities extended the brand's presence beyond the race itself, creating opportunities for runners, families and supporters to participate in the festival atmosphere.

Commenting on the initiative, Eyvonne Lin, Vice President, Marketing & Commercial Performance, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Crossing the finish line is a personal achievement, made even more meaningful by the people who support you along the way. Through Wyndham Rewards, we want to be part of the moments our members look forward to, whether that is a getaway, a special experience, or a race they have spent months preparing for. When members can use their points for meaningful occasions like these, membership becomes more relevant beyond the hotel stay."

Extending the Running Spirit Beyond Melbourne

Ahead of race weekend, Wyndham Rewards also ran the #RunWithWyndham Four-Week Challenge on Facebook and Instagram. The initiative invited participants to complete weekly distance goals from their own locations, extending the festival's running theme beyond Melbourne.

Individual prizes of up to 45,000 Wyndham Rewards points were available, providing another opportunity for participants to engage with the loyalty programme.

Through its Experiences platform and event partnerships, Wyndham Rewards is seeking to connect membership with travel, entertainment and personal interests. Members can use points towards eligible stays and bid on experiences, creating additional reasons to travel beyond a conventional hotel visit.

Membership in Wyndham Rewards is free, with details available at WyndhamRewards.com.

About Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards is the loyalty programme of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, with more than 126 million enrolled members worldwide, according to the company. Members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and can redeem points for free nights at participating hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals, starting at 7,500 points.

Through Wyndham Rewards Experiences, members can also bid on live events and other special experiences using points. The programme additionally offers Wyndham Rewards Insider, a travel subscription providing savings and benefits across travel-related services.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest hotel franchising companies, with approximately 8,400 hotels across around 100 countries and six continents. Its portfolio comprises 25 hotel brands and more than 873,000 franchised and affiliated rooms, with a presence across the economy and midscale lodging segments.

The company's brands include Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Microtel, La Quinta, Baymont, Wingate, AmericInn, ECHO Suites, Registry Collection Hotels, Trademark Collection and Wyndham.