I've been trying to get a handle on the best way to rent a motel, when a Wyndham resort is not available or convenient for a trip. Here's my opinion.
As a Club Wyndham member, you are entitled to Perks by Club Wyndham. I think you should get a free perks membership. (My disclaimer: I've just started managing my Dad's Wyndham VIP Platinum, so I'm coming into this in the middle of things and with Platinum perks, but pretty sure his perks account was free).
When I go into Wyndham Perks (perksbyclubwyndham.com), I can search for a motel room. It eventually takes me to Wyndham Rewards, using a perks promotion code and corp code. Looks to me like the rates, using dollars, are 10-20% less than what I can book using dollars in the Wyndham Rewards program or with travelocity.
Booking a room with Wyndham Rewards points looks like it takes a lot of points (and I didn't understand exactly how to get them (thanks for the explanation learnalot) (although somehow my Dad has about 5000, go figure). Maybe from going to presentations or giving referrals?
There is also Preferred Hotel Pricing, available from the Wyndham home page (drop down under At Your Service). I'm not impressed with this, rates are higher than Perks or Rewards.
So there are (at least) 4 ways to book a room:
#1 Wyndham Resorts -- using your Wyndham use points
#2 Perks by Club Wyndham -- using dollars -- best rates
#3 Wyndham Rewards -- using Wyndham Rewards points. See learnalot's post for info on these, I also think you can have a card where you earn them or can get rewards if someone goes to a presentation. Not sure, I'm not interested in this. Can also book for dollars instead of Wyndham Rewards points (not as cheap as Perks).
#4 Preferred Hotel Pricing. Book with dollars, higher than Perks or Rewards
Why are we so confused? This requires 3 different logins. #1 is your Wyndham login. #2 is a separate account (perks userid and password) so is #3 (a rewards account with separate userid, and password). #4 is accessed from your Wyndham Home Page (don't think any additional logins needed, however you need to use special discount code 100008722).
Oh and at least 3 different web sites, although several end up at the Wyndham Rewards site.
Recurring theme throughout TUG - use your Wyndham usage points to reserve Wyndham resorts. Using for anything else, is just not good use of your points. My Dad was using them for cruises, etc. I've been renting his excess points, now he can use the dollars from the rentals for his cruises, etc. Best use of his Wyndham points. IMHO.