• by Tanya Gazdik , February 15, 2016

Wyndham Hotel Group is interacting with guests via a new take on in-room content.

The first 19-minute episode of the series, which also is available on YouTube, is a situation comedy. The show is described as a “mockumentary meets reality TV” and is based on the Wyndham Rewards’ loyalty program, “Have Points, Will Travel.”

The show is being gradually phased in to the more than 7,500 Wyndham Rewards hotels around the world. It follows a young married couple as they travel their way down the West Coast of the U.S. with only the clothes on their backs and one million Wyndham Rewards points to get them there.

The premise is to put a new spin on showing guests how simple and rewarding a great hotel loyalty program — not to mention in-room entertainment — can be.

“It’s no secret that in-room hotel TV programming is boring," says Noah Brodsky, senior vice president of worldwide loyalty and engagement at Wyndham Hotel Group, in a release. “Most people tune it out or click it off. Talk about a missed opportunity.”

With hundreds of thousands of guests staying at the brand’s hotels every night, the format offers an equal number of opportunities to connect on a daily basis with customers, Brodsky adds. 

The series centers on newlyweds Dean and Traci, played by Stephen Visocan and Rachel Adams. With only each other, their wits and their points, the couple must make their way from destination to destination, all with the promise that by the end, whatever points they haven’t used, they get to keep.

Along the way they meet colorful characters, tackle humorous challenges, and of course, discover just how simple and easy it is to use Wyndham Rewards.

“Great brands don’t just put out ads, they speak to their customers in ways that are memorable and that resonate,” Brodsky says. “Great brands are creative, take chances and add value.” 

Episode 1 of “Have Points, Will Travel” was directed by the accomplished documentary, commercial and comedic filmmaker Josh Miller. The episode was produced by CY&N, the production arm of People Ideas & Culture (PI&C), New York City.