Key Points:
- Choice Privileges is offering targeted members up to a 35% bonus when purchasing points through April 28, 2026, bringing the cost down to 0.76 cents per point.
- This deal isn't the strongest we've seen from Choice Hotels, but it can still deliver value for specific redemptions, especially at higher-category properties where suites cost the same as standard rooms.
- Since Choice doesn't publish points online, you'll want to calculate your exact cost per night before buying to ensure you're getting better value than paying cash.
Introduction
Choice Privileges members with a targeted bonus offer can buy points at a discount right now. Through April 28, 2026, you can purchase Choice points with up to a 35% bonus, which reduces the effective cost to 0.76 cents per point when you buy 18,000 points or more.
While this isn't Choice's most aggressive promotion (we've seen bonuses as high as 100%), it's worth evaluating if you have a specific redemption in mind. Here's what you need to know to decide whether this deal makes sense for your travel plans.
The Current Choice Privileges Buy Points Promotion
This is a targeted offer, so not all Choice Privileges members will see it. If you have access to the promotion, here's how the tiered bonus structure works:
- 1,000 to 7,000 points: No bonus (standard pricing)
- 8,000 to 17,000 points: 30% bonus
- 18,000+ points: 35% bonus (brings cost down to 0.76 cents per point)
You can purchase up to 180,000 points before the bonus during this promotion, which means up to 243,000 total points (including the 35% bonus) in a single transaction.
The promotion runs through April 28, 2026, and points purchases are processed through Points.com.
What This Actually Costs
When you buy 18,000 or more points during this promotion, you're paying:
- $0.00763 per point after the bonus
- About $137.40 for 18,000 points (which becomes 24,300 points after the 35% bonus)
- Maximum purchase of 180,000 points = $1,373.40 (becomes 243,000 points after bonus)
For context, we value Choice Privileges points at 0.6 cents apiece in our hotel points valuations. That means you're buying points at a premium to their average value. However, specific redemptions can deliver much better value than this average.
Is Buying Choice Points Worth It?
Let's be direct: buying points at 0.76 cents each when they're worth an average of 0.6 cents doesn't make mathematical sense unless you have a specific redemption that beats this cost.
Here's how to determine if this deal works for you:
Step 1: Find Your Redemption Value
Choice Hotels doesn't publish award charts online, so you'll need to:
- Search for your specific hotel and dates at ChoiceHotels.com
- Note the points price for a standard room
- Compare it to the cash price for the same dates
Step 2: Calculate Your Effective Value
Let's say you find a Cambria Hotel that costs:
- Cash price: $250 per night
- Award price: 25,000 points
Your effective point value: $250 ÷ 25,000 = 1 cent per point
Since you can buy points at 0.76 cents each during this promotion, you'd save $61 per night ($250 cash price vs. 25,000 points × $0.0076 = $190).
Step 3: Don't Forget the Hidden Perks
Choice awards include benefits that add value beyond the base room rate:
- No extra guest fees (unlike cash bookings that often charge for additional guests)
- Suites cost the same as standard rooms on award stays
- Points nights earn Choice Privileges points (usually 10 points per dollar of the base rate)
If you're traveling with family or planning to book suites, these perks can tip the value equation significantly in favor of buying points.
Where Choice Points Deliver the Best Value
Choice Privileges operates over 7,500 properties worldwide across 15 different brands, from budget options like Econo Lodge to upscale properties in the Ascend Hotel Collection. Here's where buying points makes the most sense:
High-End Properties in Expensive Markets
Example redemption: Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown in Portland, Oregon
- Cash rate on a Saturday night in summer: Often $300+
- Award rate: 25,000-30,000 points
- Your effective cost buying at 0.76 cents: $190-$228
- Savings: $72-$110+ per night
Higher-category properties (25,000-35,000 points per night) in expensive cities offer the best value because you're paying the same fixed points cost while the cash rates fluctuate dramatically.
Suite Redemptions
This is where Choice points really shine. A one-bedroom suite at a Cambria or Ascend property costs the exact same points as a standard room.
Real-world example:
- Cambria Hotel suite cash price: $400
- Award price: Same 25,000 points as a standard room
- Your cost at 0.76 cents per point: $190
- Value per point: 1.6 cents
- Savings: $210
If you're booking suites anyway, the math changes completely.
International Properties
Choice has been aggressively expanding overseas, with properties in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Points costs remain consistent globally, but cash prices in places like Scandinavia or Switzerland can be exceptionally high.
Strategy: Look for Ascend Hotel Collection properties in expensive international markets where cash rates regularly exceed $300 but award stays remain in the 25,000-35,000 point range.
Strategies for Maximizing This Offer
1. Buy Exactly What You Need
Don't buy 180,000 points just because you can. Calculate your specific redemption needs first, then buy only enough to reach the 18,000-point minimum for the 35% bonus.
2. Combine with Credit Card Points
You can transfer Citi ThankYou points to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio. If you have ThankYou points from cards like the Citi Premier, consider using those first, then buying only the additional points you need.
Wells Fargo Rewards also transfer to Choice at 1:2, making the Wells Fargo Autograph another option for earning transferable points that become Choice points.
3. Stack with Choice Credit Card Spending
The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® earns 5x points per dollar at eligible Choice Hotels, plus 3x at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services.
The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® bumps this to 10x points per dollar at Choice properties.
If you're planning multiple Choice stays and buying points, applying for one of these cards first can help you accumulate points through organic spending, reducing how many you need to purchase.
4. Book Refundable Cash Rates First
Before pulling the trigger on a points purchase, book your intended stay with a refundable cash rate. This locks in the room while you:
- Watch for flash sales or promotional rates
- See if a better points offer emerges
- Ensure the property hasn't sold out
If the cash rate drops or a better option appears, cancel and adjust your strategy.
How This Compares to Past Choice Promotions
Choice runs buy points promotions frequently, but the bonus percentage varies significantly:
- 100% bonus (0.5 cents per point): The best deal we've seen, making purchased points cheaper than our average valuation
- 60-70% bonus (0.59-0.63 cents per point): Strong offers that make sense for most redemptions
- 35% bonus (0.76 cents per point): This current offer – only makes sense for high-value redemptions
- 0-20% bonus: Skip these unless you're just topping off your account for a specific booking
Bottom line: This isn't the time to speculatively buy Choice points. Only purchase if you have a specific redemption planned that delivers better value than the 0.76 cent cost.
Other Ways to Earn Choice Privileges Points
Instead of buying points during this mediocre promotion, consider these alternatives:
Transfer from Credit Card Programs
Citi ThankYou Points → Choice Privileges at 1:2 ratio
If you have ThankYou points, this can be more valuable than buying points directly:
- 10,000 ThankYou points = 20,000 Choice points
- ThankYou points valued at ~1.7 cents each = $170 worth of value
- Same 20,000 Choice points would cost $152 to buy at 0.76 cents each
- Net effect: You're getting better value from ThankYou points unless your redemption is exceptionally strong
Wells Fargo Rewards → Choice Privileges at 1:2 ratio
Similar math applies. Only transfer if your Choice redemption delivers more than the value of keeping points in your Wells Fargo account.
Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
Both Choice-branded cards offer welcome bonuses:
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®: Currently offering welcome bonuses that vary by timing. Check current offers before applying.
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®: Higher annual fee but more robust earning structure and typically a larger welcome bonus.
Stay Activity
As a Choice Privileges member, you earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying room rates. This adds up quickly if you're traveling for work or taking multiple trips.
Elite status tiers offer bonus earnings:
- Gold: 20% bonus points
- Platinum: 40% bonus points
- Diamond: 60% bonus points
Shopping Portals and Dining Programs
Choice Privileges partners with various shopping portals and has a dining program called "Eat & Earn" that awards points for dining at participating restaurants.
While these aren't huge point generators, they're easy ways to accumulate Choice points from everyday spending without buying them.
Smart Redemption Tips When Using Purchased Points
Since you're paying real money for these points, maximize every redemption:
Request Suites or Upgrades
You've already paid for a room, so always ask about complimentary suite upgrades when checking in. Choice properties are often willing to upgrade elite members or even standard members when availability permits.
Since suites cost the same points as standard rooms on award stays, confirming a suite upgrade turns your 0.76 cent per point purchase into an even better value.
Book Fifth Night Free on Multi-Night Stays
Wait – Choice doesn't offer this. But they do occasionally run "stay multiple nights, earn bonus points" promotions that can add value to longer award bookings.
Stack with Promotions
Choice regularly runs promotions offering bonus points for stays, sometimes as high as 3,000-5,000 bonus points per night. If you're booking an award stay during a promotion period, you'll still earn these bonus points, effectively reducing the net cost of your purchased points.
When This Deal Makes Sense (Decision Framework)
BUY POINTS if:
- You have a specific booking at a high-end Choice property
- The cash rate exceeds $200+ per night
- You need a suite (since they cost the same points)
- Your effective value exceeds 0.85 cents per point
- You don't have Citi ThankYou or Wells Fargo points to transfer instead
SKIP THIS OFFER if:
- You're buying points "just in case"
- The properties you want are in the 15,000-20,000 point range with cash rates under $150
- You have transferable points from Citi or Wells Fargo
- You can wait for a better promotion (50%+ bonus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Choice Privileges points expire?
Yes, but the expiration policy is generous. Points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Any qualifying activity – stays, credit card spending, shopping portal purchases, or even buying points – resets the clock.
Can I combine purchased points with points I already have?
Absolutely. Purchased points deposit directly into your account and combine with any existing balance. There's no distinction between earned and purchased points.
Is there a limit to how many points I can buy?
During this promotion, you can purchase up to 180,000 points (before the bonus), which becomes 243,000 points after the 35% bonus. Choice's general limit outside of promotions is 120,000 points per calendar year.
Will purchased points count toward elite status?
No. Only points earned from eligible stays, credit card spending, and qualifying activities count toward Choice Privileges elite status. Purchased points don't contribute to status qualification.
Can I gift or transfer Choice points?
Yes, Choice allows point transfers between members. You can transfer up to 100,000 points per transaction for a fee. This can be useful if you're buying points for someone else's trip.
What credit card should I use to buy Choice points?
Since Points.com (which processes these transactions) doesn't code as travel, use an everyday spending card. Best options:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: 1.5% cash back
- Citi Double Cash® Card: 2% cash back
- Capital One Venture X: 2x miles
- Wells Fargo Autograph℠: 1x point, transfers to Choice at 1:2
The Wells Fargo Autograph is particularly interesting here since you can earn 1x point on the purchase, then transfer those points to Choice at 1:2 if you need a few more points later.
How quickly do purchased points post?
Typically within 24-48 hours, though it can occasionally take up to a week. Don't wait until the day before your check-in to buy points for an award booking.
Final Thoughts: Skip or Buy?
This 35% bonus brings Choice points down to 0.76 cents each, which is only worth buying if you have a specific high-value redemption planned. With Choice offering bonuses as high as 100% in the past year, this promotion is mediocre at best.
Our recommendation: Skip this offer unless you meet all these criteria:
- You have a specific booking in mind
- The property costs 25,000+ points per night
- The cash rate exceeds $225 per night
- You've verified the points price won't change before your stay
- You don't have Citi ThankYou or Wells Fargo points to transfer instead
If you're just looking to accumulate Choice points for future travel, wait for a better promotion or focus on earning points through Choice co-branded credit cards, category spending, and transferable points programs.
For travelers with immediate needs at the right properties, this offer can save money compared to cash rates. Just run the math first, factor in the suite benefit if applicable, and make sure you're genuinely getting a deal before clicking purchase.
Ready to book your Choice Hotels stay? Make sure to calculate your redemption value first and compare it against the cost of purchasing points.
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