Key Points

• Choice Privileges offers free nights starting at 6,000 points with properties in 45+ countries.
• Elite status is easier to earn than major chains, requiring just 15 nights for Gold and 40 for Platinum.
• The Choice Privileges credit cards provide up to 10x points per dollar and annual free nights.

Introduction

Choice Privileges operates 7,000+ properties across 45 countries with some of the most accessible redemption rates in the industry. Free nights start at just 6,000 points, elite status requires far fewer stays than premium chains, and the co-branded credit cards deliver strong earning rates without high annual fees. Here's everything you need to maximize Choice Privileges for budget-conscious travel.

What Is Choice Privileges?

Choice Privileges is the loyalty program for Choice Hotels International, covering 22 brands from economy to upscale properties.

Key Choice Hotels Brands:

• Comfort Inn & Comfort Suites
• Quality Inn
• Clarion Hotels
• Sleep Inn
• Cambria Hotels
• MainStay Suites
• Econo Lodge
• Ascend Hotel Collection

The program is straightforward: earn 10 points per dollar on stays, redeem points for free nights, and work toward elite status for additional perks.

How to Earn Choice Privileges Points

Earning Points from Hotel Stays

Members earn 10 points per dollar spent on eligible room rates and incidentals at Choice properties. Elite members earn bonus points on top of this base rate.

Choice Privileges Credit Cards

Choice offers two co-branded Mastercard options through Wells Fargo that significantly boost your earning potential.

Choice Privileges Mastercard

• 5x points per $1 at Choice Hotels
• 3x points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• Annual free night certificate after account anniversary
• No annual fee

Choice Privileges Select Mastercard

• 10x points per $1 at Choice Hotels
• 5x points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• Two annual free night certificates after account anniversary
• $99 annual fee

The math on these cards is straightforward. The Select card costs $99 annually but provides two free night certificates instead of one. If you value each certificate at the minimum redemption of 6,000 points (worth roughly $48 based on 0.8 cents per point), you're getting $96 in value from the certificates alone. Add the higher earning rates, and the Select card makes sense for anyone spending more than $2,000 annually at Choice properties.

For comparison, if you're researching the best hotel credit cards, Choice cards offer better category multipliers on everyday spending than most hotel-branded cards, though they lack the premium perks of cards like the Hilton Aspire or Marriott Brilliant.

Transfer Partners and Shopping Portals

Choice Privileges doesn't have airline or hotel transfer partners. You can earn additional points through Your Extras Rewards shopping portal (2-10 points per dollar at 1,500+ retailers) and partner earnings like Avis and Budget rentals (500 points per qualifying rental).

How Choice Privileges Elite Status Works

Choice has three elite tiers with significantly easier qualification requirements than major chains like Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt.

Gold Elite Status (15 Nights)

Requirements:

• 15 qualifying nights per calendar year
• OR 3,000 qualifying points earned from stays

Benefits:

• 20% bonus points on all stays (2 points per dollar)
• Room upgrades (when available)
• Late checkout until 2 PM (when available)
• Welcome gift

Platinum Elite Status (40 Nights)

Requirements:

• 40 qualifying nights per calendar year
• OR 8,000 qualifying points earned from stays

Benefits:

• 40% bonus points on all stays (4 points per dollar)
• Enhanced room upgrades (when available)
• Late checkout until 4 PM (when available)
• Welcome gift
• Dedicated customer service line

Diamond Elite Status (60 Nights)

Requirements:

• 60 qualifying nights per calendar year
• OR 12,000 qualifying points earned from stays

Benefits:

• 60% bonus points on all stays (6 points per dollar)
• Suite upgrades (when available)
• Guaranteed late checkout until 4 PM
• Guaranteed room availability (when booked 48+ hours in advance)
• Enhanced welcome gift
• Priority customer service

Credit Card Status Benefits

Both Choice Privileges credit cards provide automatic Gold Elite status, giving you the 20% points bonus without completing any stays.

Is Choice Elite Status Worth It?

Choice elite status is accessible but offers fewer guaranteed benefits than premium chains.

Worth it if: You frequently use economy hotels and want accelerated points earning.

Not worth chasing if: You prioritize guaranteed upgrades and luxury amenities available through Marriott or Hyatt elite programs.

Redeeming Choice Privileges Points

Award Night Pricing

Choice uses a four-tier fixed award chart, unlike the dynamic pricing used by Marriott and Hilton.

Redemption Rates:

• Category 1: 6,000 points
• Category 2: 10,000 points
• Category 3: 16,000 points
• Category 4: 25,000 points

Most properties fall into Categories 1-2.

Points + Cash Options

Choice offers Points + Cash combinations starting at 3,000 points + $30. Compare cash rates to points requirements before booking to ensure you're getting good value.

Points Value Analysis

Choice points are valued at 0.6-0.8 cents per point. Best redemptions occur at properties where cash rates exceed $100 per night, during peak seasons, and at higher-end brands like Cambria Hotels.

Example: A Comfort Inn costing $140 per night or 10,000 points delivers 1.4 cents per point value, which is excellent for Choice Privileges.

Booking Award Nights

Book through Choice Hotels website, mobile app, or customer service. Choice typically makes award space available whenever standard rooms are bookable.

Strategic Uses for Choice Privileges

Road Trips and Extended Stays

Choice excels for road trips across the United States with widespread highway presence and predictable redemption rates. For extended stays, MainStay Suites and WoodSpring Suites properties with kitchenettes offer strong value when redeeming 42,000-60,000 points for week-long stays.

Combining with Other Programs

While Choice doesn't transfer to airlines, use it strategically for accommodations while focusing other cards on flights:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred for flights and dining
• Choice Privileges Select for hotels and groceries
• Capital One Venture X for general travel

This multi-card approach optimizes earning across travel categories.

Choice Privileges vs. Other Hotel Programs

Choice vs. Marriott: Choose Marriott for luxury properties and international travel; choose Choice for budget-conscious domestic stays with easier elite status and lower redemption thresholds.

Choice vs. Hilton: Hilton offers more luxury properties and better elite breakfast benefits; Choice provides simpler award pricing and better everyday spending categories on credit cards.

Choice vs. Wyndham: Both target budget travelers. Choice offers more consistent property quality and better credit card benefits; Wyndham has a flat 7,500-point redemption rate and larger global footprint.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Booking Through Third Parties

Third-party booking sites like Expedia or Priceline don't qualify for Choice Privileges points or elite benefits. Always book directly through Choice Hotels to ensure you earn points and receive elite recognition.

Letting Points Expire

Choice Privileges points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Keep your account active by:

• Making a stay at a Choice property
• Using your Choice credit card
• Earning points through the shopping portal
• Booking a revenue stay (even if you don't complete it)

Any activity resets the 18-month clock on all your points.

Ignoring Points + Cash Options

Sometimes Points + Cash redemptions provide better value than paying the full cash rate or using all points. Always check both options before booking.

Not Comparing Cash vs. Points

Just because you have points doesn't mean you should always use them. If a property costs $50 cash or 10,000 points, you're only getting 0.5 cents per point value. In this scenario, paying cash and saving your points for a higher-value redemption makes more sense.

Maximizing Your Choice Privileges Strategy

The Two-Card Approach

If you stay at Choice properties 10+ nights annually and spend significantly in bonus categories, consider holding both Choice credit cards:

Setup:

• Choice Privileges Mastercard (no annual fee) for baseline earnings
• Choice Privileges Select Mastercard ($99 annual fee) for maximum multipliers

Annual Value:

• Three free night certificates (one from each card)
• Enhanced points earning on all stays and purchases
• Two automatic Gold status qualifications

This costs $99 annually but provides three free night certificates worth approximately $240-300 in hotel stays.

Strategic Positioning in Your Wallet

Choice cards work best as specialized tools rather than primary cards. Here's how they fit in a broader credit card strategy:

Primary Cards for Sign-Up Bonuses:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred (60,000+ points)
• American Express Gold (90,000+ points)

Choice Cards for:

• All Choice Hotel stays (5x or 10x points)
• Grocery shopping (3x or 5x points)
• Gas stations (3x or 5x points)

This approach maximizes welcome bonuses from premium cards while using Choice cards in their strongest categories.

Elite Status Fast-Tracking

If you're close to the next elite tier, strategic stays can push you over the threshold:

• Book minimum two-night stays instead of one night (counts as two qualifying nights)
• Schedule necessary travel at Choice properties near year-end
• Use paid stays to bridge any gaps between tiers

The Diamond Elite requirement of 60 nights is challenging but achievable for business travelers or extended-stay situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Choice Privileges points expire?

Yes, Choice points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Any earning or redemption activity resets the expiration clock on your entire balance.

Can I transfer Choice points to family members?

Yes, Choice allows points transfers between accounts for a fee of $0.01 per point ($10 per 1,000 points transferred) with a minimum transfer of 2,000 points.

Do Choice Privileges credit cards offer travel insurance?

The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard includes travel accident insurance and purchase protection, but does not offer comprehensive trip cancellation coverage like premium travel credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Can I earn Choice points on third-party bookings?

No, you must book directly through Choice Hotels to earn points and receive elite benefits. Third-party bookings through Expedia, Priceline, or other OTAs don't qualify.

How long does it take for points to post after a stay?

Points typically post within 7-10 business days after checkout. If points don't appear after two weeks, contact Choice Privileges customer service with your confirmation number.

Are Choice award nights refundable?

Yes, Choice award nights can be cancelled up to 48 hours before check-in with points returned to your account. Cancellation policies may vary by property, so always check the specific terms when booking.

Conclusion

Choice Privileges won't replace premium hotel programs for luxury seekers, but it fills a valuable niche for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize value over brand prestige. With redemptions starting at just 6,000 points, accessible elite status thresholds, and credit cards offering strong category bonuses without crushing annual fees, the program delivers genuine value for domestic road trips, extended stays, and everyday travel needs. The key is understanding where Choice fits in your broader travel strategy. Use it for what it does well: affordable accommodations with predictable redemption rates and solid earning potential through everyday spending. Combined with flexible points programs for flights and premium hotels, Choice Privileges becomes a powerful tool for maximizing your overall travel budget.

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