Key Takeaways
Choice Privileges is a top choice for budget-friendly hotels
- They have a massive footprint, especially in smaller towns and cities
- There is surprisingly good redemption value in Europe and Asia
- They have strong transfer partners, including a favorable 1:2 transfer rate with Wells Fargo and 1:1.5 with Citi
- Earning elite status is not as difficult as with other programs
- There is inconsistent quality and premium options are limited
Reward Program Ratings
Program Score
5.7Travel Partner Transfers
Points Transfer Guide
How to Earn Points
There are a variety of ways to earn Choice Privileges points. You’ll earn the most points by completing eligible stays at Choice properties, of which there are many, and by opening co-branded credit cards. Choice also has strong credit card transfer partners.
Earn by staying at Choice Privileges properties
- Most stays earn 10 points per dollar when booked directly with Choice.
- Elite members earn bonus points on top of the base rate.
- Using a co-branded Choice card to book your stay will earn you even more.
- Award stays and points+cash bookings do not earn points.
Earn by opening co-branded credit cards
- Choice offers two co-branded cards: Choice Privileges Mastercard (no annual fee) and Choice Privilieges Select Mastercard ($95 annual fee).
- Both cards come with solid signup bonuses and complimentary elite status.
Earn by opening cards that transfer to Choice Privileges
- Choice Privileges partners with American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Wells Fargo.
- Wells Fargo transfers at a favorable 1:2 ratio, creating strong outsized value potential.
- Citi transfers at a 1:1.5 ratio.
- Amex and Capital One transfer at 1:1 ratios.
Booking for Family Members
Choice Privileges does not allow members to transfer or pool points. However, you can redeem points for an immediate family member without staying at the hotel yourself by including their name on the reservation. If booking for someone else, put the guest's name in the Special Requests field when booking online, or if booking by phone, you can ask the reservation agent to add the guest's name to the reservation notes.
Our Favorite Choice Privileges Cards
Choice Privileges Mastercard
Other Options to Earn
Breaking Points
Special Offers Related to Choice Privileges. Click the arrow to see more.
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Jul. 22, 2026
Update: The previous 45% discount has ended. Choice has launched a new sale offering a 40% discount through August 28, 2026.
Choice Privileges is offering a 45% discount on purchased points through July 20, 2026 aT 11:59PM ET, allowing members to buy points for as little as 0.57¢ each with a minimum purchase of 8,000 points. We value Choice points at around 0.7¢ each, making this a good opportunity if you have a specific redemption in mind. We still wouldn't recommend buying points speculatively, as Choice runs promotions like this regularly throughout the year.
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May. 19, 2026
Choice Privileges is offering up to a 50% bonus on purchased points through May 24, 2026, allowing members to buy points for as low as 0.69¢ each. We value Choice points at roughly 0.70¢ apiece, so this can be a decent deal if you have a specific redemption in mind, especially since certain Choice properties can provide outsized value. The promotion requires a minimum purchase of 4,000 points.
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Mar. 30, 2026
Choice Privileges is offering up to a 35% bonus on purchased points through April 28, 2026. You can buy points for as low as 0.76¢ each, with a 30% bonus on purchases of 8,000 to 17,000 points and 35% on purchases of 18,000 points or more. We value Choice points at 0.70¢ each, so this isn’t a particularly strong deal, but it could make sense if you have a specific redemption in mind that exceeds that value.
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Mar. 24, 2026
Choice Privileges is offering a 100% transfer bonus to Air France–KLM Flying Blue. The standard transfer ratio is 5:1, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 400 Flying Blue miles for every 1,000 Choice Privileges points transferred. A minimum transfer of 5,000 points is required. Offer expires April 24, 2026.
How to Redeem Points
Redeeming your points for stays at Choice Privileges brands will offer the highest value. Reward nights start at 6000 points. When searching for an award stay, click “Use Choice Privilege Points” when entering your search details.
Choice does not use an award chart. Rooms are priced by property, with separate rates for weeknights and weekends. Most redemptions fall between 8000 and 35,000 points, though some RewardSave nights can be as low as 6000 points.
Choice also includes casino hotels, extended stay hotels, and all-inclusive resorts. When searching, you can look across all hotel types or filter for the specific category you want. All are bookable with points.
Choice Preferred Hotels and Resorts
Choice partners with more than 300 Preferred Hotels and Resorts worldwide, offering a more premium experience. These stays generally cost 25,000 to 87,000 points per night. To search for Preferred Hotels and Resorts, use this link, log in, select “Start Booking,” and search as usual. You can choose a property and view a calendar of point prices.
Sweet Spots Finder
Discover your points' highest-value redemption options. Use the filters to find the optimal sweet spot for your next trip.
Booking Tips
Choice frequently offers promotions on paid stays and award bookings. Check the latest offers before booking to earn bonus points or stretch your rewards further.
Choice award stays can be booked up to 50 weeks in advance. At some properties, premium rooms cost the same number of points as standard rooms, but availability is limited.
Some hotels participate in both Choice Privileges and IPrefer. Compare award pricing in both programs before booking, especially if you have Citi ThankYou Points, as they transfer to IPrefer at a 1:2 ratio.
Who is it best for?
Choice Privileges is a good program for anyone who values budget accommodations but still wants access to nicer, luxury stays. Choice has a large global footprint with more than 7000 properties. Most brands are budget-minded, but you can book higher-end stays through Preferred Hotels and Resorts or at all-inclusive properties.
Points are easy to earn with two co-branded cards, both of which offer complimentary status. Choice also has strong transfer partners, with Wells Fargo transferring at a very favorable 1:2 ratio and Citi transferring at 1:1.5. This makes your points even more valuable. Redemptions start at 6000 points, so you could book a night for as few as 3,000 transferable points from Wells Fargo and 4,000 points from Citi.
Elite status is easier to reach than with most programs, though the benefits are limited. Still, Choice is a helpful program to keep in mind, especially for road trips or stays in places like Scandinavia, where they have a strong presence.
Status Levels Explained
There are four levels of elite status with Choice Privileges. The lowest level, Member, is what you receive when you sign up. This lets you earn and redeem points and use points+cash for bookings. All other tiers require a set number of qualifying nights per year. Reward nights and paid nights that earn Choice points both count toward elite status.
Elite Status Levels
Here are the three other levels of elite status for Choice Privileges and what it takes to reach each level, along with benefits of each
- 25% bonus points
- 19 rollover nights
- 50% bonus points
- 39 rollover nights
- Guaranteed room availability
- Complimentary breakfast for you and a guest
What to Know Before Canceling
If you decide to cancel your card, make at least one purchase beforehand to extend the life of your miles for 18 months. Keep in mind that each card offers complimentary status, so you will lose that if you cancel. There are several qualifying activities that can extend your miles, so they should remain safe for a while even if you close the card.
FAQs
Does Choice Hotels have a luxury brand?
Choice offers luxury options through Ascend, Cambria, and Radisson brands. You can also use points for Preferred Hotels and Resorts or several all-inclusive properties. While Choice is known for budget stays, luxury options are available.
How many Choice Privileges points do you need for a free stay?
The minimum redemption is 6000 points for RewardStay nights at select hotels. With Wells Fargo transfers at 1:2, you can book that same stay for 3000 points, making lower-tier redemptions an excellent value.
How to get Choice Privileges status?
The easiest way is by opening a Choice Privileges credit card. The no-fee Mastercard grants Gold status, while the Select card provides Platinum status. You can also earn status by staying 10, 20, or 40 nights for Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.
What is the annual fee for Choice Privileges credit cards?
The no-fee Choice Privileges Mastercard includes a 40,000-point bonus and Gold status. The Select card has a $95 annual fee and offers a 60,000-point bonus, Platinum status, and 30,000 bonus points every year.