Tracking Points & Transfer Options
#6 Among Hotels
Point Value
0.7 ¢
Hobby Score
5.7
Choice Privileges is a top choice for budget-friendly hotels
Yes
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.
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 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.
Discover your points' highest-value redemption options. Use the filters to find the optimal sweet spot for your next trip.
Choice frequently runs promotions, so always check the latest offers before you book. Taking advantage of these deals can stretch your points further or earn you bonus points on paid stays
You can book Choice Privileges rooms up to 50 weeks in advance, and in some cases, premium rooms cost the same number of points as standard rooms. Those premium options are limited and disappear quickly, so if you have your eye on a specific property or room type, book as early as possible to lock in the best rate and availability
If a property is bookable by both IPrefer and Choice Privileges, you may notice that the award price is actually lower through Choice Privileges. But if you have a Citi Strata Elite or Premier card, you can transfer to IPrefer at 1:4, so you will most likely still get a better value this way
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 Citi and Wells Fargo transferring at a 1:2 ratios. This makes your points even more valuable. Redemptions start at 6000 points, so you could book a night for as few as 3000 transferable points from Citi or Wells Fargo.
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.
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.
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
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.
