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Choice Privileges® Mastercard® — Full Review [2024]

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Jarrod West
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Jarrod West

Senior Content Contributor

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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
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Stella Shon

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With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...

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Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
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  • 40,000 points

  • $0

  • 20.49%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

The Choice Privileges card gets you more value out of your Choice hotel stays with no annual fee.

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
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Card Details

Card Snapshot

Welcome Bonus & Info

  • Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – enough to redeem for up to 5 reward nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. Additional fees may apply.
  • Earn 5X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties.
  • Earn 3X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • Up to $800 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Receive 10 Elite night credits qualifying for at least Gold level status each calendar year.
  • No foreign transaction fee.
Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 5x points per $1 on Choice hotel stays
  • 3x points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services
  • 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Automatic Gold Elite status
  • Cell phone protection
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Gold is the lowest elite status in the Choice Privileges program

Upgraded Points: Expertise You Can Trust

Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies.

  • Content by Leading Industry Experts
  • Routine Updates and Fact-Checks
  • First-Hand Credit Card Experience
  • Shared Across 200+ Top Outlets
  • Methodical “U.P. Rating” System
  • 1090+ Expert Credit Card Guides

Great Card If

  • You want a card that gets you more value out of your Choice hotel stays
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee

Don’t Get If

  • You want a card that earns transferable rewards
  • You seldom stay at Choice hotels

Choice Privileges Card — Is It Worth It?

If you stay at Choice hotels a handful of times each year, and you’re looking for a way to enhance those stays, then the Choice Privileges card would likely be a good option for you.

Not only does it earn 5x points per $1 on Choice stays, but you’ll also receive automatic Gold Elite status which comes with perks like 10% bonus points, late checkout (when available), a welcome gift, and more. Plus, the card doesn’t charge an annual fee and offers cardholders cell phone protection.

Choice Privileges Card — Top Benefits

Gold Elite Status

Just by holding the Choice Privileges card, you’ll receive automatic Gold Elite status in the Choice Privileges elite program, which usually requires 10 elite qualifying nights each year.

With your Gold elite status, you’ll receive:

  • 10% bonus points (11x points per $1)
  • Up to 9 elite rollover nights per calendar year
  • Welcome gift at participating hotels in the U.S. and Canada
  • Early check-in and late checkout, when available, at participating hotels
  • Elite reserved parking, when available, at participating hotels

Cell Phone Protection

When you pay your cell phone bill with the Choice Privileges card, you’ll receive up to $600 of cell phone protection toward accidental damage, with a $25 deductible and a maximum of 2 paid claims per 12-month period.

How To Earn and Redeem Choice Privileges Points

Naturally, the best way to earn more Choice points is to use your card for as many purchases as possible, especially on purchases that fall within the card’s bonus categories of Choice stays, gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services.

Once you’ve built up a stash of Choice points, your best option for redeeming them is on Choice hotel stays. Luckily you’ll have plenty of options as there are over 7,400 Choice hotels worldwide. If you need some inspiration, read through our guide on the best ways to redeem Choice points.

Alternatives to the Choice Privileges Card

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Choice Privileges Select card is perfect for Choice loyalists thanks to its 10x rewards on Choice stays and automatic Platinum Elite status.

The Choice Privileges Select card is perfect for Choice loyalists thanks to its 10x rewards on Choice stays and automatic Platinum Elite status.
Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - enough to redeem for up to 7 reward nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. Additional fees may apply.
60,000 points
$360
$95
20.49%, 24.74%, or 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x points on Choice stays
  • 5x points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services
  • 1x point on all other purchases
Cons
  • Points are not transferrable
  • $95
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – enough to redeem for up to 7 reward nights at select Choice Hotels® properties. Additional fees may apply.
  • Earn 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties.
  • Earn 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $95 annual fee.
  • Up to $800 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Receive 20 Elite night credits qualifying for at least Platinum level status each calendar year.
  • No foreign transaction fee.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.49%, 24.74%, or 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If you’re a Choice loyalist that frequents the chain’s hotels many times per year, you’d likely be better off upgrading to the Choice Privileges Select card.

With it, you’ll earn 10x points on your Choice stays and 5x points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services. Plus, receive automatic Platinum elite status, 30,000 anniversary bonus points, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

BEST BEGINNER CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
$1,200
$95
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If you’re in the market for an all-around travel credit card, whose rewards aren’t limited to one hotel chain, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred card would be an excellent option.

The card earns 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, plus 2x points on all other general travel purchases.

Plus, your Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed with over a dozen Chase transfer partners or redeemed through the Chase travel portal with a 25% bonus.

The information regarding the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Choice Privileges have a credit card?

Yes, Choice offers 2 co-branded credit cards: the Choice Privileges card and the Choice Privileges Select card.

Who issues the Choice Privileges card?

The Choice Privileges card is issued by Wells Fargo.

Does the Choice Privileges card have an annual fee?

No, the Choice Privileges card does not charge an annual fee ($0).

Does the Choice Privileges card give you elite status?

Yes, by holding the Choice Privileges card you’ll automatically receive Choice Gold elite status.

Which is better, the Choice Privileges card or the Choice Privileges Select card?

In terms of benefits, the Choice Privileges Select card is better given that it earns 10x points on Choice stays instead of 5x, gives Choice Platinum elite status instead of Gold elite status, and comes with 30,000 points each account anniversary.

That said, if you do not stay at Choice hotels enough to recoup the $95 annual fee for the Choice Privileges Select card, then the $0 annual fee Choice Privileges card would be the better option for you.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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