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22 brands, including Cambria, Clarion, and Radisson
Choice Privileges Program Overview
Choice Hotels has over 7,000 properties in 40 countries and territories, including Radisson brands in the Americas.
Known for budget brands such as Comfort Inn and Clarion, Choice is expanding its mid-upscale Cambria brand and its upscale Ascend Collection.
Joining Choice Privileges
Register online for a free Choice Privileges account.
Travelers based in the Nordic and Baltic countries may prefer to join the Strawberry Hotels membership program (formerly Nordic Choice Club), which is a separate program for the 190 hotels in that region. There are reciprocal benefits between the 2 programs, though they are distinct and have differences.
How To Sign in to Your Choice Privileges Account
Sign in on the choicehotels.com homepage.
Viewing Your Account Activity
The My Point Activity page shows all your recent point activity.
Points Expiration
Points do not expire as long as you have a qualifying activity once every 18 months.
Eligible activities include earning points from stays, using a Choice Privileges credit card, and purchasing points. Your points stay active even with a stay where you choose to earn miles or Amtrak Guest Rewards instead of points.
You can also Refer-a-Friend to Choice Privileges; once they complete a qualifying stay, your points expiration will be extended.
Choice Privileges Program Benefits
Choice Privileges Elite Status
Registering for free with Choice Privileges gives you the opportunity to start earning reward points on all of your stays with Choice.
General members can only book award nights 30 days in advance in the U.S. and Canada and 60 days in advance elsewhere.
Hot Tip:An alliance with Penn National Gaming, Inc. offers reciprocal earning and redemption benefits for Choice Privileges members and members of Penn Entertainment’s loyalty program.
Choice Privileges Gold
- 10% point bonus
- Early check-in and late checkout
- Elite customer hotline
- Elite reserved parking
- Rollover nights (up to 9)
- Room upgrades
- Status match with PENN Play Rewards
- Welcome gift of bonus points or beverage and snack at check-in on qualifying stays at participating hotels
Choice Privileges Platinum
All Gold benefits, plus:
- 25% point bonus
- Rollover nights (up to 19)
Choice Privileges Diamond
All Gold benefits, plus
- 50% point bonus
- Complimentary breakfast for members and a guest
- Guaranteed room availability
- Rollover nights (up to 39 nights)
Value of Choice Privileges Elite Status
Choice Privileges elite status does not have the glamorous benefits of some major hotel programs, reflecting the economical style of most of its properties.
There is no free internet, free breakfast benefit (unless you’re a Diamond member), or opportunity to receive a complimentary room upgrade.
Earning Choice Privileges Elite Status
Earning Choice Privileges elite status is refreshingly straightforward: you earn by the number of nights per year — and both paid and award stays count.
The number of nights required for elite status is:
- Gold: 10 nights per calendar year
- Platinum: 20 nights per calendar year
- Diamond: 40 nights per calendar year
Choice offers lifetime Gold status to military members, veterans, and their spouses. You’ll need to fill out a form to apply for lifetime Gold status plus a bonus of 2,500 points.
Status Match
With elite status in other hotel programs, you can apply for an elite status match by emailing status_match@choicehotels.com.
Choice Privileges will match you to Gold or Platinum level based on your current hotel elite status, but if you stay at a Cambria hotel for just 1 night, you’ll be matched to Diamond-level elite status.
A match granted from January to June will be good for the remainder of the calendar year. Matches granted from July to December will be good through the entire following calendar year.
How To Earn Choice Privileges Points
Earning Choice Privileges points starts with hotel stays.
Earning Points on Stays
Choice Privileges has harmonized points-earning among its brands. No longer will you earn fewer points per dollar at its budget brands.
You earn 10x points on up to 4 rooms per night on qualifying stays. For each qualifying points-eligible stay at a Cambria, you receive 250 points for being an elite member. And, as Radisson Hotels Americas was acquired by Choice in 2023, you’ll also earn points on stays at brands such as Radisson Blu, Radisson Collection, and Radisson Individuals (Americas locations).
Note that you cannot earn points for stays in Brazil, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Guyana, Iceland, India, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, or Sweden.
In Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, you can earn points by registering in the separate Strawberry Hotels program.
Booking Meetings
Planners booking meetings with 10 or more rooms per night earn 4x points on meeting rooms, guest rooms, and food and beverage.
Your Extras
For U.S. and Canada stays that include a Sunday through Thursday night, you can select 1 Your Extras bonus:
- 400 Choice Privileges points
- 100 airline miles
- $2.50 Amazon.com credit
- $5 Starbucks card
- $3 Uber trip discount
You need to select a Your Extras preference in your Choice Privileges account to receive the benefit.
Free Night Promotions
Choice Privileges typically runs a promotion several times a year that offers 1 free night when you stay 2 paid nights.
Earn Points With Travel Partners
Beyond stays with Choice, you can earn points using:
- Bluegreen Vacations
- Cruises booked through Choice partner CruisesOnly
- Golf by Choice program
Alternatives To Earning Points
If you have infrequent stays at Choice Hotels, it can make sense to choose to earn airline miles for your stays instead of points.
Check for regular promotions such as 400 Aeromexico Rewards points or 250 United MileagePlus miles per stay.
Bluegreen Vacations
Enjoy a 3-night stay at a Bluegreen Vacations timeshare property for $249 and receive a $250 gift card or 50,000 Choice Privileges points. Note that you will have to participate in the usual timeshare rigmarole.
Other Ways To Earn Choice Privilege Points
You can earn Choice Privilege points by:
- Using the Choice Privileges card
- Transfer from Citi, Amex, or Capital One
- Shopping online using the Choice Privileges Mall
- Buy up to 50,000 points per year
- Gift up to 180,000 points per year (subject to fees)
- Refer friends to Choice Privileges (friend must then complete a qualifying stay)
Branded and Partnered Credit Cards
Choice Privileges Co-Branded Credit Cards
If you want to earn Choice Privileges points directly, you can use the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®. This card earns 10x points on Choice stays, 5x points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services, and 1x points on all other purchases, which will pair nicely with the Choice Privileges Mall.
The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® earns 5x points on Choice stays, 3x points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plan services, and 1x points on everyday purchases.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Cards
Citi ThankYou Points transfer to Choice at an attractive 1:2 ratio, meaning 1,000 Citi ThankYou Points transfer to 2,000 Choice Privileges points.
*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.
Why We Like This Card
The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!
Pros & Cons
- 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
- Access to Citi transfer partners
- Annual hotel credit
- $95 annual fee
Card Highlights
- No welcome offer available
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- APR: 21.24% - 29.24% variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
American Express Membership Rewards Cards
Choice Privileges is also an American Express transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros & Cons
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros & Cons
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
- $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No lounge access
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Capital One Miles Cards
Capital One miles can be transferred to Choice at a 1:1 ratio.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Pros & Cons
- 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
- $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesGet 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Pros & Cons
- 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
- Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Limited elite benefits
Card Highlights
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Why We Like This Card
Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.
But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee (rates & fees)
- No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
- Ability to use transfer partners
- Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
- No luxury travel or elite benefits
Card Highlights
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- APR: 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
How To Redeem Choice Privileges Points
Hotel award nights are the primary Choice Privileges points awards. From standard awards to Cash + Points, there are great values to be found.
Cost of Award Nights
Choice Privileges has over 7,000 properties available for award nights.
There are no published award charts. Instead, awards start at 6,000 points, with over 1,500 properties priced at 8,000 points or less. The maximum award night price is 35,000 points (except for a whopping 75,000 in Australia).
Pricing is dynamic, so the same hotel may cost a different price at different times of the year.
Log in to your Choice Privileges account and search on the Redeem Points page to find specific pricing.
Cash + Points
Compare Cash + Points results with regular points results — you may find some great values. Cash + Points show up in award night searches where available.
Great for Families
Many Choice Privileges properties have multi-room suites ideal for families. These can be pricey in cash.
The great news is that if they are available for award booking, the price is the same as a standard room!
Great for Europe
Many European properties offer excellent points value in popular tourist destinations, with city center locations other chains may lack.
Even better, breakfast is often included for free.
In the Nordic countries, while you can’t earn points for Strawberry Hotels stays, you can still redeem points for stays. These hotels may have a free breakfast, too, and sometimes even an evening smorgasbord.
FlexRewards
When searching for award nights, you may come upon special low pricing called FlexRewards. Certain properties offer these discounted rates on either Sunday to Thursday or Friday and Saturday.
You do not need to do anything special to book FlexRewards. You’ll book them the same as regular award nights.
Gift Cards
You can redeem Choice Privileges points for gift cards.
The information regarding the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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 Citi Premier® Card has expired and the card is no longer open to applicants.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
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