Choice Privileges in 2025: The Underdog Loyalty Program That Might Just Be Your Secret Weapon
If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at a hotel loyalty chart, wondering if you need a PhD in reward math to book a free night, you’re not alone. But in 2025, Choice Privileges is stepping up as the no-nonsense, value-packed loyalty program that’s quietly making waves.
Introduction
Loyalty programs can significantly enhance your travel experiences. Among them, Choice Privileges—the loyalty program of Choice Hotels—offers abundant opportunities for smart travelers. To fully leverage these benefits, understanding effective strategies for earning and redeeming points is essential. Let's explore how you can master Choice Privileges in 2025, ensuring every point counts toward memorable travels.
Earning Choice Privileges Points Like a Pro
Hotel Stays – Your Primary Gateway
Every Choice Hotel stay earns Choice Privileges points—typically 10 points per dollar spent. Brands under Choice Hotels include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Cambria Hotels, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, and more. Regular promotions, such as the "Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night," significantly boost your points.
Maximizing Elite Status Benefits
Achieving Gold, Platinum, or Diamond status significantly increases your point earnings:
- Gold members earn a 10% bonus.
- Platinum members earn a 25% bonus.
- Diamond members earn an impressive 50% bonus.
Leveraging the Choice Privileges Mastercard
Choice Hotels' co-branded credit cards substantially enhance point earnings:
- Choice Privileges Mastercard: 5 points per dollar at Choice Hotels, plus additional earnings on everyday purchases.
- Choice Privileges Select Mastercard: 10 points per dollar at Choice Hotels, with boosted earnings in popular spending categories.
Earn Points through Dining, Shopping, and Car Rentals
With the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn program, dining at participating restaurants automatically earns points. Similarly, renting cars through partnerships with Avis and Budget not only grants discounts but also Choice points.
Hosting Meetings and Events
Hosting events at eligible Choice properties earns three points per dollar spent on event spaces and catering, capped at 150,000 points per event. Even smaller meetings can notably enhance your points balance.
Redeeming Your Choice Privileges Points Wisely
Free Nights at Choice Properties
The most rewarding redemption method is free nights, starting at just 6,000 points per night. Points required vary based on hotel category and demand.
Points Plus Cash: Flexibility in Redemption
The Points Plus Cash option combines fewer points with cash, offering flexibility for longer stays or more expensive hotels.
Luxury Stays with Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Use Choice Privileges points for stays within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts network, providing access to luxury experiences.
Airline Mile Transfers
Convert Choice Privileges points into frequent flyer miles, typically at a rate of 5,000 Choice points for 1,000 airline miles. Transfer during promotional periods for enhanced value.
Gift Cards and Merchandise
Redeeming points for gift cards and merchandise provides straightforward access to rewards but generally yields lower value than hotel stays. Use this option when other travel redemptions aren't feasible.
Cruise Vacation Credits
While available, redeeming points for cruise credits typically offers less value compared to hotel stays. Choose this only when you have excess points and a preference for cruising.
Charitable Donations
Donate points to charitable causes as a meaningful alternative redemption method, particularly effective for year-end giving.
Maximizing Elite Status Benefits
Elite tiers—Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—provide various perks such as early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, and guaranteed room availability.
Insider Tips to Enhance Choice Privileges Rewards
Strategic Property Selection
Choice Hotels encompasses multiple brands. Comfort Inn and Cambria often offer optimal points value with quality experiences at reasonable point costs. Target recently renovated or new properties for better amenities and value.
Monitor and Activate Promotions
Regularly check your Choice Privileges account for promotions like double-point events or points multipliers for extended stays. Email alerts can ensure you don't miss these opportunities.
Booking Channels Matter
Direct bookings through ChoiceHotels.com ensure you earn points and enjoy elite benefits, unlike third-party platforms, which typically do not qualify for points.
Preventing Points Expiration
Choice Privileges points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Almost any activity, including dining, shopping, or transferring points, resets this timer. Schedule annual reminders to keep your points active.
Final Thoughts: Making Choice Privileges Work for You
In the competitive landscape of hotel loyalty programs, Choice Privileges stands out with extensive properties, flexible redemptions, and generous earning potential. By mastering strategic point accumulation and redemption, you can elevate your travel experiences significantly.
