Choice Privileges Loyalty Program
I love niche hotel loyalty programs. Over the years, Choice Privileges has been one of my favorites. And based on their recent acquisition and gradual integration of Radisson Americas, Choice Hotels is becoming more mainstream. There’s so much I like about Choice, and now’s a great time to pay more attention. Here’s why I’m loving the Choice Privileges loyalty program even more now and why you should care.
Yes, You Have Choice Points
Radisson Joins the Party
Choice just recently announced the transfer rate and process for moving Radisson Rewards Americas points to Choice Privileges accounts (and vice versa). In my view, it’s all-around great news. The Radisson to Choice transfer rate is 2:1. I had my fingers crossed for this transfer ratio, but I expected it to be 3:1. Loving this development, I transferred all of my Radisson points to Choice yesterday in two transactions (there is a 500k Radisson point limit per transaction). In each instance, Choice points arrived in my account about five minutes later.
The Greatness of Citi ThankYou Points
Citi offers Choice as a points transfer partner. More importantly, the Citi to Choice transfer ratio is 1:2. In my view, this is the best hotel partner transfer ratio from any bank currency. Citi ThankYou enthusiasts can easily rack up Choice points for potential stays. That makes the Double Cash a 4x card everywhere and the Premier 6x in certain categories. Based on transaction amounts, the Custom Cash and Rewards+ can provide even better earn rates.
In Two Player Mode? Combine and Conquer!
Those in the hobby with a spouse or domestic partner can juice a Choice balance even more right now. A few months back, my wife easily transferred her entire Radisson Rewards Americas points balance to my account. This allowed me to transfer our aggregated Radisson points balance to my Choice account yesterday, as I described above.
And your player two may want to transfer their Radisson points to your account now. Why? Because currently, Radisson allows point transfers to other household members, and elites can transfer to anyone. But Choice doesn’t allow transfers to anyone.
Excellent Redemption Opportunities
Choice has an interesting partnership with Preferred Hotels and Resorts. I described in 2021 outsize value Choice members can obtain with such redemptions. Choice Privileges members can also opt for more direct redemptions at substantial value within their Ascend Collection and Cambria properties. I’ve enjoyed hunting around and coming up big with these redemptions. While each of Choice’s brands may not be for everyone, I’ve found solid, reliable value with staples like Comfort Inn and Suites, as well. After freshly topping off my points balance, I’m looking forward to experimenting more. Miles to Memories has calculated the average Choice point value at 0.6 cents, but I’ve been able to obtain one cent per point or over in certain situations.
Not too long ago, Choice unveiled their Sweet Spot Rewards promotion, where members can redeem for a variety of hotels at discounted rates. The new promo period just started and runs through 15 April.
This Program Wrinkle May Be a Positive
With all this good stuff, there is a catch, sort of. Historically, Choice Privileges members have been able to make their free night reservations no more than 100 days prior to the planned arrival at any location. For big planners, this could make the Choice Privileges loyalty program a non-starter.
But in my situation, and perhaps for others, I’m able to flexibly plan and book closer in. Even better, I feel we may be able to benefit from this interest breakage. Since many probably avoid the Choice program due to the 100-day window, more rewards are available for those who can deal with it.
What’s Next?
I’m interested to see more changes as Radisson Rewards Americas and Choice Privileges continue to integrate over the next few months. What redemption rates will desirable Radisson properties (yes, some do exist domestically) go for under the Choice program? Are devaluations on the way? What will Choice do with all those dusty Country Inn and Suites properties? Will Choice relax its terrible no points transfer policy? And so much more…
Conclusion
If you haven’t already done so, maybe now’s the time to look into the Choice Privileges loyalty program more. While some may come up empty, many will find something to enjoy. You can’t win if you don’t play. I’ll see you out on the field!
What’s your take on Choice Privileges and the recent Radisson integration developments?
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I finally have a use for all those unused Radisson points. Like you, I transferred my points to Choice. Choice properties are everywhere and come in handy in areas where Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt aren’t. My goal when I travel is to do it at little to no cost. Sure I like a more luxurious stay when I’m cities and pick the previously mentioned big brands, but in the last few years my vacations have been road trips. We travel and see the attractions we want to see over a 2 week period. At around 4 in the afternoon, I take out my I-Pad and start looking for properties I have points with. This is where Choice as well as IHG shine. I have never been disappointed yet in any of the properties selected yet. Moving into retirement in 5 months, I’m now sitting on 1.5M Choice points to enable my travel aspirations.
Bill,
Awesome – I’m glad Choice is working out for you! Congrats on your upcoming retirement. You’ll have even more time to find great value on those points.
Right on! For the better part of a year I have been accumulating 5x on 4 Custom Cash cards then transferring to Choice with a 10% bonus with my Rewards+ card (220,000 Choice points if max strategy at 100k for the R+ rebate).
Savannah is an expensive hotel town. I recently booked the brand new Cambria Savannah. Pd is $1,548 for a 1-br Suite 4 nights, but I used 105,000 Choice points (worth $630). Since the points transferrd 1:2, that’s a .03 redemption. Similar amazing value thru Preferred Hotels & their 3 Choice point options in Savannah.
In my opinion, this program/system provides hands down the best hotel value available at also very nice properties if you do some digging.
Pam,
You nailed it, especially at the end! Thanks for reading.