Maximizing Benefits with Choice Privileges Rewards: A Complete Guide

21.05.2024 - 21:39 / insider.com

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With more than 7,000 properties worldwide including brands like Cambria Hotels, Econo Lodge, and the Ascend Hotel Collection, Choice Hotels offers something for every traveler and budget.

Present in more than 40 countries, Choice Hotels' partnerships with Penn National Gaming, Inc., Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and Nordic Choice Hotels make redemption options even more interesting, with the addition of casino hotels and upscale resorts to the mix.

Choice Privileges points are underrated yet valuable in the world of travel rewards currencies. It's easy to understand the program's appeal given its range of redemption options, including free hotel nights and the chance to exchange them for airline miles, Amtrak tickets, and gift cards.

Here's everything you need to know about earning, redeeming, and maximizing your Choice Privileges points.

The Choice Privileges program may seem straightforward, but many little rules define what counts as a qualifying points-earning stay.

For starters, you must book directly with the hotel by phone or via the Choice Hotels website or app. You won't earn Choice Privileges points on third-party bookings, free stays (from award nights or otherwise), nights booked with Points Plus Cash, through a travel agent or as part of a group booking, rates booked through certain promotions or employee discounts — or if rates are under $40 a night.

You'll also need to pay attention to where you can earn points — within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region (except China and Japan), and Europe (except countries covered by Nordic Choice Hotels). Here's how to get started earning.

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If you're just getting started, the fastest way to accrue Choice Privileges points is by opening the Choice Privileges Visa Signature Card . It offers 32,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days — that's enough for four free nights — plus another 8,000 points on your card anniversary when you spend at least $10,000 in a year. 

Read more: Choice Privileges Visa Signature card review

There's no annual fee, you'll earn 5x points for every dollar spent