Are you a frequent traveler looking for ways to save on your hotel expenses? If so, you might be interested in learning how to earn free Choice Hotel points.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: You can earn free Choice Hotel points by participating in the Choice Privileges loyalty program and taking advantage of promotions, credit card rewards, and partner offers.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you can earn and redeem Choice Hotel points, as well as some tips and tricks to maximize your rewards.
Understanding the Choice Privileges Program
Choice Privileges is a loyalty program designed for frequent travelers who stay at any of the Choice Hotels chains. It is worth mentioning that Choice Hotels is one of the largest hotel chains in the world, with over 7,000 properties in more than 40 countries.
The Choice Privileges program rewards its members with points for every stay at their hotels, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, airline miles, and more. Keep in mind that the more often you stay, the more points you can earn.
Joining the program is free and easy. You can sign up online, through the Choice Hotels mobile app, or by calling their customer service. Once you become a member, you will be given a membership number, which you will use to log in to your account and start earning points.
The benefits of joining the Choice Privileges program are numerous. For starters, you will earn 10 points for every dollar spent on eligible stays at any of the Choice Hotels chains, including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Econo Lodge, and more. Additionally, members can enjoy exclusive perks such as free internet, late checkout, and access to member-only rates.
- What is the Choice Privileges program?
- How does it work?
- What are the benefits of joining?
- How can you join?
The Choice Privileges program is a loyalty program designed for frequent travelers who stay at any of the Choice Hotels chains. It rewards its members with points for every stay at their hotels, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, airline miles, and more.
Members earn points for each dollar spent on eligible stays at any of the Choice Hotels chains. The more often you stay, the more points you can earn. Points can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, airline miles, and more.
Members of the Choice Privileges program can enjoy exclusive perks such as free internet, late checkout, and access to member-only rates. Additionally, members earn 10 points for every dollar spent on eligible stays.
Joining the program is free and easy. You can sign up online, through the Choice Hotels mobile app, or by calling their customer service. Once you become a member, you will be given a membership number, which you will use to log in to your account and start earning points.
Earning Choice Hotel Points
Earning Choice Hotel Points is not a complicated process. There are several ways to earn points without spending money.
- Staying at Choice Hotels: Members can earn points by staying at any of the Choice Hotels located in over 40 countries worldwide. The number of points earned depends on the hotel brand, location, and the number of nights stayed. It is worth mentioning that bookings made through third-party websites or travel agencies may not be eligible for point accrual.
- Participating in promotions: Choice Hotels frequently offer promotions that allow members to earn bonus points for completing certain actions. These promotions may include booking a specific number of nights, staying at a particular brand of hotel, or booking through the Choice Hotels mobile app.
- Using Choice Privileges credit cards: Members can earn points by using a Choice Privileges credit card for everyday purchases. Some credit cards may offer higher point earnings for specific categories such as gas, groceries, or dining.
- Partner offers: Members can earn points by making purchases from Choice Hotels partners, including car rental companies, airlines, and retailers. Keep in mind that some partner offers may require a minimum spend or booking to be eligible for point accrual.
- Transfer points from other loyalty programs: Members can transfer points from other loyalty programs into their Choice Privileges account. This option may be useful for those who have points in other programs that they may not plan to use or have a small balance that cannot be redeemed for anything significant.
It is important to note that some of these earning methods may have additional terms and conditions that must be met to receive points. Members should always read and understand the terms and conditions before participating in any promotions or offers.
Comparing the earning potential of each method, staying at Choice Hotels and using a Choice Privileges credit card are likely to be the most lucrative options. However, taking advantage of promotions and partner offers can also be a great way to boost points balances.
| Earning Method | Potential Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Staying at Choice Hotels | Varies depending on hotel brand, location, and number of nights stayed |
| Participating in promotions | Varies depending on the promotion |
| Using Choice Privileges credit cards | Varies depending on the card and spending habits |
| Partner offers | Varies depending on the partner and offer |
| Transfer points from other loyalty programs | Varies depending on the loyalty program and transfer rate |
Members should also keep in mind that points earned through these methods may have expiration dates. Unfortunately, if points expire, they cannot be redeemed for rewards. Members should regularly check their account balances and use expiring points before they expire.
Redeeming Choice Hotel Points
- Booking free stays: One of the most common ways to redeem Choice Hotel points is to book free stays at any of the participating hotels. Members can redeem as few as 6,000 points for a night at a lower-level hotel, or as many as 35,000 points for a night at a high-end hotel. It is worth mentioning that the number of points required for a free night stay varies depending on the hotel’s location, brand, and season
- Upgrading rooms: Choice Hotel members can use their points to upgrade their booked room to a higher category. For example, they can upgrade from a standard room to a suite or a room with a better view. The number of points required for an upgrade varies depending on the hotel and the room category chosen.
- Purchasing gift cards: Choice Hotel members can use their points to purchase gift cards that can be used at any participating Choice Hotel or Ascend Collection hotel. Members can redeem as few as 8,000 points for a $50 gift card or as many as 32,000 points for a $200 gift card.
- Donating to charity: Members can also use their points for a good cause by donating to one of Choice Hotel’s charity partners. The company partners with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Rebuilding Together, and Clean the World. Members can donate as few as 1,000 points or as many as they like.
It is worth noting that Choice Hotel points do not expire as long as members have qualifying activity within 18 months. Keep in mind that not all Choice Hotel brands participate in the Choice Privileges program, so it is important to check before booking or redeeming points. Unfortunately, members cannot transfer their points to another account or redeem points for cash.
On the other hand, Choice Hotels regularly offers promotions and bonuses that allow members to earn additional points. For example, members can earn double points on qualifying stays, or even triple points for stays at specific hotels. Additionally, members can earn points by using the Choice Privileges Visa card for everyday purchases.
| Redeeming Option | Points Required |
|---|---|
| Free Night Stay at Lower-level Hotel | 6,000 – 15,000 points |
| Free Night Stay at Mid-level Hotel | 16,000 – 25,000 points |
| Free Night Stay at High-end Hotel | 26,000 – 35,000 points |
| Room Upgrade | Varies depending on hotel and room category chosen |
| $50 Gift Card | 8,000 points |
| $100 Gift Card | 16,000 points |
| $200 Gift Card | 32,000 points |
| Donation to Charity | 1,000+ points |
Maximizing Your Choice Privileges Rewards
If you’re a savvy traveler, you’re probably always looking for ways to maximize your rewards points. Choice Privileges is a loyalty program offered by Choice Hotels that allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend on eligible stays. Here are some tips for maximizing your Choice Privileges rewards:
Choosing the Right Credit Card
One of the best ways to earn Choice Privileges points quickly is by using a credit card that offers rewards for hotel stays. The Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card is a great option, as it offers up to 15 points per dollar spent at eligible Choice Hotels. Plus, you’ll earn extra points on other purchases, like gas and groceries. Another option is to use a credit card that allows you to transfer points to your Choice Privileges account, like the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Staying at the Right Hotels
Of course, the more you stay at Choice Hotels, the more points you’ll earn. But it’s important to choose the right hotels to maximize your rewards. Look for hotels that offer bonus points promotions, like the current “Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night” promotion. You can also earn extra points by booking your stays through the Choice Hotels mobile app or website.
Taking Advantage of Promotions
Choice Hotels frequently offers promotions that allow you to earn bonus points or free nights. Make sure to sign up for the Choice Privileges program so you’ll be notified of any upcoming promotions. It’s also worth mentioning that if you have elite status with another hotel loyalty program, like Marriott or Hilton, you may be able to match your status with Choice Privileges and earn bonus points.
Transferring Points Strategically
If you have points in other loyalty programs, like airline or credit card rewards programs, you may be able to transfer them to your Choice Privileges account. Keep in mind that the transfer ratios may not be 1:1, so it’s important to do the math to make sure it’s worth it. Unfortunately, Choice Hotels doesn’t have any transfer partners at the moment, so you can only transfer points from other programs to your Choice Privileges account.
Common FAQs About Choice Hotel Points
- How long do Choice Hotel points last? Choice Hotel points do expire, but the expiration time frame varies depending on the type of points you have. Generally, points expire 18 months after the last qualifying activity. However, elite members may be able to extend the expiration date. It’s worth mentioning that some credit cards offer Choice Hotel points that don’t expire as long as the account is open and in good standing.
- Can you transfer points to someone else? Yes, you can transfer Choice Hotel points to another member’s account. However, there is a fee of $0.01 per point with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points. Keep in mind that the recipient must also be a member of the Choice Privileges program.
- What is the value of a Choice Hotel point? The value of a Choice Hotel point varies depending on how you redeem them. On average, a Choice Hotel point is worth around $0.007. However, you can get more value from your points by redeeming them for free hotel stays, especially at higher-end properties.
- Are there any blackout dates or restrictions? Unfortunately, there are some restrictions and blackout dates when redeeming Choice Hotel points. However, the program is designed to offer a high degree of flexibility. For example, you can use a combination of points and cash to book a stay, and some properties may offer reduced rates or other promotions for Choice Privileges members.
Conclusion
Earning free Choice Hotel points is a great way to save money on your travels, and the Choice Privileges program offers plenty of ways to do so. By staying at Choice Hotels, participating in promotions, using credit cards, and taking advantage of partner offers, you can accumulate points quickly and easily.
Redeeming your points for free stays, upgrades, gift cards, and charitable donations can also add value to your travels. And by following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can maximize your rewards and get the most out of your Choice Privileges membership.
So start earning those points today, and happy travels!
