Choice Privileges Select Mastercard review: Elite status and bonus points each year
Editor's Note
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard overview
The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® is a compelling option for travelers who enjoy staying at Choice Hotels® properties. The card offers valuable perks, including 10 points per dollar spent when you use it to pay for qualifying Choice Hotels stays, 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary and 20 elite night credits each calendar year. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
If you enjoy the Choice Privileges hotel loyalty program or frequently book paid stays at Choice Hotels, you could get serious value from the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard. That's why this card is high on my list of cards to add to my wallet due to the benefits it provides in exchange for a modest $95 annual fee.
To qualify for this card, we recommend a credit score of at least 670, but it is possible to get approved with a lower credit score.
Cardholders get various perks that can provide more value than the annual fee. Here’s what you need to know about the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.
The information for the Choice Privileges Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard pros and cons
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Choice Privileges Select Mastercard welcome offer
New Choice Privileges Select Mastercard cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. That's enough points for up to seven reward nights at select Choice properties.
TPG's March 2025 valuations peg Choice points at 0.6 cents each, making this welcome bonus worth $360.
Related: My top 3 picks for the best cobranded hotel credit card
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard benefits
As is true with many of the best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100, the perks on the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard are the primary reason you should add the card to your wallet.
One benefit on the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard — 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary — should provide significantly more value each year than the card’s $95 annual fee.
Those 30,000 Choice points are worth $180, according to our March 2025 valuations. So, assuming you enjoy redeeming Choice points, you should get value by keeping the card in your wallet for the long term.
Plus, you’ll get 20 elite night credits each calendar year. These elite night credits are enough for Platinum status, but they could also help you reach the 40 elite nights you need each calendar year for top-tier Diamond status.
Although the perks of Choice Privileges' elite status aren’t comparable to what you’d get with other hotel loyalty programs, they will get you elite bonus points on stays and bonus perks on weeknights.
You may also want to use your Choice Privileges Select Mastercard to enroll in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Global Entry has become a must-have for me, as it makes it quick and easy to reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad and includes TSA PreCheck. You can get a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for an application fee to either program charged to your card.
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use it outside the U.S. without incurring fees when Mastercard converts your transactions to U.S. dollars.
You’ll also get up to $800 of cellular telephone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible) when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your card.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard cardholders also get access to various World Elite Mastercard benefits as detailed in the card’s guide to benefits.
Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits
Earning points on the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
You’ll earn Choice Privileges points with your Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.
When you use this card to pay for stays at participating Choice Hotels properties that you booked directly, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent. However, some international Choice Hotels locations don’t participate. So, check the list of eligible locations before assuming you’ll earn 10 points per dollar when paying for your stay with this card.
You’ll also earn 10 points per dollar spent when you use your card to pay for qualifying purchases of Choice Privileges points.
On top of that, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent when you use your Choice Privileges Select Mastercard to pay for purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and on phone plan services. You'll also earn 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases with your Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.
You may already have other cards that earn more in some or all of the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard’s bonus categories. But, even if you don’t expect to use the card for many purchases after you earn the welcome offer, it could still be well worth getting and keeping due to its cardholder perks.
Related: How to earn points with the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn dining rewards program
Redeeming points on the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
There are many ways to redeem the Choice Privileges points you earn with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard. But you’ll usually get the most value when redeeming for Choice Hotels stays.
Choice Privileges offers set rates for each hotel based on the day of the week you stay. The rates can change every few months but are clearly defined on the landing page for each hotel.
Award nights at most Choice Hotels properties cost between 6,000 and 35,000 points. So you can stay in the heart of most major cities (including New York City) for 35,000 points per night or less.
I like redeeming Choice points for stays in Europe and Japan, where I can often snag a centrally located hotel for just 8,000, 10,000 or 12,000 points per night.
You can even get a discount when you redeem points to stay at hotels featured on Choice Hotels’ Sweet Spot Rewards list. However, know that you can only book Choice Privileges award nights 50 weeks in advance.
Related: Quick Points: Unique ways to redeem Choice Privileges points
Transferring points on the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
You can transfer Choice points to select airline loyalty programs, including Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, United Airlines MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Virgin Australia Velocity.
However, transferring Choice points to airline loyalty programs will almost always provide significantly less value than redeeming for hotel stays. As such, we recommend getting a card that earns transferable points or an airline credit card if you’re primarily interested in earning airline miles.
Which cards compete with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard?
There are many reasons you may be considering the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard. But, if you aren’t entirely sure it’s the best card for you, here are some other cards to consider:
- If you don’t want to pay an annual fee: The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® offers some Choice Privileges perks for no annual fee. With it, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on Choice stays and 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and on phone plans. You'll also get 10 elite night credits and cellular telephone protection. To learn more, check out our full review of the Choice Privileges Mastercard.
- If you want to earn more general rewards: The Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) earns more general rewards that you can transfer to Choice Privileges or redeem for other travel. It earns 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, air travel and non-Citi Travel hotels, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
- If you prefer cash back: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) is a great cash-back card because of its simple rewards structure. You'll earn 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). It has no annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
For more options, check out our full list of the best hotel cards to find the best card for you.
The information for the Choice Privileges has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to choose a hotel credit card
Is the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard worth it?
Even if you don’t expect to spend much on the card, it could still be worth getting and keeping the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard due to its ongoing perks. For example, the 30,000 points you’ll get after each account anniversary should be worth significantly more than the card’s annual fee. However, those who rarely stay at Choice properties will likely prefer a different card.
Bottom line
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard isn’t for everyone. Still, it offers enough benefits to justify the annual fee and is a solid option for those who enjoy redeeming Choice points or frequently stay at Choice Hotels. In addition, the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and cellular phone protection are great perks for a card with such a low annual fee.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.
- Terms Apply.