Act Now to Score New Year's Eve Rooms From 8k Choice Hotel Points per Night
New Year's Eve is still over three months away, but the early bird gets the best rooms. This is especially true for award nights at Choice Hotels, since most properties within the brand make all of their rooms available for the same award rate. This means you could end up in a suite, a city view room or an upgraded room for the same number of points as a standard room.
Award nights at Choice Hotels are bookable up to 100 days before your stay begins. So, award reservations with December 31 check-ins became bookable on September 22. But, why not make a long weekend out of your New Year's Eve trip and check in on Friday December 28? If you check in on Friday December 28, then the booking window opened September 19.
What to Know About Choice Award Bookings
Choice offers award nights for between 6,000 Choice points and 30,000 Choice points -- TPG's latest valuation values these points at $36 to $180. So, even properties that charge the maximum 30,000 points per night can be a great steal for New Year's Eve -- especially if the property is well-located.
Award nights that cost 8,000 Choice points or more can also be obtained using points and cash. You'll pay 6,000 Choice points plus the cash rate of the remaining point cost, where Choice values points at 0.75 cents apiece. For example, a night that costs 30,000 Choice points can be booked for 6,000 Choice points + $180.
In the past, higher-tier elites could book award nights further out than lower-tier elites or those without status. But those days are in the past, and now everyone can book award nights up to 100 days before the stay begins.
It's always good to double-check the cancellation policy before booking, but most Choice Hotels award nights allow free cancellation until relatively close to the stay. Free cancellation is easy, can be done online and your points will be immediately returned for future use.
Some Options for New Year's Eve
Although Choice properties can be booked for as low as 6,000 Choice points per night, I was unable to find hotels in any particularly appealing locations for New Year's Eve that are bookable for 6,000 points. But, I found many rooms and suites that are available and bookable -- some for as low as 8,000 points per night, which TPG's latest valuation pegs at $48. But act quick, as I expect many of these hotels will sell out very soon.
When searching for yourself on Choice's website, be sure to sign in to your account. If you don't sign in, you won't see any award availability.
New York City
About a million people fill New York's Times Square and its surrounding streets on New Year's Eve. Whether you want to be one of the people in Times Square or you simply want to enjoy the festivities in another part of the city, New York is certainly a popular destination for New Year's Eve.
Luckily, there are many Choice properties with availability for a long weekend over New Year's Eve, including multiple 30,000 points per night properties very close to Times Square as well as a 12,000 points per night option in Brooklyn:
Or, you can book these properties with points and cash:
Sydney
Sydney is the first major city to bring in the new year. Sydney celebrates with a huge fireworks show, boat parade and air show. There are a few centrally located Choice properties with availability for a long weekend over New Year's Eve. Note that although you can get a suite at Hotel Harry, the property doesn't offer free cancellation for New Year's Eve bookings:
Or, you can book these properties with points and cash:
London
London has fireworks and other festivities along the Victoria Embankment and South Bank areas of the River Thames. Here are a few centrally located Choice properties with availability for a long weekend over New Year's Eve:
Or, you can book these properties with points and cash:
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has epic parties, fireworks and street festivities to celebrate New Year's Eve -- the entire Strip is even closed to traffic on New Year's Eve. Here's one Choice property that is in Downtown Las Vegas and has availability for the long weekend over New Year's Eve:
New Orleans
Baby New Year is dropped from a brewery at midnight in New Orleans on New Year's Eve. Then, there's a massive fireworks show before the festivities continue on Bourbon street until morning. Luckily there are a few centrally located Choice properties so you won't have to stumble too far. But, note that the Cambria doesn't offer free cancellation for New Year's bookings and the St Charles' free cancellation ends more than a month before the stay.
Or, you can book these properties with points and cash:
Disney World
Disney World might not be thought of as a destination for New Year's Eve, but Disney does put on some great shows -- so it's not surprising some couples and families flock to Disney for New Year's Eve. There are ample Choice properties surrounding the park, including suites for just 8,000 points per night:
Or, you can book with points and cash:
How to Get Choice Points
TPG values Choice points at 0.6 cents per point, though Choice pegs the value of its points at 0.75 cents apiece for points and cash bookings. Choice points can be difficult to obtain, though, so I'd personally consider doing a points and cash rate if my points supply was running low.
If you don't currently have any points, or don't have enough points for a booking you want to make, you have a few options.
If you need points now for a booking:
- Purchase Choice points at 1.10 cents per point: This might be better than paying cash for your New Year's Eve stay, especially if you buy just enough points to do a points and cash rate
- Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio: This is generally a poor use of a more valuable currency, but could make sense in some cases
If you're planning ahead but don't need additional Choice points immediately:
- Sign up and spend $1,000 in 90 days on the Choice Privileges Visa Credit Card to get 32,000 bonus points
- Wait for the next Choice buy points promotion
- Wait to purchase Choice points during the annual Daily Getaways promotion
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.