The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
6 ways Choice Privileges should improve its loyalty program
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
August 25, 2020 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Choice Privileges offers strong value when redeeming points, especially in international destinations and at select all-inclusive resorts.
The program's elite status benefits lag behind competitors, with limited perks and inconsistent room upgrades.
Participation in the loyalty program varies by property, and some budget brands lack consistent quality standards.
The article identifies several areas for improvement, including enhanced elite perks, better quality control and more high-end hotel options.
What to consider
Some Choice hotels do not fully participate in the loyalty program, requiring guests to verify benefits at each property.
Elite status tiers offer minimal differentiation, providing little incentive to pursue higher levels.
Quality and amenities can vary widely at budget brands, impacting the overall guest experience.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of six specific improvements that could make the Choice Privileges program more competitive and rewarding.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
TPG-Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I'm a massive fan of the Choice Privileges program. After all, it's easy to earn Choice points and I often get great value when redeeming Choice points. But since multiple other hotel loyalty programs provide a better overall offering, I'm far from loyal to Choice. While there is a lot to love about Choice Privileges, I think the program has room for improvement.
In this guide, I'll discuss six improvements I'd like to see made to the Choice Privileges program.
My favorite use of Choice points so far was spending a month at Emotions Playa Dorado. This property is bookable as an Ascend Hotels Collection hotel. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy)
Overall, I love the Choice Privileges program. But, this love is primarily due to the value I can get from earning and burning Choice points. In fact, since hitting the road full-time as a digital nomad in 2017, my husband and I have redeemed 588,000 Choice points for 67 award nights. Based on TPG's valuations, that's $3,528 worth of points.
However, I rarely stay with Choice if I'm not earning extra points through a promotion or redeeming points. So now, let's consider what Choice Privileges could do to capture more of my nights.
The Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park is bookable through Choice (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
Choice Privileges doesn't provide the same quality of elite benefits as other top hotel loyalty programs. For example, Choice doesn't guarantee top-tier elites late-check out. And, don't expect an upgrade to a premium room or suite. Instead, Choice hotels may upgrade elites to:
Recently renovated rooms
Rooms on a higher/lower floor
Rooms with favored views
However, not all hotels provide upgrades. And, Choice says hotels don't have to upgrade elites to any specific room type. So, I don't expect any upgrade when booking with Choice.
But, I'd stay with Choice more if I got better elite perks. For example, I'd like to see the following perks:
As such, there's little incentive to earn Platinum or Diamond status and Choice could strengthen its program by adding perks at these tiers. For example, Choice could offer higher-tier elites premium upgrades on a space-available basis. Adding a breakfast benefit at hotels would be another useful perk.
You can book a vacation rental unit at Bluegreen Vacations Fountains in Orlando, FL through Choice. (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
Some Choice hotels don't fully take part in the Choice Privileges program. But, there's not a list of hotels that don't fully engage. Instead, Choice says guests should check with each hotel, which is an unnecessary burden for guests.
Ideally, I'd like to see all Choice hotels fully take part in the Choice Privileges program. But, as long as some hotels don't fully participate, Choice should provide a list of these hotels online.
The rooms were small but clean at the Quality Hotel Bayswater in Perth, Australia (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
Choice Privileges has its share of budget brands. And, I've had some not-so-nice stays at these brands. For example, there was a sizeable hole in my room wall at one Quality Inn. And I've stayed at some Rodeway Inn and Quality Inn hotels with poor in-room Wi-Fi, low-quality furniture and old bedding.
As such, I'd like to see Choice Privileges enforce brand standards at its budget brands. After all, Choice has worked to refresh its Comfort Hotels brand by:
Removing over 600 hotels that weren't up to brand standards
Implementing a new logo
Performing upgrades
You can tell which Comfort Hotels are refreshed based on their logo. So, if you see a new Choice Hotels logo, you know that the hotel meets brand standards.
A similar initiative for Choice's budget brands could improve the Choice Privileges program. After all, Choice could weed out the worst hotels and provide consistency to existing hotels. And, this would encourage me to stay with these brands more.
Emotions Playa Dorado is bookable as an Ascend Hotels Collection property. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy)
The best brands in the Choice portfolio are Cambria Hotels and Ascend Hotel Collection. Cambria Hotels cater to business and leisure travelers with simple yet modern rooms. Meanwhile, Ascend Hotel Collection hotels are often independent hotels that have joined the Choice portfolio but kept their unique feel. Plus, the Ascend Collection includes AMResorts resorts and Bluegreen Vacations resorts.
I've stayed at many Ascend Hotel Collection hotels. And, many of these hotels offer substantial value on award nights. So, as Choice adds more Ascend Hotel Collection hotels, I'll likely stay with them more often.
But, you'll only earn 2x points for a 1.2% return on all other purchases. And, unlike some of the top hotel credit cards, you can't earn higher elite status or free night certificates through spending. But, you can earn 8,000 bonus points each year when you spend $10,000 or more on purchases.
Currently, I only stay with Choice when I'm earning points through a promotion or redeeming points. After all, I've been able to get great value from Choice points. But, if the Choice Privileges program could improve its elite perks and brand consistency, I'd start spending more nights at their properties.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
