College sports fans: You can redeem Choice points for exclusive events and experiences
You'll usually get the most value from hotel points when you redeem for hotel stays. However, Choice Privileges launched a new non-stay way to redeem Choice points in late 2022 that could provide significant value: college sports experiences.
That's right: You can redeem Choice Privileges points for "one-of-a-kind opportunities and exclusive events" with select college teams.
The currently available options on the Choice Privileges college sports experiences page are all related to basketball. But in the fall, we saw some amazing football-related experiences with top college teams. Because of this, I expect we'll see new experiences for other sports in the coming months.
Currently available experiences
As I mentioned above, only basketball experiences were available at the time of writing. Here's a look at these experiences:
- University of Louisville Coach's Show VIP experience (including a VIP table for up to 10 guests) for 40,000 points.
- University of Louisville Day of Your Dreams (including suite passes for the winner and a guest plus the ability to sit on the team bench during warmups and present the game ball before tipoff) for 40,000 points.
- University of Michigan VIP game day experience with a pregame facilities tour (including two game tickets) for 45,000 points.
- Ohio State University Chris Holtmann radio show (including passes to a show, a meal and a quick visit and autograph with the coach for you and up to three guests) for 40,000 points.
- Rutgers University VIP floor seating plus a special experience (including two tickets, one parking pass and the chance to join the players as they run out of the locker room) for 40,000 points.
- Wake Forest University VIP club access plus a special experience (including four tickets, two parking passes and the ability to participate in a halftime contest or watch from inside the home team tunnel as Wake Forest takes the floor) for 40,000 points.
- Wake Forest University pregame experience (including four tickets, two parking passes, a $100 Deacon Shop gift card and a pregame visit to the Wake Forest Sports Network radio broadcast table) for 40,000 points.
Many of these experiences are for specific games or dates. But if you like the team hosting the experience and would enjoy getting special access, some experiences can provide solid value. For example, if you like Wake Forest and have always wanted to participate in a halftime contest, redeeming 40,000 Choice points might provide excellent value for this experience and four tickets. TPG's valuations peg the value of 40,000 Choice points at $240.
Related: 5 credit card mistakes college students make — and how to avoid them
What to know before booking experiences
No email or phone number is available if you have questions before booking. So, you'll need to decide whether a package is worth booking based on what you see on Choice's website. Once you book, you'll get a confirmation email from Choice. Then, someone from Learfield will reach out within 48 hours of booking with more information.
Even once you book, experiences may change due to weather or other factors. You and your guests (if applicable) may need to sign a release to participate. Choice also says you'll need to "abide by any rules or instructions provided by the individual university and its staff."
Finally, note that you and any guests must be 18 or older. Some experiences require attendees to be 21 or older.
Related: Hotels you can book for less with Choice Hotels' Sweet Spot Rewards
How to earn Choice points
There are plenty of ways to earn Choice points. For example, you can earn through stays with Choice or spending on a Choice Hotels cobranded credit card.
But now you can also transfer Radisson Rewards Americas points to Choice at a 2:1 ratio. Plus, you can transfer rewards from the following programs with transferable currencies:
- American Express Membership Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio to Choice Privileges.
- Capital One: 1:1 transfer ratio to Choice Privileges.
- Citi ThankYou Rewards: 1:2 transfer ratio to Choice Privileges if you have a Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants).
The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
It can also sometimes make sense to buy Choice Privileges points. TPG values Choice points at 0.6 cents per point, so you'll generally only want to buy at or below that cost. But, if you plan to redeem points for a high-value college sports experience, it may occasionally be worth buying points at a higher rate.
However, we know changes are coming to the Choice Privileges program as Radisson Rewards Americas is integrated into the program later this year. So, I'd avoid earning Choice points that you don't have an immediate plan to redeem. While I hope we don't see a devaluation of Choice Privileges points, it's always a possibility.
Related: Register for Choice Hotels Your Extras to earn gift cards and other perks on weekday stays
Bottom line
Redeeming Choice Privileges points for college sports experiences can provide good value for your points. Some excellent packages were available near the end of 2022 for college football, and now there are some for college basketball. The most appealing experiences tend to sell out quickly, so keep an eye on Choice's webpage for the latest deals.
Choice Privileges points are far from the only points you can redeem for sports experiences. For example, most years you can redeem Marriott points for Super Bowl tickets through Marriott Bonvoy Moments. And you can redeem Emirates Skywards miles for baseball and soccer tickets. You can also redeem rewards for exclusive events with Capital One's entertainment platform.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
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Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees