Bidding is open: Redeem Choice points for behind-the-scenes experiences at NASCAR races
Editor's Note
Whether you love NASCAR or want a unique behind-the-scenes look at race day, you may be interested in some special NASCAR experiences you can secure with Choice Privileges points.
In 2024, Choice Privileges launched its sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suárez (driver of No. 99 Chevrolet) for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. For the 2025 season, Choice Privileges is continuing its sponsorship of Suárez and adding a sponsorship of Trackhouse Racing's Ross Chastain (driver of No.1 Chevrolet).
These sponsorships matter to Choice Privileges members because they unlock the ability to redeem Choice points for some special behind-the-scenes experiences with these NASCAR drivers and the Trackhouse Racing team. Here’s what you need to know.
Bid to redeem Choice points for NASCAR experiences
You can bid to redeem Choice points on behind-the-scenes experiences at all 38 NASCAR Cup Series races this year. You can see the current experiences open for bidding by clicking through this page on the Choice Hotels website.
Be sure to read the specifics of an experience before bidding. Most experiences offer two VIP experience passes, a tour of the Trackhouse team transporter and pit road, a meet-and-greet with the pit crew and drivers and prerace hospitality with food and drink. However, at least one experience offers four VIP experience passes.
The experience will likely be even better than you'd imagine from reading the specifics on the bidding page.
"After watching the final car adjustments in the team garages, members can watch part of the race in the pit box, sitting with the crew chief as they guide the drivers. They’ll also get to enjoy a meal prepared by the team’s traveling chef alongside crew members," a Choice Privileges spokesperson told TPG by email.
Related: Unique ways to redeem Choice Privileges points
Earn Choice points to bid on NASCAR experiences
You can bid on a NASCAR experience without having enough Choice points in your account to cover the bid. However, if you have a winning bid but don't have enough Choice points in your account to cover your bid when the auction closes, you won't get to enjoy the experience. So, if you want to win an experience, you'll have to ensure you have enough Choice points in your account.
You could earn Choice points quickly by buying them or transferring American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards points or Wells Fargo Rewards points to Choice Privileges.
Amex Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles transfer to Choice at a 1:1 ratio, but Citi ThankYou Rewards points and Wells Fargo Rewards points transfer at a 1:2 ratio. Remember, though, that the points might not immediately reach your Choice Privileges account once you purchase or transfer. So, plan ahead if you're serious about winning one of these experiences.
Choice Privileges and Trackhouse Racing will add new experiences throughout the 2025 season. So, if you don't need to earn Choice points quickly, you could stay at Choice Hotels to earn more points. Alternatively, you might want to add a Choice Privileges credit card, Citi ThankYou card or Wells Fargo card to your wallet. Here’s a look at some of these cards and their current sign-up bonuses:
- Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® ($95 annual fee): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Choice Privileges® Mastercard® ($0 annual fee): Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Citi Strata Premier® Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Wells Fargo Autograph® Card ($0 annual fee; see rates and fees): Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
By signing up for a card now and meeting the minimum spending requirements to earn the bonus, you could earn rewards to redeem toward a Trackhouse Racing experience later this season.
The information for the Choice Privileges and 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.
Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits
Bottom line
I like to redeem Choice points for hotel stays in Europe and Japan, but I expect passionate NASCAR fans will love the opportunity to bid on these experiences. Bidding will likely go high for some experiences, so start accruing Choice points or transferable points if you plan to bid on any of these NASCAR experiences.
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.