Choice Hotels' New 'Nightcap' Amenity Options Includes Booze, Beauty Products or Points
Choice Hotels is better known for brands like Comfort Inn and EconoLodge rather than luxury brands. But, the hotel group is working on improving its image both at lower- and higher-end brands. For example, Choice recently booted hundreds of Comfort Inn properties for not meeting new standards.
Meanwhile, Choice has been focusing more on its upscale hotel brands of Cambria Hotels and the Ascend Collection. This is part of an intentional strategy by management. As Choice's CFO Dominic Dragisich recently put it, "We believe our strategic focus on upscale will continue to evolve our portfolio and drive top line growth because of the revenue-intense nature of the brands."
One of the small ways that Choice is improving the traveler's experience at Cambria Hotels is by "redefining the nightcap." With this new welcome amenity program at select Cambria Hotel locations, guests will have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, as well as non-drink related options.
The hotel brand recently surveyed 2,000 business travelers between 30 and 49 years old to figure out what they wanted more of when traveling for work. And the answer most gave wasn't "more alcohol."
60% surveyed would rather end their day with a hot shower or bath rather than an alcohol beverage. Half said that they drink less alcohol when traveling than they used to. Many travelers agree that the nightcap can be defined as "anything that serves as a relaxing way to end the day."
Of course, there are still plenty that would like a traditionally-defined nightcap. At check-in, Choice Privileges members will get to choose one of the following:
- Face mask
- Shower burst spa product
- Cambria custom blend chamomile lavender tea
- $5 beverage voucher for the hotel bar or grab-and-go market
- 250 Choice Privileges points
For now, you'll only find these welcome amenities at five locations: New Orleans, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Dallas and New York-Chelsea. Hopefully the program will be rolled out to more locations soon.
This choice of welcome amenities is a rather creative way to give travelers a different kind of treat when they check in. That said, these options aren't especially generous or costly for the hotel.
As part of this roll out, I got a chance to try the face mask and shower burst. Both are a nice touch and something that isn't available as a welcome amenity elsewhere. However, each probably only costs the hotel a dollar or two. TPG values the Choice points option at just $1.50. That leaves the $5 food and beverage voucher as the highest face-value option.
As a Choice elite, I'd much rather get a more meaningful welcome amenity like free breakfast or a higher-value food and beverage credit that could be used toward dinner, drinks or breakfast.
All that said, it's nice to see a hotel brand listening to its customers and creating a unique welcome amenity, and I applaud Choice for providing a variety of options.
Before your next stay at a Choice hotel, make sure that you're also enrolled in Your Extras, an opt-in program for travelers staying at Choice properties Sunday-Thursday nights. When you enroll, you can choose between earning Choice Privileges points, airline miles with participating carriers, Fuel Rewards savings, Amazon.com credits, a Starbucks coffee card or Uber trip discounts.
For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees