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Devaluation softened: Stays at top Preferred Hotels & Resorts once again cost 87,000 Choice Privileges points per night

Oct. 06, 2024
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4 min read
lagoon-paddleboards_0 (credit Hawks Cay Resort)
Devaluation softened: Stays at top Preferred Hotels & Resorts once again cost 87,000 Choice Privileges points per night
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Choice Privileges has a partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts that allows travelers to book 314 Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties online with Choice points.

In May 2024, you could redeem 25,000 to 55,000 Choice points per night for participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts stays. In June, award rates at some properties increased to as high as 87,000 Choice points per night. And then in September, award rates at some Preferred Hotels & Resorts jumped to 118,000 Choice points per night.

But after these award increases, there's good news: Award rates at Preferred Hotels & Resorts have returned to topping out at 87,000 Choice points.

Award rates for some of the top Preferred Hotels & Resorts you can book with Choice points
PREFERREDHOTELS.COM

Based on TPG's October 2024 valuations, 87,000 points are worth about $522 — which is a lot, but also seems reasonable given the properties. Here are the properties that currently require 87,000 Choice points per night through the Preferred Hotels & Resorts partnership:

Related: How to earn Choice Privileges points — from hotel stays to credit card rewards

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
THOMAS HART SHELBY/EAU PALM BEACH RESORT & SPA/FACEBOOK

Award rates for booking Preferred Hotels & Resorts with Choice Privileges points go down from here, with only five other properties pricing at 80,000 points per night or higher. Best of all, award rates for Preferred Hotels & Resorts you can book through this partnership start at 20,000 points per night for The Thief in Oslo, Norway.

The Thief is a hotel you can book with Choice points
PREFERREDHOTELS.COM

Choice Privileges rates listed on the Preferred Hotels & Resorts are starting rates. But for each Preferred Hotels & Resorts property I've clicked through to see nightly rates, every night bookable with points has cost the starting rate.

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Award rate calendar for a Preferred Hotels & Resorts property bookable with Choice points
PREFERREDHOTELS.COM

So, although we may eventually see seasonal or dynamic award pricing for Preferred Hotels & Resorts bookable with Choice points — and perhaps testing of this is what caused rates to increase to 118,000 points per night for a while — for now, award nights top out at 87,000 points per night.

Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits

Bottom line

We rarely see loyalty programs walk back a devaluation, so I have to assume either a mistake or testing led to this temporary increase in award rates for booking Preferred Hotels & Resorts with Choice points. Regardless, it's great to see the second pricing increase in just a few months for this partnership didn't stick.

I tend to redeem Choice points for nights in Japan, often costing 8,000 to 12,000 points per night. As such, I can't imagine redeeming 87,000 Choice points (much less 118,000 points) per night for a hotel. But, if you're looking to redeem Choice points for a special stay or when visiting a destination that doesn't have any Choice Hotels properties, the Preferred Hotels & Resorts partnership could be useful.

Additional reading:

Featured image by HAWKS CAY RESORT
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.

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Why We Chose It

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Pros

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  • 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.