Choice Privileges unveils award-booking changes for 2025
When Radisson Rewards Americas integrated with Choice Privileges, I was thrilled the program wasn't devalued and the elite perks slightly improved. All the aspects I love about the program remain, including set award pricing for each property based on the day of the week and time of year.
However, Choice Privileges members will see three award-booking changes in early 2025:
- A 50-week booking window
- The ability to redeem points for premium room types
- The reintroduction of RewardSaver, a popular Radisson Hotels Americas redemption tool
Although the press release says the changes will occur in early 2025, a Choice Hotels spokesperson told TPG that some changes will be rolled out to a small set of properties this year.
These three changes seem positive on the surface. After all, you can currently only redeem Choice points for award nights within the next 100 days. If you try to search for an award stay further in the future, you'll get a message noting, "Date Limit Reached: When booking with points, reservations must be made within 100 days." But in early 2025, Choice will expand the award-booking window to nights within the next 50 weeks.
Related: How to earn Choice Privileges points — from hotel stays to credit card rewards
Another change coming to Choice Privileges is the hotel loyalty program allowing members the ability to redeem points for premium room types. I expect this program change will be both positive and negative. After all, you can currently book select upgraded room types for the same number of points as standard room types at some properties. So, although it's unknown whether only standard room types will be bookable for the base amount of points once the changes occur in early 2025, I expect this change may end the ability to book upgraded room types at some properties for the same number of points as standard room types.
Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits
Finally, travelers who used Radisson Rewards Americas before it joined Choice Privileges may remember RewardSaver. Well, Choice Privileges is reintroducing RewardSaver in early 2025. Thanks to RewardSaver, award nights will start at 6,000 points instead of the current 8,000 points.
The RewardSaver tool will automatically provide discounts on room pricing. A Choice Hotels spokesperson confirmed to TPG that members will see a RewardSaver label over certain rates, along with strikethrough pricing indicating the RewardSaver rate. According to the Choice Hotels spokesperson, RewardSaver won't be a flat discount; instead, the redemption rate will "depend on a number of factors including current room rates, the property type and demand."
Of course, I'm always concerned award program changes will lead to a devaluation. So, will Choice maintain its current award pricing structure?
"Members will be able to view reward night prices for future dates using the calendar function on ChoiceHotels.com and the mobile app. Broadly speaking, redemption levels will vary depending on factors we currently use, including current room rates, the property type and demand," a spokesperson told TPG.
This response caused me to worry that travelers might soon need to pay significantly more points per night for standard rooms. However, according to a Choice Hotels spokesperson, "Standard room nights will begin at 6,000 points, and their awards cap will remain unchanged. The award cost for premium rooms will be contingent upon factors including the current room rates, property type and demand, as is the case for standard rooms."
The fact that award caps will remain unchanged is good news. After all, I'm currently seeing award nights at properties in the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels top out at 50,000 points and award nights at properties under other Choice Hotels brands top out at 35,000 points per night.
Related: Choice Privileges properties you can stay at for fewer points
Bottom line
I've generally been pleased with how Choice Privileges has handled its loyalty program. Sure, some of the redemption rates for Preferred Hotels & Resorts have increased to 87,000 points per night — but this isn't unreasonable given the paid rates for these hotels.
So, I'm hoping these changes will be positive, given that the current awards cap will remain unchanged. I expect we'll see Choice Hotels use RewardSaver to discount new properties and other properties to which it wants to draw extra attention, which is a win for travelers and Choice.
Related reading:
- Choice elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Current Choice Privileges Mastercard offers
- How to earn points with the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn dining rewards program
- Unique ways to redeem Choice Privileges points
- Choice Privileges Experiences: Bid on special access to concerts and sporting events
- How and why to book Bluegreen Vacations resorts through Choice Hotels
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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
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- 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.
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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. |
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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.