New golf promo: Use Choice points to pay for tee times, earn points and more
If you're a duffer, you're probably always on the lookout for ways to maximize points and miles for your golf outings and earn loyalty currency to use on future trips. Choice Privileges may have just what you've been looking for in its Golf by Choice program. You can earn and use points on gear for your game as well as tee times and even earn points for using a golf-training app.
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Here's what you need to know about Golf by Choice.
Book a tee time on points or earn points
Since you're golfing anyway, why not earn points for each tee time? Just log into Golf by Choice using your Choice Privileges credentials and you can book tee times at local courses or just about anywhere in the world.
You can earn up to 10 Choice Privileges points for each booking. When you see a course and tee time option that you like, click to add it to your cart and you'll then see the number of points you'll earn. For example, when I selected an $89 tee time at the Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs, the shopping cart indicated I'd earn 7 points. I also checked a $29 tee time at the same course and the number of points earned would also be 7.
So, unless you golf all the time, you won't earn a landslide of points but even a handful is better than none and can add up and be useful for future redemptions. Don't forget that Choice Hotels has some attractive all-inclusive resorts starting at 25,000 points per night. You may be able to find one close to your favorite golf courses.
Alternatively, you can use your Choice points to pay for your tee times. At the Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, the pay with points option ranges from 9,667 to 29,667 points, depending on tee time. In this case, afternoon golfing is cheaper than late-morning bookings.
Earn or use points on golf gear
At the Golf by Choice website, you also have the option of purchasing a variety of items that are essential to up your golf game.
You can buy golf clubs and balls, shoes, bags, clothes and accessories, like a cute golden doodle golf head cover. You can earn thousands of points for things like complete golf club sets (5,000 Choice Privileges points for an 11-piece Callaway Solaire women's set, for example) or earn 120 points for that head cover.
Or, use your Choice points to pay for merchandise. That same head cover costs 9,997 Choice points.
Use an app to improve your golf skills and earn points
Finally, you can earn 1,000 Choice Privileges points when you buy an annual membership to the Tathata Golf Training Courses app. The annual membership costs $200 when billed annually. TPG values Choice Privileges points at 0.6 cents each, so the bonus points are worth $60. It probably only makes sense to invest in the app if you are interested in actually using it to improve your game.
The annual subscription offers 200 hours of coaching from a variety of golf professionals. The training program includes tips for both your mind and body. The app includes unlimited streaming of all video content, the ability to download videos for offline viewing and access to live online training.
Bottom line
Choice is a program that TPG considers undervalued. You can often buy discounted Choice points directly through the hotelier or during special events like the U.S. Travel Association's annual Daily Getaways promotion. Or, you can sign up for the Choice Privileges Visa Card to get a 32,000-point bonus for spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. (The information for the Choice Privileges Visa 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.)
If you're planning a golf trip -- especially somewhere with pricey tee times -- it might make sense to stock up on Choice points and then use them to book your games. You will need to crunch the numbers in your specific case to determine if you'll save money going this route.
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5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
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Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
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- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
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- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
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- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
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Rewards Rate
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees