5 Best Ways to Redeem Your Choice Privileges Points
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Choice Hotels and Resorts may not be the first chain that comes to mind when you think about redeeming your hotel points. After all, competitors such as Marriott and Hilton have well-known hotel rewards programs and properties around the world.
However, the Choice Privileges rewards program isn't to be overlooked — especially since there are some major sweet spots on hand. Some Choice hotels in Europe and Asia are often a great deal when you book with points. And if you know how to search, you can get a lot of value from your Choice points in the U.S. or at all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.
Let’s take a look at the five best Choice Hotels redemptions, no matter where you’re traveling.
1. All-inclusive resorts
Choice doesn’t have a huge presence when it comes to all-inclusive properties, but those that it does sport offer incredible value. This is mainly due to the fact that they don’t charge you extra when adding additional guests to your award booking.
For example, a three-night stay at the Emotions All Inclusive Juan Dolio, Ascend Hotel Collection in the Dominican Republic will cost you 30,000 points per night, whether you have two guests or four.
This is in contrast to paying cash, since all-inclusive properties charge you extra when you have more than two guests in a room.
» Learn more: The best all-inclusives you can book with points
2. Suites
Another valuable way to redeem Choice Privilege points is for suites, as the hotel chain doesn’t charge you additional points for suites.
If suites are available and bookable with points, they’ll cost the same amount as a standard room. This can mean great redemptions, especially when you’re traveling with a family.
For example, a three-night stay at the Quality Inn & Suites Anaheim Maingate, which is right next to Disneyland in Anaheim, California, would cost you $794.37 in a suite that’ll sleep six.
That same suite would cost you just 16,000 points per night (or roughly $128 per night in points given NerdWallet’s valuation of 0.8 cent per point).
Thus, you’ll get a redemption value of 1.65 cents each. This is well above NerdWallet’s valuation.
» Learn more: Savvy Disneyland hotels to book with points and miles
3. Vacation rentals
Speaking of traveling in groups, sometimes going for a hotel room can be a bit cramped when many of you are on the road. A benefit of Choice Privileges points is that you can redeem them for vacation rentals. Again, you aren’t paying extra whether you pick the one-bedroom or two-bedroom condo — these prices remain the same.
Here’s an example of a two-bedroom condo that sleeps six in Orlando, Florida, for 23,333 points per night.
This condo would run you $767 for three nights or 69,999 points, meaning you’ll get a redemption value of 1.1 cents per point.
4. Radisson hotels
Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Rewards Americas in 2023, which means members now have access to all of the Radisson brand hotels.
These include high-end properties such as the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which normally charges around $400 per night. Redeeming your Choice points, however, will cost just 35,000 points per night (or roughly $350 per night per NerdWallet valuations).
This comes out to a decent redemption rate of 1.29 cents per point.
Also, those who hold the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card can transfer their points over to Choice at a 1:2 ratio, which means that Radisson Blu stay in Chicago would cost just 18,000 Citi points per night.
In comparison, you’d need to transfer over either 62,000 Marriott points or 35,000 Hilton points from an eligible transfer partner for similar stays in the Windy City.
» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now
5. Cheap redemptions abroad
While Choice hotels may be somewhat limited abroad, they do have some really good redemption options in certain countries.
For example, you can redeem 16,000 Choice points per night (roughly $128 per night in points per our valuation) to stay in a family room at the Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo, Norway.
The property features a full breakfast and a sofa bed for a maximum occupancy of four guests, which is rare in Europe. That same cost in cash would come to around $428 per night, meaning you’d redeem your Choice points for a value of 2.68 cents each.
Other great places to look for Choice hotels abroad include Japan and Italy, though it’s always a good idea to poke around and see if you can spot deals elsewhere.
The bottom line
Award prices vary by the month at most Choice hotels, but you can still find sweet spots in the Choice Privileges program. By knowing where and how to look, you can get more than 0.8 cent per point from your Choice Privileges points at destinations near and far.
Choice Hotels and Resorts may not have been at the top of your list when planning your next vacation, but you might reconsider. This chain has a generous rewards program, which means you — and all your traveling companions — can stay in well-regarded properties around the world more affordably.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
on Chase's website
1x-26x
Points140,000
Pointson Chase's website
1x-9x
PointsUp to 60,000 Points
Pointson Chase's website
2x-17x
Points150,000
Points