Choice Privileges is currently offering a mystery promotion on points purchases, with members being offered either a 30% bonus or up to 25% discount. Reports suggest the vast majority of Choice Privileges members are being targeted with the 25% discount offer.
What are the details of the promotion?
If targeted for the 25% discount, you have to purchase at least 18,000 points to unlock the maximum discount, while there are also 15% and 20% discounts available if you’re looking to stock up on a smaller balance of points, starting at 6,000 points and 12,000 points respectively.
- Buy between 6,000 and 11,000 points to unlock a 15% discount
- Buy between 12,000 and 117,999 to achieve a 20% discount
- Buy 18,000 or more points to earn the maximum 25% discount
For example, if you just wanted to get your hands on 6,000 points, the regular price of $68.40 has been discounted to $58.14. If you were in the market for 12,000 points, the usual price would set you back $123.60, but this has been discounted to $98.88. And if you needed 18,000 points, the normal price of $185.40 has been reduced to just $139.05 during this promotion.
To take advantage of this promotion, points purchases must be completed by 11:5 pm EST on June 18.
What is Choice Privilege?
Choice Privilege is the loyalty program for Choice Hotel International – an often-overlooked hotel chain based in Florida which actually has 7,000 hotels on its books in 40 countries and territories around the world.
Some of the company’s most well-known brands include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Cambria Suites, Econo Lodge and MainStay Suites.
As you can see, the company specialises in mid-priced properties that are practical but not highly aspirational. Choice also owns the Ascend Hotel Collection, which is a collection of independent hotels with a little more personality that are known for their unique character and local flavor.
The Ascend Hotel collection has grown to 300 hotels, mostly in the United States and Canada, as well as in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Is buying Choice Privilege points worth it?
We always suggest that purchasing points should be reserved for times when you have a specific redemption in mind and need to top up your existing points balance. Choice Privilege has a huge portfolio of mid-range hotels where, in all fairness, it might not be worth purchasing points for a redemption.
That being said, redemptions at its independent hotel collections from Ascend and Clarion could offer much more bang for your buck. Unfortunately, Choice Privilege doesn’t publish a redemption chart, so you’ll have to carefully compare the redemption cost against cash prices and comparable properties in the area you are looking to stay.
As well as its own hotel brands, Choice Privilege points can also be used to make redemptions through Preferred Hotels and Resorts, which could make Choice Privilege points more valuable for some travelers.
Do Choice Privilege points expire?
The short answer is no, but the important caveat is that there must be some form of account activity within the last 18 months. Otherwise, you’ll forfeit your points. Buying points is one way to stop your existing points from expiring.
