Most travelers ignore Choice Privileges. They see brands like Comfort Inn or EconoLodge and assume the program is only for road warriors needing a quick stop on the interstate. They are missing out on one of the most lucrative arbitrage opportunities in the travel loyalty world.
In 2026, Choice Privileges is not about budget motels; it is about booking $400/night hotels in downtown Tokyo or all-inclusive style stays in Scandinavia for a fraction of the cost. Because Choice points are easy to earn—often at a 1:2 ratio from major credit cards—you can mathematically achieve a return on spend that rivals Hyatt or Flying Blue.
Quick Summary: The Best Choice Privileges Sweet Spots
- The “Magic” Ratio: Transfer Citi ThankYou Points or Wells Fargo Rewards to Choice at a 1:2 ratio. 1,000 bank points become 2,000 Choice points.
- Scandinavia (Strawberry Hotels): Book Clarion Collection hotels in Norway and Sweden. These often include free breakfast, afternoon snacks, and a light evening meal, saving you $100+ per day on food.
- Japan: Comfort Hotels in Tokyo and Osaka are clean, central, and include breakfast. They often cost 8,000–16,000 points when cash rates exceed $200.
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Use Choice points to book luxury independent hotels (Preferred Hotels partnership) for rates starting at 25,000 points.
- Extended Booking Window: As of 2025, the old “100-day rule” is gone. You can now book reward nights up to 50 weeks in advance.
What is a Choice Privileges Sweet Spot?
A Choice Privileges sweet spot is a redemption where the “Cent Per Point” (CPP) value significantly exceeds the program’s average of 0.6 cents. These opportunities usually arise in markets with high cash prices (like Northern Europe or Japan) where Choice maintains relatively low point ceilings. By utilizing transfer bonuses or the standard 1:2 transfer ratio from partners like Citi, travelers can effectively book these rooms for 50% fewer underlying credit card points than competitors require.
How to Earn Choice Points (The 1:2 Cheat Code)
The primary reason Choice Privileges sweet spots are so valuable is the acquisition cost. If you earn Choice points by staying at a Rodeway Inn, the value is mediocre. If you transfer them from premium credit cards, the value skyrockets.
In 2026, the two most powerful transfer partners are Citi ThankYou Rewards (specifically with the Citi Strata Premier) and Wells Fargo Rewards. Both programs transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio. This means 10,000 Citi points convert into 20,000 Choice points.
The Math Behind the Transfer
Let’s look at the math. If you value a Citi point at 1.5 cents, you are effectively “buying” Choice points for 0.75 cents each. However, many sweet spots yield a value of 2.0 to 5.0 cents per Choice point.
- Capital One: Transfers 1:1. (This is generally a poor value unless you are topping off an account).
- American Express: Transfers 1:1. (Rarely recommended given the high value of Amex points for flights).
- Citi / Wells Fargo: Transfers 1:2. (The Gold Standard).
For a deeper dive into maximizing Citi points, read our guide on Citi ThankYou Points: Best Transfer Partners.
Sweet Spot #1: Scandinavia (The Strawberry Loophole)
Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) is notoriously expensive. A basic burger can cost $25, and hotels often start at $250. This is where Choice Privileges shines brightest through its partnership with Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels).
The sweet spot here is specifically the Clarion Collection brand. Unlike standard hotels, most Clarion Collection properties include:
- Full breakfast buffet.
- “Fika” (Afternoon sweets/coffee).
- Evening Meal: A light dinner (soup, salad, and a hot dish).
For a family of four, this food benefit alone can save over $150 per day. You can find these properties for 16,000 to 20,000 Choice points per night. If you transferred from Citi, that is just 8,000 to 10,000 Citi points per night for a hotel and two meals.
For comparison, a standard Marriott or Hilton in Oslo might charge 40,000+ points and offers no free dinner. This makes Choice the undisputed king of Scandinavian travel. If you are planning a trip to this region, you should also check our guide on Top 5 Credit Cards with Best Travel Insurance to ensure your rental car is covered on those icy roads.
Sweet Spot #2: Japan (Comfort Hotels)
Tokyo hotel prices have surged in 2026, with business hotels often charging $200+ per night. Choice Privileges offers a massive arbitrage opportunity here via Comfort Hotel properties.
Japanese Comfort Hotels are significantly higher quality than their US counterparts. They are spotless, efficient, and usually located near major train stations. Crucially, they include a free hot breakfast.
The Tokyo Math
Example: Comfort Hotel Tokyo Higashi Nihombashi
- Cash Rate: $180 USD (¥27,000)
- Points Rate: 12,000 Choice Points
- Transfer Cost: 6,000 Citi Points (at 1:2 ratio)
- Value: 3.0 cents per Citi point
You can effectively stay in downtown Tokyo for the equivalent of 6,000 credit card points. There is simply no other hotel program that offers this level of value for economy accommodation in Japan. This is why we often compare Citi favorably in our Citi ThankYou vs. Capital One Miles analysis.
Update: The 50-Week Booking Rule
For years, the biggest frustration with Choice Privileges was the restrictive 100-day booking window for international stays. Good news: As of 2025, Choice has eliminated this restriction. You can now book reward nights worldwide up to 50 weeks in advance. This makes it significantly easier to secure high-demand properties in Tokyo or Oslo during peak summer travel.
Sweet Spot #3: Preferred Hotels & Resorts
If you prefer luxury over efficiency, the partnership between Choice and Preferred Hotels & Resorts is your gateway to 5-star properties. This partnership allows you to book independent luxury hotels using Choice points.
Rates typically range from 25,000 to 87,000+ points per night depending on the property tier. While dynamic pricing has crept in, you can still find fixed-rate gems. Availability can be checked directly on the Choice website, which is a major improvement over the old phone-booking system.
High-Value Examples
- The Excelsior, Thessaloniki (Greece): Often over $400/night, bookable for ~35,000 points.
- The Prince Park Tower (Tokyo): A luxury icon that can cost $600+, occasionally available for 45,000 points (22,500 Citi points).
- Samba Vallarta All Inclusive (Mexico): Some all-inclusive resorts are bookable, covering food and drinks for a flat point rate.
When booking these high-end stays, consider stacking your strategy by using a card that offers good travel protections. Also, be aware that unlike Hyatt, Choice usually does not waive resort fees on award stays. Always check the fine print. For more on this, see The Truth About Resort Fees on Award Stays.
Sweet Spot #4: Domestic Value (Ascend Collection & Cambria)
While international redemptions steal the spotlight, domestic US value exists if you know where to look. The Ascend Hotel Collection consists of unique, boutique historic hotels or resorts that Choice has acquired or partnered with.
Additionally, Choice has a partnership with Bluegreen Vacations, allowing you to book condo-style units. These are fantastic for families who need a kitchen and separate bedrooms but don’t want to pay Airbnb cleaning fees. Availability is sporadic, but when you find it, the value per point is excellent.
For travelers who road trip frequently, this mirrors the strategy we recommend in our Wyndham Rewards Guide, another program that excels in “unsexy” but highly practical locations.
Comparison: Cash vs. Points
| Property | Cash Price (Est.) | Choice Points | Citi Points Required (1:2) | Value per Citi Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion Collection Folketeateret (Oslo) | $280 | 16,000 | 8,000 | 3.5¢ |
| Comfort Hotel Tokyo Kiyosumi | $160 | 10,000 | 5,000 | 3.2¢ |
| The dominant Preferred Hotel (Venice) | $550 | 55,000 | 27,500 | 2.0¢ |
| Cambria Hotel (New York) | $350 | 30,000 | 15,000 | 2.3¢ |
*Note: Cash prices include estimated taxes which are waived on award stays in many jurisdictions, though resort fees may still apply.
Buying Choice Points: Is It Worth It?
Sometimes you don’t have Citi points to transfer. Choice frequently runs “Daily Getaways” or internal sales where you can buy points for as low as 0.52 cents per point.
If you buy points at 0.52 cents and redeem them for a Clarion Collection in Oslo (worth ~1.7 cents per Choice point), you are effectively getting a 70% discount on the hotel. This is one of the few times we recommend buying points speculatively, provided you have a specific trip in mind within the next few months.
Methodology
To determine these sweet spots, we analyzed over 500 redemption options across Choice’s international portfolio. We compared the “Buy It Now” cash price (including taxes) against the points requirement for dates in mid-2026. The “Value per Citi Point” assumes a transfer ratio of 1 Citi Point = 2 Choice Points. We verified partnership availability with Preferred Hotels and Strawberry as of February 18, 2026.
Conclusion
Choice Privileges is the ultimate “gap filler” in a savvy traveler’s portfolio. It covers the destinations where the big chains (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton) are either absent or exorbitantly expensive. By leveraging the Citi or Wells Fargo 1:2 transfer ratio, you can unlock luxury stays in Europe and Japan for pennies on the dollar.
Stop ignoring this program. Download the app, check the rates for your next international trip, and you might find that the best value isn’t a Park Hyatt—it’s a Comfort Hotel or a Clarion Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Choice Privileges points expire?
Yes, Choice Privileges points expire after 18 months of inactivity. You can reset this clock by earning or redeeming points, transferring points from a credit card, or buying points. Keeping your account active is relatively easy if you hold a transferable currency card.
Can I book Strawberry Hotels on the Choice website?
Yes, most Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice) hotels can be booked directly on ChoiceHotels.com. However, some niche properties might only be visible on the Strawberry site and cannot be booked with Choice points. Always search the specific city on Choice’s site to confirm availability.
Does Choice waive resort fees on award stays?
No, unlike Hyatt or Hilton, Choice Privileges does not have a policy waiving resort fees on award stays. If the hotel charges a resort fee, you will likely have to pay it at the front desk, even if you paid for the room entirely with points.
What is the best credit card for earning Choice points?
The best cards are actually not Choice-branded cards, but rather the Citi Strata Premier or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey. Both allow you to transfer points to Choice at a 1:2 ratio, effectively doubling your return on every dollar spent compared to earning direct Choice points.
