Those who are longtime followers of this blog know my penchant for truly frugal travels. While we all love the ability to travel in first class and stay in five-star hotels for little more than taxes, my heart belongs to those fares I can afford in my daily budget – even if it means traveling in economy, aboard an Amtrak train, or even in three-star hotels. Besides, studies show three-star hotels are often cleaner than their five-star competition.
Looking over my travel plans for this year, it occurred to me that I will have enough hotel nights to actually qualify for loyalty status for 2018! Upon this epiphany, I decided to consider which brand I wanted to get rewarded with. I could shoot high with Hilton or Marriott-Starwood, but I already have gold status with both chains through The Platinum Card from American Express. I could go for value with Wyndham, but their rewards are either high-end or low-end – there is no in-between. After some discovery, I decided to go with the most logical choice for my travels: Choice Hotels.
Often considered for their middle-ground offerings catering to business and family travelers, Choice Hotels offers consistent rewards for frugal travelers at a price point everyone can appreciate. For those considering where to put their hotel loyalty, here are my five justifications for settling on Choice Privileges.
Growing hotel brand
While we may not think of Choice Hotels as the biggest brand in the market, their growth puts them among the largest hotels chains today. In a 2016 study by Llenrock Group, Choice Hotels was ranked the fifth-largest American-based brand, larger than Hyatt and only smaller than Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott-Starwood and Wyndham Hotels.
All things considered, this growing chain offers over 500,000 rooms spanning 40 countries around the world, with over 600 hotels still in their pipeline. For value travelers who want a consistent stay, they may be able to find it with Choice Hotels.
Maturing loyalty program
As hotel loyalty programs continue to grow and mature, travelers expect more for their money. Choice Hotels recognized this and decided to make changes for the better starting this summer.
The program recently announced that elite members starting at the gold level would be offered a “thank you” item during every stay, in the form of either a welcome gift or bonus points. This upgrade alone puts the program on the same track as their competitors when it comes to rewards.
Furthermore, qualifying for status is an easy proposition, as long as you have hotel status elsewhere. With my Starwood Preferred Guest gold status, I was able to get an immediate status match for the remainder of the year with Choice Privileges!
Low entry point for rewards
One of the biggest frustrations many travelers have with their hotel programs is the inability to use their points when it comes time to book. For those who don’t travel often, Choice Privileges offers many easy ways to use their points.
According to their website, the chain has over 1,500 hotels with reward nights starting at 8,000 points per night. Across the entire chain, reward nights range from 6,000 points per night all the way up to 35,000 points per night, representing a major discount from other chains.
A Membership Rewards points haven?
How can travelers actually earn those points without actually staying at a number of Choice Hotels? By transferring their American Express Membership Rewards points into the program.
Unlike other programs, Membership Rewards transfer into Choice Privileges at a one-to-one ratio, with a minimum of 1,000 points transferred. With the bonus categories offered on the Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express, frugal travelers could certainly earn their value back on the card from staying at Choice Hotels alone.
Value for the buck
Overall, Choice Hotels finds itself in that intermediate place between budget hotels and luxury resorts with a rewarding loyalty program. With many hotel prices starting under $100 per night, travelers who don’t mind living frugally can gain big rewards through this program.
Travelers who live at the intersection of frugality and points may want to give a long consideration to Choice Hotels. Between low price points and valuable rewards, travelers may want to a second look to this program in the future.
Would you consider Choice Privileges as your next program? Or are your reward goals higher? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com