A couple of weeks ago, Choice Privileges devalued award redemptions for stays at Preferred Hotels properties. These are properties that Choice doesn’t actually manage, but rather the hotel group just had a points redemption partnership, so that members have access to more aspirational properties.
At the time, I was happy to see that Choice at least didn’t devalue redemptions at its own properties. Well, I might have spoken too soon, because the program has now at least partly increased redemption rates at its own hotels, which is disappointing.
In this post:
Choice Privileges increases some award costs
Historically, Choice Privileges has charged up to 35,000 points per night for award redemptions. The exception has been properties in Asia-Pacific, where redemptions cost up to 75,000 points per night. Well, unfortunately those maximums no longer apply.
As flagged by Katie Genter, Choice Privileges award redemptions no longer max out at 35,000 points per night outside of Asia-Pacific. The website used to list that redemption in most parts of the world range in cost from 8,000 to 35,000 points per night. Now the website just mentions that redemptions start at 8,000 points per night.
There seems to be an immediate reason for that update, as some redemptions are now indeed more expensive. For example, properties are now showing redemption rates of up to 45,000 points per night, including in places like New York City.
The good news is that plenty of hotels still start at 8,000 points per night, and many properties that previously cost 35,000 points still have the same rates.
No one likes devaluations, but…
To Choice Privileges’ credit, the program has done a good job maintaining a consistent value proposition when it comes to award redemptions. A limited number of properties increasing in cost by up to 29% is of course not ideal, but I think it’s fair to say that this could be a lot worse.
Hotel rates have increased a lot in the past few years, and Choice Privileges hasn’t necessarily increased redemption rates proportionally. It is disappointing to see this devaluation just a couple of weeks after the Preferred Hotels devaluation. Hopefully this is the end of the changes that we see from the program, at least for now.
While Choice Hotels has a massive portfolio, for many of us the catch is that the company lacks many luxury properties, at least in comparison to programs like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. That’s not to say that the program isn’t practical, but it’s harder to get as excited about collecting Choice Privileges points as some other currencies.
Bottom line
Choice Privileges has just increased award pricing at some properties. The program used to charge up to 35,000 points per night (except in Asia-Pacific, where awards cost up to 75,000 points). The company has now eliminated any mention of a maximum number of points for a redemption, and we’re seeing hotels now charging up to 45,000 points.
This is of course a disappointing development, and it’s something to be aware of if collecting points with the program.
What do you make of this Choice Privileges devaluation?
The only times I'd consider Choice would be hotels in Scandinavia and as "insurance" in expensive places lol ke NYC.
Looks like they just eliminated one of the high value reasons to stay with Choice...
I blundered into status with Choice during the pandemic (they were a good "hotfix" for some roadtrips), but even with them having a few locations that I stay at with some regularity, I'm leaning towards just booking them via AA or Delta Stays - getting like 15+ RDMs back per dollar via AA beats the stuffing out of what they're offering, and intermittently getting MQDs via Delta doesn't hurt, either. Even Chase might be a...
I blundered into status with Choice during the pandemic (they were a good "hotfix" for some roadtrips), but even with them having a few locations that I stay at with some regularity, I'm leaning towards just booking them via AA or Delta Stays - getting like 15+ RDMs back per dollar via AA beats the stuffing out of what they're offering, and intermittently getting MQDs via Delta doesn't hurt, either. Even Chase might be a viable fallback (e.g. if I'm desperate not to pay cash for a trip).
I would never stay in one of their hotels but still
Choice sounds like scam artists with stable inflation @2% now
welp. this choice devaluation came MUCH FASTER than I anticipated. I thought it would occur sometime during winter 2024-2025. What's driving devaluation is of course classic corporate greed, but also new cards transferring pts to choice 1 to 2...which is not sustainable. certainly not for any high-end properties.
Maybe it's just because I've been reading your blog for way too many years but nowadays I have to admit that I'm consistently flabbergasted by your "Could Be Worse" views. People are getting hosed to the tune of about 30%, with zero notice, and it's not even the first devaluation with Choice points in a month. You're (to my knowledge) unique in that no other prominent travel points blogger - except TPG which has no...
Maybe it's just because I've been reading your blog for way too many years but nowadays I have to admit that I'm consistently flabbergasted by your "Could Be Worse" views. People are getting hosed to the tune of about 30%, with zero notice, and it's not even the first devaluation with Choice points in a month. You're (to my knowledge) unique in that no other prominent travel points blogger - except TPG which has no integrity - shows so much deference to big corporations when they burn the little guy. You're selling a dream of luxury travel on middle class income through points and miles. Ultimately, your behavior makes you look like you're on the side of the big companies rather than normal people when you constantly avow "could be worse" rather than loudly denouncing normal folks getting screwed without notice. I miss the days when you advocated for the little guy and didn't both-sides everything.
Couldn't agree more
I will note that there are properties where Choice jacked up the point prices and yet their maximum “cash”/credit reimbursement to the hotel properties per award room night is still under the same maximum reimbursement amount that it was five years ago.
In other words, these devaluations at Choice are driven by goosing up its margins and earnings in the short-term rather than because of increased cash/credit outlays to the properties for award nights using...
I will note that there are properties where Choice jacked up the point prices and yet their maximum “cash”/credit reimbursement to the hotel properties per award room night is still under the same maximum reimbursement amount that it was five years ago.
In other words, these devaluations at Choice are driven by goosing up its margins and earnings in the short-term rather than because of increased cash/credit outlays to the properties for award nights using Choice points.
Ten months ago or so I suspected the devaluations would ramp up like crazy as Choice on-boarded Radisson. And unfortunately we are seeing that concern being realized with devaluations in frequent sequence in the program and without any prior notice of devaluations.
This is the exact reason why I have been locking up my Choice points in a rotating series of future reservations.