In 2022, Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Hotel Group Americas. The deal was worth around $675 million, and with this, Choice Hotels acquired nine new brands, 624 hotels, and over 67,000 rooms.
In early 2023, we saw reciprocal points transfers introduced between the two programs. Today, more details have been shared about when we can expect the programs to be merged, and what that process will look like. Let’s cover all the details.
In this post:
Choice & Radisson reciprocal points transfers
It’s currently possible to transfer points freely between Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards Americas. For the purposes of these transfers, each Choice Privileges point is worth two Radisson Rewards Americas point. Based on my valuation of points, that transfer ratio is fair. I value Choice Privileges points at 0.6 cents each, and Radisson Rewards Americas points at 0.3 cents each.
In order to transfer points, you need to be a member of both programs. You can then access the points transfer function at this link.
The process of transferring points is pretty easy and self-explanatory from there.
Keep in mind that on top of this functionality, it’s also possible to transfer points between Radisson Rewards Americas and Radisson Rewards (the non-Americas program). Presumably that will be eliminated at some point in the not-too-distant future, given that Radisson properties in the Americas no longer have a connection to non-Americas properties.
One other interesting angle here is that Citi ThankYou is transfer partners with Choice Privileges, and points transfer at a 1:2 ratio. That means you could indirectly convert Citi ThankYou points into Radisson Rewards Americas points at a 1:4 ratio. Personally I still don’t think that’s worth it in most situations, though it is something to be aware of.
For what it’s worth, Capital One is also transfer partners with Choice Privileges, but those transfers only happen at a 1:1 ratio, which isn’t nearly as good of a deal.
Should you transfer points between Choice & Radisson?
It’s great that this points transfer functionality is available. So, do I recommend transferring points?
- In general I see more value with Choice Privileges than Radisson Rewards Americas; however, there’s no rush with transferring points in that direction, since when the programs are merged, points will be transferable at the same ratio, so this isn’t some limited time opportunity
- Arguably the only limited time opportunity here is if you want to transfer Choice points to Radisson Rewards Americas, and then transfer them to the main Radisson Rewards program, since that option will eventually be eliminated
Personally I think Choice Privileges is an all-around more lucrative program, as you can redeem points directly for Choice’s properties globally. So by all means compare award pricing and look at how you might want to redeem, but I wouldn’t consider there to be some huge rush to make a decision one way or another.
Choice & Radisson loyalty programs merging soon
The ability to make reciprocal points transfers is the first step to the two loyalty programs being integrated. It’s expected that later in 2023 (no exact date has been provided yet), we’ll see the Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards Americas loyalty programs merge. Based on what is being shared with members:
- Choice Privileges will be the surviving program, so Radisson Rewards Americas will eventually be integrated into the program; it’s anyone’s guess if we see any fundamental changes to Choice Privileges
- Radisson Rewards Americas elite status and elite night credits will automatically transfer over to Choice Privileges when the programs merge
- Any award nights already booked will be honored with the new program, with no need to reconfirm reservations
Bottom line
With Choice having purchased Radisson’s portfolio in the Americas, we’re now seeing more opportunities for loyalty program members. It’s currently possible to transfer points between Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards Americas, with each Choice point getting you two Radisson points.
On top of that, later this year we can expected the Radisson Rewards Americas program to be merged into the Choice Privileges program. Elite status and elite night credits will transfer over, and all award reservations will be honored.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this points transfer functionality?
Radisson Europe is atrocious value since the massive devaluation, it is like an American carriers flying loyalty program with sky pesos. Hopefully it improves again with the merger.
I signed up for a Choice Privileges account and used the status match email [email protected]
and sent a screenshot of my Hilton Diamond info. In 5 minutes I had an email reply and I am matched to Choice Platinum till December 31,2023. Which is better than nothing, I'll take it. I have not transferred my Radisson America points yet.
When exchanging points from Choice Privileges to Radisson Rewards Americas, the point exchange rate is 1 Choice Privileges point = 2 Radisson Rewards Americas points. Similarly, when exchanging points from Radisson Rewards Americas to Choice Privileges, the point exchange rate is 2 Radisson Rewards Americas points = 1 Choice Privileges point.
Tried to register my Radisson account with Choice to transfer points... and got an error message. Whee.
Points transfers between Choice and Radisson are not actually working yet, according to a Choice agent I spoke to on the phone a few minutes ago.
"Unfortunately the changes we’ve seen to Radisson Rewards Americas since Choice’s takeover haven’t been good, to put it mildly."
The link in this sentence goes to a post about Radisson Rewards, not Radisson Rewards Americas. While I would agree that the changes to Radisson Rewards were not good, they had nothing to do with Choice. I don't think that Choice has made many, if any, changes to Radisson Rewards Americas
I thought the same. Radisson Rewards (worldwide) is the one that changed, not Americas
Do you think we will get notice before we are no longer allowed to transfer from Radisson rewards to Radisson rewards America's?
I would not count on that.
Ben what will you do with your points? Are you going to review the preferred hotels relationship a la Frequent Miler?
I am disappointed in the 1:2 conversion, as I was so hoping that Choice would keep it simple at 1:1. I have little use for Choice Privileges--especially their 100 day booking window.
I agree! 1:2 is not what most people assumed and not a sure fire way to keep Radisson loyalists happy with the merger.
I never expected 1:1. Was hoping for 1:1.5 but that's probably to complicated for many ppl. 1:2 is more or less fair but quite disappointing.
I followed your link and received a 404 error. And I didn't find anything from account overview to get to some points transfer page. Well, not that I wanted to transfer any points but I was curious.
Now I found out why the link did not work for me. It's the unhelpful technology implemented by Choice on their website. When clicking on the link to the points transfer page on choicehotels.com it got redirected by inserting an "en-uk" path. And on European website of Choice there is no info about the whole points transfer thing. Bummer!
I had to switch language from UK-English to US-English and then I was able to...
Now I found out why the link did not work for me. It's the unhelpful technology implemented by Choice on their website. When clicking on the link to the points transfer page on choicehotels.com it got redirected by inserting an "en-uk" path. And on European website of Choice there is no info about the whole points transfer thing. Bummer!
I had to switch language from UK-English to US-English and then I was able to reach the points transfer page.
I really don't like it when web programmers seem to think: "Oh, you're from Europe, so you can't be interested in our US website, I will redirect you."