Best Cards for Earning Choice Points

Choice Privileges is perfect for those looking to maximize rewards at affordable hotel brands. Their huge network of hotels across the globe gives you plenty of ways to redeem your points. With a Choice card, you’ll earn points on everything from gas to groceries and be able to take advantage of perks like elite status or anniversary points. We’ve gathered the top cards for earning Choice points to make sure you get the most out of those rewards.

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Annual Fee: $0

60,000Bonus Points

LIMITED TIME OFFER

The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® is ideal for budget-friendly travelers who frequently stay at Choice Hotels. Earn points on every purchase, with extra rewards for stays at Choice properties. This no-annual-fee card makes it easy to build up points and redeem them for free nights or other rewards.

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Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®

Annual Fee: $95

90,000Bonus Points

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Love Choice Hotels? Then you'll love the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®, mainly for its strong earning potential and travel perks. Earn extra points on Choice stays, and enjoy a rewards program that gives you more for your travel. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus can help you rack up free nights faster.

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Which Card is Right for You?

If you're a Choice Hotels fan, the right card comes down to how much you stay and which perks you want. Frequent travelers can benefit from a premium card with perks like elite status and anniversary points, while occasional guests might prefer a no-annual-fee option that still racks up points for free nights. Keep in mind, this card's points can only be used for very specific bookings. Refer to the "transferable" cards for greater flexibility.

Other Ways to Earn

Aside from using your Choice card, you can earn points by staying at Choice hotels, using the Choice Privileges dining and shopping portals, and booking car rentals or activities with their travel partners. You can also convert points from programs like Amtrak Guest Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards into Choice points.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Earn points on every purchase and enjoy accelerated earnings at Choice properties

Get perks like free nights, bonus points, and elite status to enhance your stays

Annual anniversary points can help offset the card’s fee if you go for a premium option

Cons

Points are most valuable when redeemed for Choice stays, so you might feel a bit limited if you stay at other hotel chains often

FAQs

What can I do with Choice Privileges points?

Privileges points can be used for free nights at thousands of hotels in their portfolio, including brands like Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, and Cambria Hotels. You can also use them for car rentals, gift cards, or even transfer them to airline partners for flights.

Do Choice credit cards offer elite status?

Yes! Choice credit cards often grant you instant Gold or Platinum status, giving you perks like extra points on stays, early check-in, and late checkout.

Are there any blackout dates for redeeming Choice points?

Nope! Choice Privileges has no blackout dates, meaning you can use your points to book free nights whenever there’s availability. Just remember that availability may vary depending on the property and season.

Can I transfer my Choice points to airline miles?

Absolutely! Choice points can be converted to miles with a variety of airline partners. It’s a great way to top off your frequent flyer balance or snag a flight if you’re short on miles. Just note that transfer rates vary depending on the airline.

Do Choice Hotel points expire?

They expire after 18 months of inactivity, but regular earning or redeeming will keep them alive.

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Writer

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

Updated:Mar 6, 2025