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Choice Hotels International offers 22 hotel brands and is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. It operates nearly 7,500 hotels with over 650,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories. Today, it unveiled a full refresh of its award-winning Choice Privileges program today. The reimagined loyalty program will make earning, redeeming, and enjoying rewards faster and more rewarding than ever when it relaunches in early 2026.
A central feature of the new Choice Privileges experience is the introduction of milestone rewards (exclusive bonuses that members will earn every five qualifying nights between status tiers). From bonus points to digital gift cards, these recurring rewards ensure that even casual travelers start reaping benefits sooner.
Reaching Elite status will now be easier than ever. Choice is lowering qualification thresholds across all existing tiers, allowing members to unlock perks earlier:
- Gold Elite: 5 nights
- Platinum Elite: 15 nights
- Diamond Elite: 35 nights
- Titanium Elite: 55 nights
Each tier will now require five fewer nights than before and a new tier (Titanium) has been added. The Titanium tier is the most exclusive and is attainable after 55 nights or 110,000 Elite Qualifying Credits. This level introduces the Titanium Travel Award, allowing members to book one room for up to seven nights at half the points at more than 400 premium properties worldwide. Eligible brands include Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, and partner resorts such as Bluegreen Vacations, offering unparalleled value for frequent travelers.
Elite travelers will enjoy elevated experiences such as complimentary room upgrades, preferred parking, and personalized welcome gifts. Members can also achieve status faster through Elite Qualifying Credits that are earned not only through hotel stays, but also through everyday spending on the Choice Privileges Mastercard® (including purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, and home improvement retailers).
The refreshed program also adds Return and Earn, granting members 1,000 bonus points after both their second and third qualifying stays each year. Elite status will now come with lasting recognition (points will never expire for Elite members, and a new “soft landing” policy will ensure that members only drop one status tier per year if their travel decreases).
Finally, beginning in late 2026, points sharing will make it easier for members to transfer points to friends and family.
Nandika Suri, Vice President of Loyalty at Choice Hotels International, said:
What sets Choice Privileges apart is our commitment to making rewards both richer and more attainable —and we’re leading the loyalty landscape by delivering more benefits, more often. These changes are part of our continued journey to evolve Choice Privileges and reflect what travelers today expect from a modern loyalty program. Whether they’re planning a family road trip or an elevated beachside getaway, Choice Privileges is uniquely designed to make any kind of travel within reach.”
Anthony’s Take: It’s rare to see loyalty programs roll back the qualifications for Elite status. This news seems all good for loyalists to Choice Hotels International’s portfolio.
(Image Credits: Choice Hotels International.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
