Choice Privileges is back with another promotion for purchasing points. This one is the 30% discount we’ve seen previously. The other familiar promo is a 40% bonus. These deals can be be worthwhile if you’re able to later use the points for high value redemptions. The uncertainty around travel definitely makes this type of offer less interesting but it’s still worth a look.
Promo Details
Go to the Choice Privileges page for buying and gifting points for the full info.
There is a minimum purchase required to trigger the discount and it varies between accounts. I checked mine and that of a family member and they were 3000 and 15,000 respectively.
The 30% discount runs until February 12, 2021.
Remember that purchases are processed by Canadian company Points.com so Canadians pay HST, and as they are priced in USD you’ll pay the 2.5% forex fee if your credit card has one.
You may buy up to 180,000 points in a year. To purchase your limit under this offer would cost $1247.40 USD.
Terms and Conditions
Transactions must be completed between 9 AM EST Jan 18, 2021 and 11:59 PM EST Feb 12, 2021 to be eligible for this bonus offer. Must be a Choice Privileges® Rewards Program member; Points will be posted to your Choice Privileges account within 24 hours after your transaction is complete. Purchased points do not count toward Elite Status or Lifetime Elite Gold Status. Transactions are final and non-refundable. Offer may not be valid for all members. All other terms and conditions of the Choice Privileges Rewards Program apply. Choice Hotels reserves the right to amend these terms or terminate this promotion at any time. Price includes all applicable fees. There is a 3,000 point purchase minimum that applies. Purchased points are not refundable and are applicable towards all Choice Privileges rewards.
Redemption Prospects
Buying points always carries risk. If, in the time between buying and booking, your hotel choices become unavailable or the reward rates change, you might regret the purchase. But if you have a decent understanding of the program and some flexibility with your plans, acquiring a bunch of points to have on hand could potentially pay off down the road.
In my recent post, What About These Choice Privileges 4000 Point Package Rates? I highlighted a few good options for redeeming points in Europe.
Hotels in Scandinavia are a somewhat safer bet because redemption rates do not fluctuate with the seasons and cash rates are on the higher side. However, there have been reports of availability issues in the past. These hotels are also part of the separate Nordic Choice program and there are occasional technical difficulties coordinating the two reward systems.
Clarion Hotel Sign – Stockholm, Sweden (10,000 points)
The Funken Lodge is an Ascend Hotel Collection property located on the island of Svalbard, Norway in the high arctic. With steep cash rates, it’s a great deal at 12,000 points if you’re keen to visit the far north.
Many, if not all, of the “Clarion Collection” properties include both breakfast and dinner so you should factor those savings into your calculation as well.
Bottom Line
Even with no interest in buying points, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Choice program if you’re not already up to speed. There are some great opportunities for travellers looking to save on accommodation after leisure travel eventually resumes around the world.
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