When Radisson Rewards was integrated into Americas Choice Privileges, I was thrilled that the program was not devalued and that the elite benefit was slightly improved. All the aspects I love about the program remain, including a set award price for each property based on the day of the week and time of year.
But, Choice Privilege members will see three award booking changes beginning in 2025:
- 50-week booking window
- Redeem points for premium room types
- Reintroducing Rewardsaver, a popular Radisson Hotels America redemption tool
Although the press release says the changes will take place in early 2025, a Choice Hotels spokesperson told TPG that some changes will be made to a small set of properties this year.
These three changes seem positive on the surface. Finally, you can currently only redeem Choice Points for Award Nights within the next 100 days. If you try to search for an award in the future, you’ll get a “Date limit reached: When booking with points, reservations must be made within 100 days.” But beginning in 2025, Choice will extend the award booking window to nights over the next 50 weeks.
RELATED: How to earn Choice Privilege points — from hotel stays to credit card rewards
Another change coming to Choice Privileges is a hotel loyalty program that gives members the ability to redeem points for premium room types. I hope this program change will be both positive and negative. Finally, you can currently book select upgraded room types for the same points as standard room types at certain properties. So, although it is unknown if only standard room types will be able to be booked for the original amount of points after the changes take place in early 2025, I expect that this change will lead to the ability to book upgraded room types at certain properties for the same number of points. can finish. Standard room types.
Related: How and Why to Register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits
Finally, travelers who used Radisson Rewards Americas prior to joining Choice Privileges may remember Rewardsaver. Well, Choice Privilege is reintroducing RewardSaver in early 2025. Thanks to Rewardsaver, award nights will start at 6,000 points instead of the current 8,000 points.
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The Rewardsaver tool will automatically discount the room rate. A Choice Hotels spokesperson confirmed to TPG that members will see a Rewardsaver label on certain rates and shows the Rewardsaver rate. According to a Choice Hotels spokesperson, the Rewardsaver flat will not be a discount; Instead, the redemption rate “depends on a number of factors, including current room rates, property type and demand.”
Of course, I’m always concerned that rewards program changes will lead to devaluation. So, will Choice maintain its current award pricing structure?
“Members will be able to view award night prices for future dates using the calendar function on ChoiceHotels.com and the mobile app. Broadly speaking, redemption levels will vary based on factors we currently use, including current room rates, property type and demand.”, A spokesperson told TPG.
This response made me worry that travelers may soon be required to pay significantly more points per night for a standard room. However, according to a Choice Hotels spokesperson, “Standard room nights will start at 6,000 points, and their award cap will remain unchanged. Award prices for premium rooms will depend on factors including current room rates, property type and demand. This is the case for standard rooms. “
The fact that award caps will remain in place is good news. Finally, I’m currently looking at award nights at Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels at 50,000 points topped out and at other Choice Hotels brands at 35,000 points per night.
RELATED: 28 Choice Privilege Properties You Can Stay at for Fewer Points
The bottom line
I’m generally happy with how Choice Privileges handles its loyalty program. Sure, some Redemption rates for Preferred Hotels & Resorts have increased to 87,000 points per night — but this is not unreasonable given the rates paid for these hotels.
Therefore, I hope that these apparently positive changes will remain positive, although the current award limits will remain in place. I expect we’ll see Choice Hotels use RewardSaver to discount new properties and other properties it wants to draw extra attention to, which is a win for travelers and Choice.
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