What the Choice Hotels Credit Card Does
The Choice Hotels credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with Choice Hotels International, the company that operates brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, and Cambria. When you use the card for any purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for free nights at participating Choice Hotels properties, room upgrades, or other travel rewards.
The card also gives you benefits specific to Choice Hotels stays—things like automatic elite status in their loyalty program, room upgrades when available, and late checkout. These perks explore whether you pay with the card or not, as long as you're a cardholder.
Like any credit card, you'll have a credit limit, a monthly billing cycle, and interest charges if you carry a balance. The card charges an annual fee, which Choice Hotels cardholders should factor into whether the rewards and benefits justify the cost.
Key Takeaways
- You earn points on every purchase made with the card, redeemable for free nights or room upgrades at Choice Hotels properties.
- The card comes with automatic elite status in the Choice Hotels loyalty program, which unlocks perks like room upgrades and late checkout.
- An annual fee applies, so compare the cost against the value of the rewards and benefits you'll actually use.
- Points earned through the card can be combined with points from stays booked directly with Choice Hotels.
- You must be approved for credit and make monthly payments like any other credit card.
How to Get the Card and What Happens Next
To get a Choice Hotels credit card, you'll visit the issuing bank's website or the Choice Hotels website and find the card offer. You'll fill out an online form with your personal information, income, and employment details. The bank will check your credit report and make a decision—usually within minutes, though some applications take longer.
If you're approved, the bank will mail you the physical card, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you'll need to set up it before you can use it. Most cards can be activated by calling the number on the back of the card or through the bank's mobile app.
After set up, you can use the card anywhere that accepts that card network (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, depending on which Choice Hotels card you have). Your points start accumulating when ready on every purchase.
Understanding Points and Redemption
Points earned on the Choice Hotels credit card work the same way as points earned from stays at Choice Hotels properties. The earning rate varies by card—some cards earn a flat rate on all purchases, while others earn bonus points on certain categories like gas, groceries, or dining.
You redeem points through your Choice Hotels account online or by calling their customer service line. A free night certificate typically requires between 10,000 and 50,000 points, depending on the hotel's category and location. Premium properties in major cities cost more points than budget properties in smaller towns.
Points don't expire as long as your account remains active, which means you can hold them until you're ready to book. However, if your Choice Hotels account becomes inactive for an extended period, the points may be forfeited—check the current policy on the Choice Hotels website.
Annual Fee and When It's Worth Paying
The Choice Hotels credit card charges an annual fee, typically between $95 and $150 depending on which version of the card you have. This fee is charged once per year, usually on your card anniversary.
To determine if the fee is worth it, calculate how much you'd spend on hotel stays in a year and how many free nights you could earn. If you stay at Choice Hotels properties regularly or travel for business, the points and elite status benefits often cover the cost. If you rarely stay at these hotels, the fee may outweigh the value.
Some cardholders receive a statement credit or bonus points to offset the annual fee, particularly if they meet certain spending thresholds. Check your cardholder agreement or contact the bank to see what benefits explore to your specific card.
How Elite Status Works With This Card
Holding the Choice Hotels credit card automatically enrolls you in a mid-tier elite status level in the Choice Hotels loyalty program, even if you've never stayed at one of their properties. This status typically includes benefits like room upgrades (when available), late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
Your elite status is tied to your cardholder account, not your stay history. This means you keep the status as long as you hold the card, regardless of how many nights you actually book. If you cancel the card, your elite status reverts to whatever level you've earned through actual stays.
You can combine your cardholder elite status with status earned through stays. If you stay enough nights in a year to reach a higher elite tier, you'll keep that higher status even if you later cancel the card.
Making Payments and Managing Your Account
Your monthly bill is due on a set date each month, shown on your statement. You can pay online through the bank's website or app, by phone, by mail, or in some cases at a branch. Most banks allow you to set up automatic payments so the full balance or a minimum amount is paid on time each month.
If you carry a balance from month to month, you'll be charged interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can find your specific APR on your cardholder agreement or by logging into your account online.
Late payments can result in late fees and may damage your credit score. If you miss a payment, contact the bank when ready to bring your account current. Most banks offer a grace period of at least 21 days from the statement date before interest is charged on new purchases, but only if you pay your full balance by the due date.
Comparing This Card to Other Hotel Cards
The Choice Hotels card is designed for people who stay at Choice Hotels properties specifically. If you stay at multiple hotel chains, a general travel rewards card or a card from a different hotel brand might earn you more value. A Marriott card, for example, works only at Marriott properties; a Hilton card works only at Hilton properties.
Some general travel cards earn points or cash back that you can use at any hotel, not just one brand. These cards may have lower annual fees or higher earning rates on certain categories. The trade-off is that you won't get the automatic elite status or the hotel-specific perks that come with a co-branded card.
If you're loyal to Choice Hotels and stay there multiple times per year, the automatic elite status and points earning usually make the annual fee worthwhile. If you stay at different chains or only occasionally use hotels, a general travel card might be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points at any hotel, or only Choice Hotels?
Points earned on the Choice Hotels credit card can only be redeemed at participating Choice Hotels properties. You cannot transfer them to other hotel chains or use them for non-hotel purchases. Some cards may allow you to redeem points for other travel expenses like flights or car rentals through a partner program, but check your specific card's terms.
What happens to my elite status if I cancel the card?
Your cardholder elite status ends when you cancel the card. However, any elite status you've earned through actual stays at Choice Hotels properties remains active. If you've stayed enough nights to reach a higher tier, you'll keep that status even after canceling the card.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No, the annual fee does not earn points. Only purchases made with the card earn points. Some cards offer a statement credit or bonus points to offset the annual fee, but the fee itself is not a purchase that generates rewards.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?
This depends on how much you spend and which card you have. If you earn 3 points per dollar spent and a free night costs 20,000 points, you'd need to spend about $6,700 to earn one free night. If you also stay at Choice Hotels properties, you'll earn points from those stays as well, which speeds up the process.
What if I don't use the card for a while—do I lose my points?
Points don't expire as long as your Choice Hotels account stays active. However, if your account becomes inactive for an extended period (typically 12 months or more with no activity), Choice Hotels may close it and forfeit your points. To keep your account active, log in occasionally or make a small purchase with the card.