Frequent Miler on the Air Choice Privileges Pros and Cons | Coffee Break Ep95 | 3-3-26
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Mar 3, 2026 Discussion of the Choice Privileges hotel program and its brand footprint. New 2026 path to elite status via card spend and the semi-fixed award chart. Booking premium rooms and using points for Preferred Hotels. Point transfer and buying options, plus the Titanium Travel Award details. Drawbacks like limited elite perks, 18-month point expiry, and few aspirational properties.
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Elite Status Can Be Earned Through Card Spend
- Choice now awards elite credits from credit card spend, letting card spend count toward Diamond and Titanium status.
- Greg explains 5x bonus categories can net both redeemable points and elite credits, enabling Diamond at ~$14k spend and Titanium at ~$22k if all in 5x categories.
Award Pricing Is Predictable With 50 Weeks Booking
- Choice uses a mostly fixed award pricing structure ranging from 6,000 to 50,000 points, with most hotels between 12k–30k points.
- Greg notes searchable peak/off-peak pricing and the move from 100-day to 50-weeks advance booking for predictability.
Drill Down Into Room Types To Find Suite Value
- Check room-type options when booking with points because many properties let you book premium rooms or suites for the same or slightly higher points.
- Greg and Nick cite examples in Rome and Traverse City where suites cost the same or only a few thousand more points than standard rooms.