What the Choice Privileges Card offers and who it targets
The Choice Privileges credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with Choice Hotels International. It earns points on every purchase you make, with higher earning rates on Choice Hotels stays and dining purchases. The card is designed for people who stay at Choice Hotels properties regularly — brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, and Sleep Inn — and want to accumulate rewards faster than they would with a standard cash-back card.
The card comes in two versions: the standard Choice Privileges card and the Choice Privileges Elite card. Both charge an annual fee, and both come with a welcome bonus of points after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. The main difference between them is the annual fee amount, the ongoing earning rates, and the perks that come with elite status.
This card makes sense if you travel for business or leisure and stay at Choice properties multiple times a year. If you rarely use Choice Hotels or prefer other hotel chains, the earning structure and annual fee will not work in your favour compared to a general travel card or cash-back card.
Key Takeaways
- The Choice Privileges card earns points on all purchases, with bonus rates on Choice Hotels stays and dining, but charges an annual fee that varies by card tier.
- Points can be redeemed for free nights at Choice Hotels properties, airline miles through transfer partners, or other rewards, though the value per point varies widely.
- The welcome bonus requires you to spend a set amount within a few months, and the card comes with automatic elite status benefits that waive some hotel fees.
- Your rewards value depends on how often you stay at Choice properties and whether you can use points before they expire or lose value through devaluation.
Earning rates and how points accumulate
The standard Choice Privileges card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Choice Hotels properties, 1 point per dollar on dining purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The Elite version earns the same rates but comes with a higher annual fee in exchange for automatic elite status and additional perks.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. However, "active" typically means you must use the card or earn points at least once every 24 months. If your account goes dormant, the issuer may close it and forfeit your points balance. This is a real risk if you stop traveling or switch to a different card.
The welcome bonus is usually 50,000 to 75,000 points, depending on the current promotion. You earn this bonus after spending a specific amount — often $1,000 to $3,000 — within the first three months. This bonus can be worth $500 to $750 in free nights at mid-range Choice properties, though the actual value depends on which hotels you book and when.
What your points are actually worth
Points redemption value is not fixed. One point is worth different amounts depending on how you use it. When you redeem for a free night at a Choice property, the value per point depends on the nightly rate of the hotel you choose. A point used at a $60-per-night hotel is worth less than the same point used at a $120-per-night hotel.
You can also transfer points to airline partners, though the conversion rate is typically 1 point equals 0.5 to 1 airline mile, depending on the airline. This route is usually less valuable than redeeming for hotel nights unless you have a specific airline goal. Some Choice properties also allow you to use points to cover taxes and fees on award bookings, which can stretch your points further.
The practical value of your points depends on your travel patterns. If you stay at budget Choice properties, your points will not stretch as far. If you use them strategically at higher-priced locations or during peak seasons, you can get more value. Tracking your points balance and planning redemptions around your actual travel calendar is more effective than assuming a fixed dollar value.
Annual fees and how they compare to other hotel cards
The standard Choice Privileges card charges an annual fee of $95. The Elite version charges $195 annually. Both fees are charged on your statement each year, and there is no waiver for the first year — you pay the fee when ready upon approval.
To break even on the standard card's $95 fee, you need to earn at least 95,000 points per year through spending and bonuses, or redeem points for a free night worth at least $95. For most people, this means staying at a Choice property at least once or twice per year, or spending enough on dining and other purchases to accumulate the points. If you stay at Choice properties three or more times annually, the fee is often offset by the points you earn.
The Elite card's $195 fee is harder to justify unless you stay at Choice properties frequently or value the automatic elite status benefits — which include room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. Compare this to general travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold, which charge similar annual fees but earn points across all travel and dining, not just one hotel chain.
Welcome bonus and how to maximize it
The current welcome bonus typically requires you to spend $1,000 to $3,000 within the first three months of opening the account. Once you meet this threshold, the bonus posts to your account within one to two billing cycles. The bonus amount varies by promotion — it can range from 50,000 to 75,000 points.
To maximize the welcome bonus, plan a Choice Hotels stay or large purchase within the first three months. If you do not have a trip planned, you can meet the spending requirement through everyday purchases like groceries, gas, or dining. Some people use the card for a planned large purchase — a home repair, appliance, or travel booking — to hit the threshold quickly.
After you earn the welcome bonus, your ongoing earning depends on how much you use the card. If you use it only for Choice Hotels stays, you will earn 3 points per dollar on those stays plus 1 point per dollar on incidental charges like parking or dining. If you use it for all purchases, you earn 1 point per dollar on everything outside of Choice properties and dining, which is lower than many competing cards offer.
Automatic elite status and what it includes
Both versions of the Choice Privileges card come with automatic elite status in the Choice Privileges loyalty program. The standard card grants Silver Elite status, and the Elite credit card grants Gold Elite status. This status is free and comes with your card — you do not need to earn it through stays.
Silver Elite includes benefits like 10% bonus points on all stays, room upgrades when available, and late checkout. Gold Elite adds benefits like may provide room upgrades, 20% bonus points on stays, and priority customer service. These perks have real value if you stay at Choice properties regularly, because the bonus points alone can add up to hundreds of dollars in free nights over a year.
The elite status is tied to your card account. If you close the card, you lose the status unless you have earned it separately through stays. This is worth considering if you plan to cancel the card after the first year — you will lose the elite benefits along with the card itself.
Fees, interest rates, and other costs
Beyond the annual fee, the Choice Privileges card charges standard credit card fees. There is no foreign transaction fee, which is useful if you travel internationally. Cash advances carry a fee of 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5. Balance transfers cost 3% of the amount transferred, with a minimum of $5.
The purchase APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Barclays typically offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for a limited time — often 6 to 12 months — after which the standard APR applies. If you carry a balance beyond the introductory period, you will pay interest at the standard rate, which can range from 16% to 24% depending on your credit score.
If you miss a payment, the card charges a late fee of up to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments within six months. These fees add up quickly if you fall behind, so setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders is important.
When this card makes financial sense
The Choice Privileges card is worth considering if you meet at least one of these conditions: you stay at Choice Hotels properties three or more times per year, you spend $5,000 or more annually on dining, or you have a planned trip to a Choice property within the first three months and can use the welcome bonus when ready.
The card does not make sense if you rarely stay at Choice Hotels, prefer other hotel chains, or already have a general travel card that earns 2% or more on all purchases. The 1 point per dollar earning rate on non-Choice, non-dining purchases is lower than many alternatives, so you would be paying an annual fee for a card that underperforms outside of its niche.
If you are considering this card, compare it to the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold, or Capital One Venture X. These cards charge similar annual fees but earn points across all travel and dining categories, giving you more flexibility in how you use your rewards. The Choice card is best for people whose travel is concentrated at one hotel chain, not for people who want a general-purpose travel card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points at hotels other than Choice properties?
No, you cannot redeem points directly at non-Choice hotels. You can transfer points to airline partners and use the airline miles to book flights, but you cannot use Choice points at Marriott, Hilton, or other competing chains. This is a significant limitation if you travel to multiple hotel brands.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points do not disappear when ready when you close the card. However, you must keep your Choice Privileges loyalty account active — which typically means earning or using points at least once every 24 months — or the points will expire. If you close the credit card and do not stay at a Choice property or use points within two years, you will lose your balance.
Is the welcome bonus worth the annual fee?
The welcome bonus of 50,000 to 75,000 points is typically worth $500 to $750 in free nights, which covers the annual fee and leaves you with extra value. However, this assumes you can redeem the points at a reasonable hotel rate. If you only stay at budget properties with low nightly rates, the value per point is lower and the bonus may not offset the fee.
Do I need good credit to get approved?
Barclays typically requires a good to excellent credit score — usually 670 or higher — to get approved for the Choice Privileges card. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a different card with a lower credit requirement. Check your credit report before you explore so you know where you stand.
Can I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No, annual fees do not earn points. The fee is charged separately and does not count toward your spending total or earn any rewards. This is standard across most credit cards.