Choice Privileges - 1+1=FREE (2 stays=8000 pts) uncapped, March 8 through May 8, 2012

This is per a print ad on page 7 of the new (March 2012) InsideFlyer magazine.

Register now at ChoiceHotels.com to earn unlimited free nights during the promotion.

Book a ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE and after your second stay with arrival between March 8 and May 8, 2012, you'll receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem for a FREE night at over 1,500 hotels.

Some of the fine print:

As usual, your bonus points on the 2 stays will be "rounded up" so that your total reaches the 8000 point level. Stays can be just 1 night long at the "mainline" Choice brands, but have to be 2 nights minimum at EconoLodge, Rodeway, Suburban, and MainStay to count for this promotion.

We'll have to wait for it to be online before we'll know whether there's the typical "other booking channels" option for high-enough elites (as there has been in the past).

About time Choice released something

About time Choice released something
Huh? :confused: There's still one day left (ends Feb 29) in the current promo:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choice-privileges/1284726-winter-promo-2011-earn-points-miles.html

Isn't the current promo at least "something"??? :confused: You may not think it's a very good promo (I didn't), but it is "something" IMHO.

Choice typically doesn't announce (at least on its website) a new promo before the last promo is over (since they want to keep promotions on the website simple to one at a time), so that's why it took so long to hear of the next promo. (Sometimes we hear of it early because of hotel check-in desk materials that get distributed early, other times because of print ads that run in magazines that come out earlier than their cover date. But we don't tend to hear about any Choice promos far in advance.)

Anyway, good news...

Oh, I forgot to mention:

You must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) and Canada to be eligible for this promotion.
I presume that's a tiny typo. I know of no way to maintain two addresses with Choice, and yet the way they worded it you must maintain an address in the U.S. and Canada, which would be two addresses! :) I presume they meant U.S. or Canada, otherwise no one in the world could participate in this promotion!

EDITED TO ADD:

Or maybe not? :confused: The T&Cs say US/Canada only, but then in the Frequently Asked Questions (see next post) it mentions a variation of the promo for other countries. Presumably that's considered a slightly different promo, that links to the same FAQs but uses separate T&Cs?

Ah, there was a link already, but the person who posted it buried it in a thread about someone asking whether they should join Choice Privileges.

Here's the link (as it actually resolves):

http://www.choicehotels.com/earnafreenight

And it does clarify:

•Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book through any channel

And preserved for posterity, here are the Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotional offer?Choice Privileges members can stay two separate times and earn enough points to redeem for a free night at over 1,500 hotels when booking at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE. Members must register at ChoiceHotels.com/earnafreenight in advance of stay to be eligible.

What are the dates for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?
This promotion applies for stays arriving from March 8, 2012 to May 8, 2012.

Are bookings made through my mobile device eligible for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?Yes. Bookings made through your mobile device are eligible for this promotion.

Is there a booking requirement for Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum Choice Privileges members?
Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members are eligible to book qualifying stays through any channel, including hotel direct.

Can any guest earn the free night?Choice Privileges members must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) and Canada and register at ChoiceHotels.com/earnafreenight in advance to be eligible for this promotion. Registration is not required for Choice Privileges members in Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Australasia.

Is the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion based on stays or nights?This promotion is based on stays. You will have to stay two separate times to be eligible for this promotion.

How is a "Stay" defined? For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay®, and MainStay Suites® hotels, a stay is defined as two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Collection® hotels, a stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any property included in the Choice Privileges program.

How many times can I receive the bonus?Choice Privileges members in US and Canada can earn the bonus an unlimited number of times, with arrival between March 8, 2012 and May 8, 2012. Choice Privileges members in Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Australasia can earn up to six (6) free nights through this promotion.

Are international stays included in the promotion?Stays at all hotels included in the Choice Privileges program will count towards the promotion, as long as a qualifying stay is booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE.

Is there a booking requirement to be eligible for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?Yes. Stays must be booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE with arrival between March 8, 2012 and May 8, 2012.

Can I use the Choice Privileges points earned any way I choose?
You may redeem the Choice Privileges points earned for any redemption option you wish. You can use the points as soon as you receive them, or retain them until you accumulate enough points for higher reward levels or other redemptions.

When will the bonus points post to my account?
After every second qualifying stay, allow 72 hours from check-out for the bonus points to post to your Choice Privileges account.

When do my Choice Privileges points expire?Choice Privileges points expire on December 31, two years after the year in which they were deposited into your account unless forfeited or canceled earlier due to membership inactivity or otherwise in accordance to these rules and regulations.

How do I redeem the free night?
A free night is based on an 8,000 point Choice Privileges reward night level. A free night at most Choice Privileges locations requires more than 8,000 points. You can redeem your points for a free night only through your online profile at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling Choice Privileges Reservations.

What is the Advanced Purchase Rate?
Advance Purchase Rate means that the reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels.com using your Choice Privileges number and must be made at least 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which will vary based on the hotel for which a reservation is being made. The rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. Learn more here.

Where can I learn more about the Choice Privileges program?
Click here to visit choiceprivileges.com.

Who do I contact if I have further questions?
E-mail choice_privileges@choicehotels.com.

Tried to register.

We are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later or contact the Choice Service Center for assistance.

Tried to register.

That's what happened for me too.

Tried to register.

That's what happened for me too.
Just because the information page is up doesn't mean registration is "live" yet. That has happened in the past with Choice, and happens all the time with other programs too. People want to know as far in advance of a new promo as possible, but when they get that news in advance, they also try to register in advance, and then...

You only have to register before your first stay that qualifies for this promo. Since arrival cannot be before March 8, there's presumably no great need to register long before March 8.

Just successfully registered.

Just because the information page is up doesn't mean registration is "live" yet. That has happened in the past with Choice, and happens all the time with other programs too. People want to know as far in advance of a new promo as possible, but when they get that news in advance, they also try to register in advance, and then...

You only have to register before your first stay that qualifies for this promo. Since arrival cannot be before March 8, there's presumably no great need to register long before March 8.

Yes, but if I don't register now, while I'm thinking about it, I'll probably forget about it. :)

Yes, but if I don't register now, while I'm thinking about it, I'll probably forget about it. :)

Even with my successful registration, as noted above, I'll still check before making my first reservation under this promo. I'd rather waste 30 seconds of my time attempting to register again and getting the "you're already registered for this promotion" message than take the chance some website glitch kept my registration from, well, registering. . .

Even with my successful registration, as noted above, I'll still check before making my first reservation under this promo. I'd rather waste 30 seconds of my time attempting to register again and getting the "you're already registered for this promotion" message than take the chance some website glitch kept my registration from, well, registering. . .

I was finally able to register, well, to register Mr. Kipper, but I guess I'll try to remember to verify that he's registered before a stay.

Just successfully registered.
And, probably very non-coincidentally, today is the day after the last promo ended.

And, probably very non-coincidentally, today is the day after the last promo ended.

Indeed :)

And, probably very non-coincidentally, today is the day after the last promo ended.

Once again, Choice follows with one promo right on the heels of another.

And uncapped! Woo hoo!

Bravo x 2!

Though some of their promos are weaker than others, in sum, at this point it's fair to say that they're serious about the promo game.

^

And, probably very non-coincidentally, today is the day after the last promo ended.

Correcto. I probably won't book a room for another 10 days, but as I've noted, I like to make sure that I've registered properly.

Can we be pretty sure there will be a similar offer later this year? I'd like to bring my balance, with points expiring at the end of the year, to a usable level, but I have no plans for stays in this period.

Can we be pretty sure there will be a similar offer later this year? I'd like to bring my balance, with points expiring at the end of the year, to a usable level, but I have no plans for stays in this period.

"Pretty sure" is probably the level of confidence I'd use. The economy for hotels has certainly not improved to the point where chains feel the need to dump their reliance on promos; in fact, with Carlson's recent big splash in this area, I'd assume hotel chains, including Choice, will be in this game for awhile.

I always figure there are a limited selection of promos chains can offer that are gussied up in some way to appear different from their own recent promos and promos offered by other chains. With Choice, their last four promos have been stay two times, earn 8000 points (they always say free night, but we know 8000's not enough for most hotels), earn 4X the points, earn airline miles + Choice points (or double Choice points), and now, again, stay two times, earn 8000 points.

I don't know that Choice will mechanically follow this pattern, but the principle is pretty clear--unlike SPG and other groups, Choice isn't pushing promos that emphasize stays one quarter and nights the next or that entice longer stays, such as SPG's current double/triple points promotion. I guess if they wanted to throw a curve ball into the mix and if they felt the need to raise awareness of these brands, Choice could try something like 3 stays gets you a night at any Cambria or Ascend Collection hotel, but that doesn't really seem their style.

Can we be pretty sure there will be a similar offer later this year? I'd like to bring my balance, with points expiring at the end of the year, to a usable level, but I have no plans for stays in this period.
It depends on the meaning of "similar". Yes, there's most likely going to be another "stay X earn NNNN points" promo later this year. But if last year's pattern holds (and we know that not), it could be that all further such promos this year will be tightly capped (ie, you'll only be able to earn a very small multiple of 8000 points unless you're high enough elite).

So if by "similar" you mean the "uncapped" aspect (ie, no limit on how many sets of 8000 points you can earn), that's the part I'm less sure about.

How does it work for elite bonuses? I.e. if I have 2 $100 stays to earn the 8k points, will my total points as a gold elite (10% bonus points) be 8,000 (elite bonus is absorbed by promo bonus), 8,800 (10% on 2 stay bonus total) or 8,200 (10% on the $200 spend)?

Elites and non-elites all get 8,000 for 2 stays. You will get your elite bonus for the first stay and then for the second stay you will get however many points it requires to reach 8,000.

How does it work for elite bonuses? I.e. if I have 2 $100 stays to earn the 8k points, will my total points as a gold elite (10% bonus points) be 8,000 (elite bonus is absorbed by promo bonus), 8,800 (10% on 2 stay bonus total) or 8,200 (10% on the $200 spend)?

So long as you don't stay at EconoLodge, Rodeway, Suburban, and MainStay, where a stay is defined as two nights rather than one as at the remaining Choice brands, this promo most rewards those who stay at the cheapest acceptable property, regardless of status. Nothing wrong with that, just sayin'. In fact, in plenty of places, I find I can spend about what I'd spend on EconoLodge, Rodeway, Suburban, or MainStay (or maybe even less) to get an acceptable Quality or Comfort Inn.

I won't be searching out any Cambrias to stay in for the next couple of months, though.

How does it work for elite bonuses? I.e. if I have 2 $100 stays to earn the 8k points, will my total points as a gold elite (10% bonus points) be 8,000 (elite bonus is absorbed by promo bonus), 8,800 (10% on 2 stay bonus total) or 8,200 (10% on the $200 spend)?

Elites and non-elites all get 8,000 for 2 stays. You will get your elite bonus for the first stay and then for the second stay you will get however many points it requires to reach 8,000.
Actually, you get the elite bonus on both stays. It's just not clear if you only look at "recent activity" on the Stay/Activity page, because there it only lists one bonus per stay. But that doesn't mean you only earn one bonus per stay. Pup up your statement (View My Statement higher up on the same page) and you should see something like this:
date of second stay:
Comfort Inn; COSTA MESA, CA 590
Diamond Point Bonus 295
Spring 2012 - Stay Twice 6,810

date of first stay:
Comfort Inn & Suites John; SANTA ANA, CA 600
Diamond Point Bonus 300


(The rates were $59.something and $60.something respectively.)

Having said that, what started out as a 50% Diamond bonus works out to less than 10% bonus on the total 8000 earned, if the rates are this low. So it doesn't matter all that much IMHO how it works exactly, the 8000 so dwarfs everything else (if you are doing one-night stays, anyway).

The promo states:

"•Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book through any channel"


What does "any channel" actually mean? Do bookings thru online travel sites (Expdia, Travelocty, Orbtz, etc.) count?

The promo states:

"•Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book through any channel"


What does "any channel" actually mean? Do bookings thru online travel sites (Expdia, Travelocty, Orbtz, etc.) count?

Any channel that normally earns points.

The promo states:

"•Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book through any channel"


What does "any channel" actually mean? Do bookings thru online travel sites (Expdia, Travelocty, Orbtz, etc.) count?
No. It means you can book directly with the hotel (over the phone or walk-up), or through a corportate travel agent. Ie, it means you can book any way that earns you points normally.

Those who aren't Elite Diamond or Elite Platinum cannot even book directly with the hotel and earn the bonus. They'll earn their normal points, but not the bonus. For "mere mortals", the bonus is only earned on bookings made at Choice online sites or through the Choice 800 number, no other ways.

"Any booking channel" expands that to all the other ways of booking (not to other websites than Choice's, but to other non-web ways of booking).

(You can't earn the bonus if you don't earn points to begin with. And you don't earn points at all on third-party booking sites.)

Any channel that normally earns points.

Thanks. Seems to be a consensus. The wording in the promo is very misleading IMHO, but actually policy seems clear enough.

I don't have any elite status with Choice, and have an upcoming stay where I'll need to book through corporate travel website...not sure about 2 things:
1) if it'll get me Choice points to begin with.
2) if the stay 2 night, get 1 free, will apply.

Any way to confirm, before I do the stay...I'd rather know right now, so I can stay somewhere else, and not get disappointed later on.

Thanks in advance!

I don't have any elite status with Choice, and have an upcoming stay where I'll need to book through corporate travel website...not sure about 2 things:
1) if it'll get me Choice points to begin with.
2) if the stay 2 night, get 1 free, will apply.
First of all, it's not "stay 2 night, get 1 free". I stay 2 times, get 1 free.

2 nights on the same stay do not get the bonus. Only two nights on completely separate stays (different hotels, or at least a one-day gap between stays if at the same hotel) get the bonus.

Next, this bonus will not apply to you if you have no elite status and book through a corporate travel website.

The promo clearly states that you only get this bonus if you book through Choice 800 number or the Choice website. The only exceptions are avialable to the two highest levels of elite (who can book through corporate travel websites and still get the bonus).

It may depend on the specific corporate website whether you'll get the regular points. People tend to know that from their own past experience (since any given person tends to need to always use the same corporate travel website).

I just stayed 2 nights - one in Boston then 1 in NYC - Both were BRGs - both comp nights. Would these qualify towards this promo???

I just stayed 2 nights - one in Boston then 1 in NYC - Both were BRGs - both comp nights. Would these qualify towards this promo???

No. You must have paid something to earn choice points, and you only earn this bonus if each stay earns points. If you stayed 2+ nights under the BRG for each stay, then you would earn points and the bonus.

Choice noob here, so help is appreciated. Are the redemptions limited to hotels with low redemption rates? (http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/CPRedemptionList?sid=x8NX4g.mXsX9gX1Z.6) this link on the choice website seems to imply so. OR can I bank up a bunch of points and redeem them at higher end properties, EG the Comfort Suites Chicago (25,000 points)


Also, at a Choice a "stay" is as little as one night, correct?

Choice noob here, so help is appreciated. Are the redemptions limited to hotels with low redemption rates? (http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/CPRedemptionList?sid=x8NX4g.mXsX9gX1Z.6) this link on the choice website seems to imply so. OR can I bank up a bunch of points and redeem them at higher end properties, EG the Comfort Suites Chicago (25,000 points)


Also, at a Choice a "stay" is as little as one night, correct?

1. You can accumulate 8,000 points bonuses over many stays. 10 stays = 40,000 points and you can get two 20,000 points reward nights or five 8,000 points reward nights.

2. Choice Budget brands: Rodeway and EconoLodge and Extended stay brands: MainStay and Suburban require two night stays for a "promotion stay" credit toward this offer.

All other Choice brands are one night counts as a stay for this promotion.

Choice noob here, so help is appreciated. Are the redemptions limited to hotels with low redemption rates? (http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/CPRedemptionList?sid=x8NX4g.mXsX9gX1Z.6) this link on the choice website seems to imply so. OR can I bank up a bunch of points and redeem them at higher end properties, EG the Comfort Suites Chicago (25,000 points)


Also, at a Choice a "stay" is as little as one night, correct?
Despite the hype about "stay twice earn a free night", you are simply earning points. So, yes, you can bank up those points and redeem them at any redemption level you wish.

As satori explained, a stay for this promo may be a two-night minimum at certain brands. But just to make clear: A stay is any number (1+ or 2+, depending on the brand) of consecutive nights at the same hotel, no matter how many times you check iin or check out. Ie, you can't turn a two -night stay at a Comfort into two one-night stays. You have to move to a different (1+) hotel on alternate nights to have two consecutive nights count as two stays. If you need 4 nights in a row in one area, then you can do hotel A one night, hotel B the next night, back to hotel A the third night, and back to hotel B the fourth night. (We call this "hotel hopping", and it's not unique to Choice by any means, most programs have at least some of their promos earn on a per-stay basis, and all hotel programs define a stay the same way.)

I don't have any elite status with Choice, and have an upcoming stay where I'll need to book through corporate travel website...not sure about 2 things:
1) if it'll get me Choice points to begin with.
2) if the stay 2 night, get 1 free, will apply.

Any way to confirm, before I do the stay...I'd rather know right now, so I can stay somewhere else, and not get disappointed later on.

Thanks in advance!

If you have time, get elite status by asking for a status match.


Then you don't have to worry about not having status and booking through a corporate site. :-)

I booked two nights at two different hotels to get the free night. I prepaid for both nights. If I don't show up for one of the nights, can I still get the points for the stay even if don't stay at the second place

I booked two nights at two different hotels to get the free night. I prepaid for both nights. If I don't show up for one of the nights, can I still get the points for the stay even if don't stay at the second place
If you mean can you still get the 8000 points, probably not if you don't even check in. Start at post 7 in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choice-privileges/1215109-can-someone-help-me-choice-promo-stay-2xs-get-night-free.html?highlight=don%27t+show+up

(The thread is in regards to a very similar promo from last year. The part of the thread dealing with your quesiton still applies.)

If you mean can you still get the 8000 points, probably not if you don't even check in. Start at post 7 in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choice-privileges/1215109-can-someone-help-me-choice-promo-stay-2xs-get-night-free.html?highlight=don%27t+show+up

(The thread is in regards to a very similar promo from last year. The part of the thread dealing with your quesiton still applies.)

Does anyone know for sure...

Does anyone know for sure...
Did you read those posts in that thread? It says it depends on the property (and even then may depend on more than that, like who's on duty that day).

We do know for sure that you can't depend on it.

We also know for sure that you cannot predict the exceptions without past "no show" experience(s) at the same hotel!

So unless you're willing to say which specific hotels these are, and someone reading this has expeerience with this exact issue at those specific hotels, I don't see how there's more precise prediction to be expected.

Now, what I can tell you from experience, is that some hotels are willing to rebook a prepaid rate for a different date. If this is a possible solution for you, you have to contact the hotel in question directly, and see if you can negotiate that. (But you then have to make sure that it'll earn points after such a rebooking, or else you'll recover the use of the money but still not earn the points. But perhaps if you are able to rebook that hotel for after the promo, you'll be able to afford to book a sscond "make up" hotel during the promo?)

By the way, in case you're not aware, 8000 points (which is what you earn) is only a free night at certain hotels at certain times of year. It's not even half of a free night at other hotels at other times of year. Understand that before you commit to a lot of effort to earn a "free night".

By the way, in case you're not aware, 8000 points (which is what you earn) is only a free night at certain hotels at certain times of year. It's not even half of a free night at other hotels at other times of year. Understand that before you commit to a lot of effort to earn a "free night".Jeez, what a buzzkill. :)

However - depending on the location of the property vis-a-vis the poster, the solution I've used is to physically check in and then go home (or wherever it is you're going). Unless housekeeping notices that no one was in the room last night and decides to tell management, and management is feeling particularly testy that morning, you should get credit for the stay.

For full belts-and-suspenders, I usually go to the room and mess up the bed, and then go back in the morning to pick up my receipt. Always works, but it might be inconvenient.

By the way, for newcomers, this notion of "remote checkin/get credit" was really abused a few years ago when you could book a Hilton in Las Vegas for $29/night (even if you were in Bumstumble, MI) and get credit. Lots of HH Diamonds were generated that way until Hilton (and everybody else) started clamping down in it.

It's axiomatic in FlyerTalk to answer this question with, "You have to physically check in". Period. All hotel programs, all promos. I'd further suggest that the only extremely rare reliable exceptions are if you are known by staff at the particular property. Further, there is usually such discussion in FlyerTalk related to every such promo, and even if someone finds a "breach" (e.g., a hotel that has staff that accepts "phantom stays") and tells here, it usually winks out when either the GM or someone at corporate sees the hemorrhage. As this can occur within a cancellation period, it's just not worth the risk. Anyway, the hemorrhage is what they're worried about, ironically. I've often wondered if it's because there's then a higher incidence than we see here of people calling their credit card company afterward and... :rolleyes:

Now, as noted by the sages above, it is usually quite acceptable to physically check in but never do more than use the card key on the room. (Not that that's literally a qualifier.) They don't have to make up the room. Win-win.

:)

Before anyone else jumps on this current offer, I want to draw your attention to the discussion we're having in another thread about a live page showing 24k points on first purchase and another 16k after first paid stay. There is no landing page but the terms and conditions clearly spell it out on the application page. More details in the other thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choice-privileges/1247856-24-000-8-000-points-no-fee-choice-credit-card-3.html#post18438041

Before anyone else jumps on this current offer, I want to draw your attention to the discussion we're having in another thread about a live page showing 24k points on first purchase and another 16k after first paid stay. There is no landing page but the terms and conditions clearly spell it out on the application page. More details in the other thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/choice-privileges/1247856-24-000-8-000-points-no-fee-choice-credit-card-3.html#post18438041
Are you sure you posted in the right thread? I don't understand what a credit card signup offer has to do with the 1+1=FREE promo which is on stays. :confused:

Are you sure you posted in the right thread? I don't understand what a credit card signup offer has to do with the 1+1=FREE promo which is on stays. :confused:

You're right, I'm wrong! Thanks for making me realize this. I got this 1+1=FREE offer confused with choicehotels.com's currently advertised ChocePrivileges Visa offer of Get the card + stay 1 night = 2 free nights. IF anyone is interested in getting the CARD, do the 24/16 link where you get 5 free nights!