Choice Privileges - How Do I Ever Use My Points?

I've been a member of CP for a while and although I don't stay there a lot, have managed to save up about 60,000 points. But the points seem almost impossible to use, unless I'm inclined to go on vacation at the last minute.

Am I correct that you can only use points to book rooms less than 30 days out? If so, is there a way around this?

I travel a ton, and need to plan my vacations several months (or longer) in advance.

The last time I had a bunch of points expiring, I exchanged them for a gift certificate. I really would like to use the points to stay at their hotels if I could. Any advice?

I've been a member of CP for a while and although I don't stay there a lot, have managed to save up about 60,000 points. But the points seem almost impossible to use, unless I'm inclined to go on vacation at the last minute.

Am I correct that you can only use points to book rooms less than 30 days out? If so, is there a way around this?

I travel a ton, and need to plan my vacations several months (or longer) in advance.

The last time I had a bunch of points expiring, I exchanged them for a gift certificate. I really would like to use the points to stay at their hotels if I could. Any advice?Well, I don't want to sound too snarky, but around here, 60K points is not considered a lot -- won't even get you one night at the New Zealand Clarions. :)

1. Yes, it's true - if you have no status, and you're booking domestically, you have a 30-day window. Plats and Diamonds have much longer windows (90-days for Diamonds. Not great, but a lot better).

2. Given that, I typically select the area I'd like to stay at and check out if there are any properties suitable. Because of the vast number of Choice props, it's usually not hard to find at least two that are around. Then I assume at least one of them will have award rooms open and make plans accordingly.

3. For braces-and-belt security, you can actually book the room a year in advance, and go for the award nights as the window opens up. Then cancel the booking. Some have stated it's better to do it the other way (cancel and then book award) because the booked room will then go back into inventory, but I don't know it that's true.

4. Like a lot of folks on this board. paying for flights with miles domestically and using points to get rooms (most areas) is a poor use of the 'currency'. All my miles and points go to international travel, and I've spent over a half-million Choice points in the last years or so at international destinations.

5. You could wait until Choice announces their ('usual') sale on Preferred Hotels properties. Your 60K points will get you 2 or 3 nights (depending on the promo) at some very nice properties.

6. Spending Choice points in certain locations (e.g., New York City) violates rule 4 above, but the dollar value of the room you can get with points makes this a real possibility.

7. If you don't like gift/cash/gas cards, 60K points will get you 20 Southwest RR credits, good for one free trip with some left over.

In truth, Choice seems well on the way to devaluing their program with the point inflation, but there are still bargains to be had in Europe (the only place I really look), and I'm considering tapering off my pounding the whey out of their promos, but, ... , well, old habits die hard. :)

BigLar -

Thanks for the advice! I do understand that I don't have a lot of points (most of my points are either Priority Club or Marriott), but I don't want the points to expire and have tried unsuccessfully several times to use them domestically. Choice hotels aren't my first choice, but there are some places where they are the only decent hotel in town, and when I earn points for those stays, I sure want to be able to use them.

I will take your advice about booking the hotel I want and then cancelling within the 30 day window.

Thanks again!

In truth, Choice seems well on the way to devaluing their program with the point inflation, but there are still bargains to be had in Europe (the only place I really look), and I'm considering tapering off my pounding the whey out of their promos, but, ... , well, old habits die hard. :)

This is the key in my view - only use Choice points in Europe, where 60,000 points could well be a week's stay. Although I tend to plan the blow-out vacations well in advance (like the OP), I'm flexible enough on hotels to book at another hotel on a good - but cancelable - rate until I'm eligible to book reward nights.

Did you notice the offer to exchange CP for DL miles at 2X the normal rate? This only goes for a few more days. I got some good out of orphaned miles this way, but may not suit you if not a DL flyer.

The 30 day policy really is a loser for me for the reason you stated. It's pretty tough to plan a trip involving air within 30 days. I feel the intent is for Choice to fill their rooms with paying customers and then open the remaining rooms up to point redemptions. I try to avoid Choice, but do end up at one of their properties usually a few times a year. Keep an eye on the expiration of the points, as there is no way to extend their expiration. I try to use my points as soon as I can in this program so as not to lose them. You mentioned being a Priority Club member. As you know, those points don't expire so you can bank them forever.