Here is my timeline for my annual choice benefits this year:

- July nth: I checked out from a one night hotel stay, my 50th night for the year.
- July (n+2)th: My 50th night showed up in my account along with the "You qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit for staying 50 nights" message. I did not make any choice at that time.

- Dec xth: I checked out from a two-night hotel stay, my 69th and 70th nights for the year.
- Dec (x+2)th: My 69th and 70th nights showed up in my account.
- also Dec (x+2)th: I made my 50 night annual choice benefit by clicking on the "You qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit for staying 50 nights" message (under overview), choosing 5 Elite nights.
- Dec (x+3)th: My 5 Elite nights showed up in my account, raising my total to 75. However, the "You qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit for staying 50 nights" message was still in my account - but when I clicked on it this time I was recognized as having 75 nights and given the 75 night choices. I chose the free night up to 40K. I then logged out of my account and immediately logged back in and saw that my 40K certificate had posted. FWIW, I could still see the "You qualify for an Annual Choice Benefit for staying 50 nights" message.