A good feature of the Choice program is that there are no blackout dates or capacity controls. If they've got a room, you can redeem a reward for it. [One limitation, as the previous poster said: For domestic, can't book more than 30 days out; for international, that's relaxed to 60 days.] I have had no problem redeeming. Also they are always running promotions, like the current one which is triple points (or miles) for rooms booked at their web site (double points or miles for all other bookings).
Originally Posted by steve4
I'm a member of both SPG and Choice Privileges and I feel that SPG is better with regard to redemption options (no blackout dates and capacity controls), but Choice Privileges has an advantage with locations. You don't have to stay in a major city because there are Comfort Inns all over the place.
I got the Choice Privileges Visa card last year and redeemed the bonus points for a free night. I think the general rules about redemption are that you cannot book a free stay more than 30 days in advance, but that was not a problem for me. Overall, redeeming the points for a free night seemed pretty painless to me. Now, I think you can book free stays online. I will try that this summer. I think the only drawback with this program is that points expire after two years, whereas with SPG I don't think there is an expiration date.