Last edit by: rrgg
Choice points expire after 18 months of inactivity. The Choice FAQ lists ways to extend the expiration date:
- Qualifying point-eligible stay. Must check-in
- Redeeming for free nights (warning: don't touch or cancel the reservation)
- Redeeming for gift cards
- Redeeming for other awards : miles, cruise, magazines, golf, donations
- Earning points with the Choice Mastercard (and presumably the Visa, not currently available)
- Referring a friend who completes a points-eligible stay (the post date is used, not the referral date)
- Purchasing points
- Gifting points counts for the recipient only. (Listed further down in the FAQ.)
- Dining "Eat and Earn" (confirmed working)
- e-Rewards (confirmed)
- Transfer from Amex Membership Rewards to Choice (confirmed working 3/2023, despite terms)
- Transfer from Citi Thank You points to Choice (confirmed working)
- Car rental: Avis or Budget
- Cruise booking
- Golf equipment rental, tee times, and apps
- Transfer from Capital One points to Choice (probably works but unconfirmed)
- Transfer from Radisson Americas to Choice?
- Vinesse
- Redeeming a cash+points stay and then cancelling to effectively "buy" points
- Choice Shopping Mall, 1800Baskets, 1800Flowers, and Quicken Loans programs are discontinued
- You can redeem points for an award dated past your points expiration. If you cancel though, expect to lose points.
- Radisson Americas has a 24-month expiration policy.
- Choice earning page
Cheapest way to extend choice points expiration
#46
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
DONATE link was broken for me when I tried
#49
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,745
What is your location? If USA, then the date is July 1, 2021 (the US site uses the format: MM/DD/YYYY). I don't know if Choice has different websites for different countries (some hotel/airline sites are given custom makeovers for each country, but I'm US based so I don't know whether they follow along), but if so, it's possible that you would have an expiration date of January 7. 2021 (format: DD/MM/YYYY).
Choice, as are many other hotel/airline programs, is extending expiration dates for status members, but it appears that this policy does not extend to all members, such as those who have earned points but haven't reached one of their status tiers. Take a look at your activity list--in normal, non-covid times, there must be point activity (either earning or redemption) every 18 months to keep your account alive. If your last activity was in the June/July 2019 timeframe and you don't qualify for an extension by status, your expiration would be around January 2021. If your last activity was in the January 2020 timeframe and you don't qualify for an extension by status, your expiration should be July 1, 2021.
If you do qualify for one of Choice's status tiers, you should be getting a message shortly--I already have--that indicates that there is an extension of the activity deadline through December 31, 2021.
Choice, as are many other hotel/airline programs, is extending expiration dates for status members, but it appears that this policy does not extend to all members, such as those who have earned points but haven't reached one of their status tiers. Take a look at your activity list--in normal, non-covid times, there must be point activity (either earning or redemption) every 18 months to keep your account alive. If your last activity was in the June/July 2019 timeframe and you don't qualify for an extension by status, your expiration would be around January 2021. If your last activity was in the January 2020 timeframe and you don't qualify for an extension by status, your expiration should be July 1, 2021.
If you do qualify for one of Choice's status tiers, you should be getting a message shortly--I already have--that indicates that there is an extension of the activity deadline through December 31, 2021.
#50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,718
My last stay and checkout was 30th Dec 2019?
so I think 1st July 2021? I am abit upset. They should also extend the points for those who stayed in 2019? I had 8 nights in 2019. Was planning to visit Japan this year but everything is off. There is very limited properties in Asia for redemption
so I think 1st July 2021? I am abit upset. They should also extend the points for those who stayed in 2019? I had 8 nights in 2019. Was planning to visit Japan this year but everything is off. There is very limited properties in Asia for redemption
#51
Join Date: May 2009
Programs: AC
Posts: 187
200K points expired even after booking reward stay Jan 1st - beware
Made a booking while points hadn't yet expired. Account expiry showed 2022 expiry date change.
Cancelled and rebooked with a different date (made a mistake) during the same session. Expiry showed 2021 expiry. Logged in a week later. All points were removed.
Rewards point reservation for future stay remains in profile.
...but looks like if you cancel the booking near expiry and rebook...system will expire the account/points.
Rules show:
Qualifying Activities include redeeming Choice Privileges points,
https://www.choicehotels.com/en-ca/c...es-regulations
It's a shame that the program isn't more aligned with most other hotel programs extending expiry rules into August 2021...but more of a shame that the rules of the program don't account for changes.
Very dissapointed!
Liz, what say you?
Cancelled and rebooked with a different date (made a mistake) during the same session. Expiry showed 2021 expiry. Logged in a week later. All points were removed.
Rewards point reservation for future stay remains in profile.
...but looks like if you cancel the booking near expiry and rebook...system will expire the account/points.
Rules show:
Qualifying Activities include redeeming Choice Privileges points,
https://www.choicehotels.com/en-ca/c...es-regulations
It's a shame that the program isn't more aligned with most other hotel programs extending expiry rules into August 2021...but more of a shame that the rules of the program don't account for changes.
Very dissapointed!
Liz, what say you?
#52
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,630
Anyone else having problems buying points? I keep getting told that my purchase is pending and then roughly 48 hours later, the purchase is cancelled.
#53
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 446
We'll be happy to help you check what is going on with your account. When time allows, please send us a private message with your member number, full name, phone number, email, and mailing address. We'll be looking forward to hearing more from you. -Jendy
#54
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
I'm very disappointed that Choice has continued to expire points in the middle of a pandemic. I guess I reached the 18 month mark and Choice customer service were complete jerks about restoring the points. I realize this was my fault for allowing 18 months to lapse, but I thought most companies were relaxing policies right now.
#56
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
Choice has now offered to restore half of the points. I find this offer more offensive then the last (make a stay and get all points back).
They definitely aren't garnering any good will for when people start traveling again. I hope everyone that lost their points lets them know.
They definitely aren't garnering any good will for when people start traveling again. I hope everyone that lost their points lets them know.
#57
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, DL 500k, AA 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
#58
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,496
With the current promo (40%) I bought some points for my wife's account and they posted within a day.
My son's Alaska Airlines was actually past the 2yr activity point, but I was transferred from Choice (5,000) to Alaska (1,000), posted right away. I bought these points on Getaways sale, so I am not losing anything.
Last edited by JapanFlyerT; Mar 20, 2021 at 9:04 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SF
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTP, HH Dia
Posts: 1,128
Choice has now offered to restore half of the points. I find this offer more offensive then the last (make a stay and get all points back).
They definitely aren't garnering any good will for when people start traveling again. I hope everyone that lost their points lets them know.
They definitely aren't garnering any good will for when people start traveling again. I hope everyone that lost their points lets them know.
Update: Choice returned my points with the help of their flyertalk ambassador.
Last edited by ps9a; May 14, 2021 at 1:13 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
I eventually did get all of my points back, but the effort involved wasn't really worth it. There are many other programs that treat their customers better.
Last edited by bworrell; May 14, 2021 at 8:28 pm