Mar 26, 2023, 8:55 am
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
Mar 29, 2023, 2:18 pm
#77
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 451
Apr 3, 2023, 7:15 am
#78
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 59
I tried repeatedly to make a Points Plus Cash booking on Thursday 3/30 to keep my wife's points from expiring. I kept getting an error about the credit card payment failing, even trying several different cards, choosing a different hotel and date, and incognito mode. None of my cards even showed any pending or denied charges. I planned to try again Friday 3/31 but never had a chance to get back to it, so all her points just expired 
Do I have any options to reinstate them?
Do I have any options to reinstate them?
Apr 3, 2023, 11:00 am
#79
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 451
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We understand the importance of keeping your hard-earned points in the account and sincerely regret the difficulties you encountered while using our website. However, my team and I will gladly address your case in more detail. Please send us a DM with the account holder's name, phone number, and email address. Once we have this information, we will follow up with you. -Josh
Jun 9, 2023, 1:25 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,904
A few months ago I started a wikipost of activities to keep your account alive, based on what I'd read and Choice's earning page.
I don't know if they revised the Choice FAQ, but it now seems more specific about what counts.
Car rentals, dining, and transferring from Amex are ineligible. If you try these and find they work anyway, please share.
"As long as you are an active Choice Privileges member, your points never expire. You must, however, complete at least one qualifying activity every 18 months to maintain an active account and to retain your accumulated points. Choice Privileges points are forfeited in accounts that have no qualifying activity during the previous 18 consecutive calendar months.
To remain active in the program and retain your points, you must have at least one of the following activities every 18 consecutive calendar months:
- Qualifying point-eligible stay (earning points or miles),
- Redeeming Choice Privileges points (free nights, gift cards etc.)
- Earning points with the Choice Privileges Mastercard® card (US members only)
- Purchasing points
- Referring a Friend*
I don't know if they revised the Choice FAQ, but it now seems more specific about what counts.
Car rentals, dining, and transferring from Amex are ineligible. If you try these and find they work anyway, please share.
"As long as you are an active Choice Privileges member, your points never expire. You must, however, complete at least one qualifying activity every 18 months to maintain an active account and to retain your accumulated points. Choice Privileges points are forfeited in accounts that have no qualifying activity during the previous 18 consecutive calendar months.
To remain active in the program and retain your points, you must have at least one of the following activities every 18 consecutive calendar months:
- Qualifying point-eligible stay (earning points or miles),
- Redeeming Choice Privileges points (free nights, gift cards etc.)
- Earning points with the Choice Privileges Mastercard® card (US members only)
- Purchasing points
- Referring a Friend*
*The Refer-a-Friend option awards points to your account when a friend enrolls in the Choice Privileges Rewards Program and completes a point-eligible stay. The point forfeiture date will be based on the date the points post to your account, not on the date of the referral.
What are examples of activities that do not qualify?
Examples of non-qualifying activities include stays that are not point-eligible, registering for a promotion, and gifting points (this only counts as a qualifying activity for the member who receives the points, not the member who gifts the points)."
What are examples of activities that do not qualify?
Examples of non-qualifying activities include stays that are not point-eligible, registering for a promotion, and gifting points (this only counts as a qualifying activity for the member who receives the points, not the member who gifts the points)."
Last edited by rrgg; Jun 9, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Jun 11, 2023, 9:11 pm
#81
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 118
Does E Rewards Purchase of 1000 Choice miles Extend expiration?
Through the Choice purchase of Radisson I transferred my Radisson points to choice. I understand their is an 18 month expiration if their is no activity.
Does the purchase of 1,000 choice points through the E Rewards program extend expiration?
Thank you,
SBT
Does the purchase of 1,000 choice points through the E Rewards program extend expiration?
Thank you,
SBT
Jun 12, 2023, 2:07 pm
#82
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 451
Hi, there. Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry. Please know points do not expire as long as your account remains active. You must have at least one qualifying activity every 18 months to maintain an active status and retain your accumulated points. Qualifying activity includes a qualifying point-eligible stay, redeeming Choice Privileges points (free nights, gift cards, etc.), purchasing points, etc. However, we don't want to miss this opportunity to look at your account; when time allows, please reply through a private message with the mailing address, phone number, email address, and full name associated with the profile. We'll be waiting for your message. -Zaira
Jun 25, 2023, 12:08 am
#83
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kobe, Japan
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,532
More recently I see my account has been extended with a point stay, so I guess worldwide stays do count now.
Jul 17, 2023, 11:00 am
#85
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 451
Thank you for informing us of your case. We are glad to hear that your points did not expire. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to send us a private message. Take care. -Josh
Aug 27, 2023, 5:41 pm
#87
Company Representative, Choice Hotels
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 451
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are glad to hear that you are taking advantage of our benefits. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. Regards. -Josh
Mar 14, 2024, 5:43 am
#88
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
DP-I transferred 1,000 Citi Thank You points to Choice at a 1:2 ratio. My expiration was extended instantly. Is this covered in the wiki?