meraki

I am looking to book a stay with a Choice hotel in Norway (would be transferring from amex)

However every time I try to search for a hotel in June, it says "sold out". But when I put a random search in October, it says "can be booked with points for stays before April 22, 2018". Is it normal that Choice blocks out the entire summer from point redemption? or do I just have to wait to book using points closer to my actual stay? Just curious because I tried dates in May through July and it says "sold out" but in October it says you can't book with points after April 22.

OhDoctor

You can't book award stays that far in advance if you don't have elite status.

Newby question - Choice Hotel award nights totally blacked out for next year?

sdsearch

Choice Privileges always puts time limit "windows" on hotel rewards redemption.

If you have no status, you can only book 30 days in advance "domestically" and 60 days in advance "internationally".

Only Choice elite status (at higher levels) lengthens that, up to 100 days ahead for Diamond status. No one can book Choice Privileges award stays further than 100 days out.

But even a Diamond at 100 days would only be able to book through July 1 at this point. And a Platinum would only be able to book through early June at this point.

Do also read the thread that OhDoctor linked, it has even more info on this.

Btw, I keep spelling out Choice Privileges because there are other Choice programs in a few parts of the world, and their redemption rules might be different. But it's difficult to earn in those other Choice programs if you don't live or at least travel very often (on paid Choice stays) where they're based.

meraki

Thanks for the responses, I knew something was up, it just seemed weird when I was searching.

I tried to get a status match (Starwood gold) but I haven't gotten a response.