I'm considering staying at one of the Choice properties in the area, since they are running a triple rewards promo for Southwest. I've never stayed at one before, and am unfamiliar with their program.

On looking at the website, it seems that:

1. They have no elite levels - everyone is the same. True?
2. I get 10 points/$ spent
3. If I use the Choice Visa, I get 15 pts/$
4. Does #2 and #3 imply I can get 25 pts/$ if I use their card?
5. Do the points I earn apply to their properties all over the world?

Currently Marriott Plat and Hilton Diamond. These guys might be useful for various purposes, and it's nice to have a chain to fall back on, since they seem to be just about everywhere.

The 15 points/dollar figure includes the original 10 points/dollar you earn by staying.

The elite levels seemed to have mysteriously disappeared. They were introduced at the start of 2005. However, the only benefits were a 10% bonus for gold and a 15% bonus for Plat.

The points you earn can be used worldwide. However, i believe earning is limited to United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean

They still have the elite program, but for some reason there is no mention of it on their web site. I am Platinum, and I regularly get the 15% bonus (the chintziest top tier bonus in the whole travel industry I bet). Anyhow, I sent them an e-mail inquiring, and they eventually responded that the program still does exist. Here was their e-mail to me:
"Thank you for your email. To earn the Gold Status, you must have 10 qualifying nights within a calender year. With the Gold status you earn a 10% bonus on points for eligible stays.
With the Platinum Status, you must have 30 qualifying nights within a calender year. Platinum members earn a 15% bonus on points for eligible stays."

Interesting. I have about 20 qualifying nights so far this year, but I have not received a Gold card nor have I received any 10% bonuses.

All stays in 2005 are reconciled at the end of the year and elite status is given for 2006. Choice does not currently offer elite benefits for those who have crossed a threshold until the next calendar year.

FYI to all, I also inquired about the elite levels disappearing from the website and got a very interesting answer. The CSR at the elite CS line stated that "they were taken off the website because they ran out of space. The elite levels are still in place and not going anywhere."

Just keep in mind that WHILE you're using it for the triple rewards promo for Southwest, you must choose to earn Southwest credits directly (not points), so how many points you get matters not.

The other thing to keep in mind: Periodically (one just ended) they run a promo which is billed as stay 2 times and get a free night. This works by them award many thousands of bonus points on every second stay, which makes the amount of points you earn for the actual stay pretty insignficant (since the number of bonus points you earn is whatever is needed to get you to an award level after the points you earned for the two stays!).

In keeping with good freeloading values , I would recommend staying with Choice mostly when they're running one of these two periodic promos, and using the times when they're not running those promos to focus on maintaining your status elsewhere.

Keep in mind that Choice is mostly midline (and often lower midline at that), and there's nothing to "upgrade" to (in terms of elite status) at many of their properties. So, again, elite will mostly get you more points, but nowhere near as many as the periodic bonuses will...

I typically only pay to stay at Choice Hotels only during the 2 night, 8000 point promotion, and then "cash the points in" when the promo isn't running.
It is worth noting that 5,000 Choice Points can be redeemed for 2 Southwest credits. If Southwest points are important, the 2 night, 8000 point promo is essentially equivalent to the current 1.5 credits per night.

One thing to note. All Choice Hotels are not equal. They vary widely. Very widely. I believe the branded pecking order is as follows:

Clarion
Sleep Inn
Main Stay Suites
Comfort Inn
Quality Inn
Rodeway/Econo Lodge

You may want to do some searching for some travel review sites before booking to prevent some unpleasant surprises.

hey thanks.....i never knew about the 5,000 Choice Points being albe to be redeemed for 2 Rapid Reward points. That is very good to know -- especially if you end up with way too many Choice Points. Also I noticed suddenly there is NO MENTION on the Choice website about this Triple Southwest Airline promotion. Can't find it anywhere.

Another question. Does anyone know how long it takes for a stay to appear in the account? I have two stays at Choice Hotels in that last two weeks that have yet to appear. What is the average time that you have noticed?

A little off-topic, but, since you mentioned the pecking order, I'd like to know, do Sleep Inns just have showers, no bathtubs? I haven't stayed in a lot of them, but, the few I've been in, it's only a shower. For all you youngters out there, some of us old people still like to soak in a tub.

I believe so. At least based on all my 5 stays I've had at different Sleep Inns in the course of 3 years. According to Choice Hotel's website, Sleep Inn's oversized shower is their signature "characteristic" that sets them apart from other brands of Choice Hotels.

...how the heck do you run out of space on a web page? oops, the elite levels fell off the edge of the Internet?

Here is the pecking order:
1. Clarion
2. Mainstay
3. Comfort Inn
4. Quality Inn
5. Sleep Inn

6. Rodeway/Econo Lodge


Quality and Sleep Inn locations vary depending on the location, but you will never see a Sleep Inn that is considered a 4 star hotel. You do see some Quality Inns that are listed as such, especially in major cities. That said, Sleep Inns are some of the best budget hotels out there. That is why some make the err of thinking they are higher in the pecking order than they really are.

TJ

Some of my stays took 16 days to post. Plus since they did software upgrade 2 weeks ago getting into your accounthas been a real pain. Sometimes it been 8 hours before I was able to Log In.

It is on the home page now, takes you to this page:

http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-...i.inWrig8T8i.1

This winter, it's easy to receive triple Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards� credit.
Just stay at any Choice hotel between December 1, 2005 and January 19, 2006.

You'll receive triple Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards� credit (1.5 credits vs. 0.5 credits).
Offer valid on all qualifying stays at any Comfort Inn�, Comfort Suites�, Quality�, Sleep Inn�, Clarion�, MainStay Suites�, Econo Lodge� or Rodeway Inn� hotel in the U.S.
For more information on Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards or reservations, visit southwest.com.
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