Choice Hotels Choice Privileges Hotel Loyalty 2012-Q2 promotions

Choice Privileges: Best Midscale Promotion for April

Choice Privileges 8,000 points after two stays from March 8 to May 8, 2012 is a recurring offer. The promotion advertising says stay two times and earn a free night. The actual offer is earn 8,000 total points after two stays. Important to note that this is not 8,000 bonus points after two stays. Spend $200 and earn 2,000 base points and the promotion adds an extra 6,000 bonus points for a total 8,000 points after two stays.

This offer can be earned unlimited times for US and Canada resident members. There is a 48,000 points limit for Choice Privileges members residing in other countries.

In a recent post, Choice Privileges: Booking High Value Reward Nights in Europe (March 26, 2012), I showed 8,000 points buys some high-priced hotel nights in Europe. Paris is a good deal with Choice Privileges points. The seasonal variation of Choice Privileges reward cost means hotels can be 8,000 points one month and 20,000 points another month. There appear to be a higher proportion of desirable location hotels outside the USA available as 8,000 points reward nights compared to domestic hotels.

The value of Choice Privileges points for international travel and the ability to earn 8,000 points every two stays on low cost Choice Hotels in the U.S. is why I call this offer the best deal for April hotel stays if you can tolerate midscale hotel travel.

Here is my original post analyzing this promotion from March 7, 2012.

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5,000 bonus points minimum is unpublished promotion term.

The only guarantee here is that the Choice Privileges bonus will be at least 5,000 bonus points after two stays. That term is not anywhere in the promotion terms that I can find, but a Choice Privileges executive wrote me to say that my example I’ve used the past couple of years is not correct to say a person spending $600 and earning 6,000 base points will only get 2,000 bonus points for this offer. The email stated there is a 5,000 bonus points minimum for two eligible stays with this promotion.

Perhaps the 5,000 points minimum bonus will be written in the promotion terms and conditions the next time this offer comes around.

Hidden FAQ terms.

One of the most important terms of this Choice Privileges promotion offer is buried in the fine print of the FAQ which is not even clearly marked as a webpage link on the promotion page.

How many times can I receive the bonus?
Choice Privileges members in US and Canada can earn the bonus an unlimited number of times, with arrival between March 8, 2012 and May 8, 2012. Choice Privileges members in Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Australasia can earn up to six (6) free nights through this promotion.

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Click on the words Frequently Asked Questions and these details appear:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotional offer?

Choice Privileges members can stay two separate times and earn enough points to redeem for a free night at over 1,500 hotels when booking at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE. Members must register at ChoiceHotels.com/earnafreenight in advance of stay to be eligible.

What are the dates for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?
This promotion applies for stays arriving from March 8, 2012 to May 8, 2012.

Are bookings made through my mobile device eligible for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?
Yes. Bookings made through your mobile device are eligible for this promotion.

Is there a booking requirement for Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum Choice Privileges members?
Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members are eligible to book qualifying stays through any channel, including hotel direct.

Can any guest earn the free night?
Choice Privileges members must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) and Canada and register at ChoiceHotels.com/earnafreenight in advance to be eligible for this promotion. Registration is not required for Choice Privileges members in Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Australasia.

Is the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion based on stays or nights?
This promotion is based on stays. You will have to stay two separate times to be eligible for this promotion.

How is a “Stay” defined?
For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay®, and MainStay Suites® hotels, a stay is defined as two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Collection® hotels, a stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any property included in the Choice Privileges program.

How many times can I receive the bonus?
Choice Privileges members in US and Canada can earn the bonus an unlimited number of times, with arrival between March 8, 2012 and May 8, 2012. Choice Privileges members in Mexico, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe and Australasia can earn up to six (6) free nights through this promotion.

Are international stays included in the promotion?
Stays at all hotels included in the Choice Privileges program will count towards the promotion, as long as a qualifying stay is booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE.

Is there a booking requirement to be eligible for the Stay Two Separate Times Earn One Night Free promotion?
Yes. Stays must be booked at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE with arrival between March 8, 2012 and May 8, 2012.

Can I use the Choice Privileges points earned any way I choose?

You may redeem the Choice Privileges points earned for any redemption option you wish. You can use the points as soon as you receive them, or retain them until you accumulate enough points for higher reward levels or other redemptions.

When will the bonus points post to my account?
After every second qualifying stay, allow 72 hours from check-out for the bonus points to post to your Choice Privileges account.

When do my Choice Privileges points expire?
Choice Privileges points expire on December 31, two years after the year in which they were deposited into your account unless forfeited or canceled earlier due to membership inactivity or otherwise in accordance to these rules and regulations.

How do I redeem the free night?
A free night is based on an 8,000 point Choice Privileges reward night level. A free night at most Choice Privileges locations requires more than 8,000 points. You can redeem your points for a free night only through your online profile at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling Choice Privileges Reservations.

What is the Advanced Purchase Rate?
Advance Purchase Rate means that the reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels.com using your Choice Privileges number and must be made at least 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which will vary based on the hotel for which a reservation is being made. The rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. Learn more here.

Where can I learn more about the Choice Privileges program?
Click here to visit choiceprivileges.com.

Who do I contact if I have further questions?
E-mail choice_privileges@choicehotels.com.

 

Choice Privileges low rates in Monterey.

To illustrate the leverage potential of Choice Hotels and this loyalty promotion, I checked rates in Monterey, California for Tuesday, April 10.

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Munras Avenue is hotel alley in Monterey and these hotels offer the option to mattress run your way to numerous points.  There are several other Choice Hotels in the Monterey Peninsula area.

The ability to earn 8,000 points with $125 in hotel spend and then redeem 8,000 points for a $200 per night hotel in Paris, London or Sydney is a jumpstart on cheap summer travel.

Here is my previous analysis of the Choice Privileges Stay 2 times = 1 Free Night.

Choice Privileges 8,000 points for 2 Stays March 8-May 8 (March 7, 2012)

1 Comment

  • Charles Clarke April 13, 2012

    BTW, if you have status with Choice, you get your elite bonus on the base rate in addition to the 8K points. It is usually dwarfed by the bonus getting you to 8K, but it is still there. e.g. 376 points for being elite, 6560 points for signing up for the promo.

    Shows the value of being on top of the promos, whether through Loyalty Traveler or elsewhere.

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