Choice Privileges covers Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria, MainStay, Ascend, and — since the Radisson Americas acquisition in 2022 — Country Inn, Park Inn, and Radisson Blu Americas. Total footprint: roughly 7,500 properties, mostly US-focused. The program is modestly ranked on its own, but has one specific superpower: Citi ThankYou Points transfer at 1:2, unlocking outsized redemption value.
The Citi ThankYou transfer sweet spot
Choice Privileges is the only major hotel program that accepts Citi ThankYou Points at a 1:2 ratio. Every 1,000 ThankYou Points becomes 2,000 Choice points. For Citi Premier, Citi Prestige, or Citi Strata Premier holders, this is a redemption path worth knowing.
Example math: a $160 Cambria stay might redeem at 8,000-10,000 Choice points. Via the Citi 1:2 transfer, that's 4,000-5,000 ThankYou Points — roughly 3-4¢ per ThankYou point of practical value. That beats Citi's other hotel transfer partners by a meaningful margin.
Award pricing structure
Choice uses tiered award pricing with categories ranging from 8,000 points per night (budget properties, off-peak) to 35,000 points per night (upper-tier, peak). Typical tier prices:
| Tier | Points/night | Property examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8,000 | Budget Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn |
| 2 | 12,000 | Standard Comfort, Quality, MainStay |
| 3 | 16,000 | Clarion, some Cambria |
| 4 | 20,000 | Cambria in major markets |
| 5 | 25,000 | Cambria peak, select Ascend |
| 6 | 30,000 | Upper-tier Ascend properties |
| 7 | 35,000 | Peak Radisson Blu, select luxury Ascend |
What changed after the Radisson Americas acquisition
In 2022, Choice acquired Radisson's Americas portfolio. Now Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, and Radisson Blu properties in the Americas redeem through Choice Privileges rather than Radisson Rewards. This meaningfully expanded Choice's upper-tier inventory — Radisson Blu properties in Minneapolis, Chicago, and select other US cities now clear at 20k-25k Choice points.
Status tiers
| Tier | Qualification | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 10 nights | Preferred room, early check-in |
| Platinum | 20 nights | Room upgrade, 50% bonus earning |
| Diamond | 40 nights | Best available room, guaranteed late checkout |
Like Wyndham, Choice's elite qualification is relatively accessible (20 nights to Platinum), but benefits are modest. The program's value concentrates in award redemption, not elite perks.
Who Choice Privileges is for
- Citi ThankYou Points holders who want a hotel transfer option with strong per-TYP value.
- Road-trip and US-domestic travelers who'd use Comfort Inn or Cambria brands regularly.
- Travelers targeting specific Radisson Blu or Country Inn properties in the Americas.
- Cost-conscious travelers who value predictable tier pricing.
Who should pick differently
- Luxury-focused travelers — Choice's upper tier is modest compared to Marriott St. Regis or Hilton Conrad.
- Global travelers — Choice's international footprint is narrower than Marriott, Hilton, or IHG.
- Chase UR or Amex MR heavy — no direct transfer; Hyatt or Marriott serve UR/MR holders better.
FAQ
How does the Citi 1:2 transfer actually work?
Log into Citi's ThankYou portal, navigate to transfer partners, select Choice. Transfer in 1,000-point increments. Transfer is typically instant. Your Choice account receives 2x the points you transferred.
Which Citi cards earn transferable ThankYou Points?
Citi Premier ($95 AF), Citi Prestige (no longer issued to new applicants), Citi Strata Premier, and Citi Rewards+ (though Rewards+ points don't all transfer). Premier and Strata Premier are the mainstream choices.
Can I transfer Chase UR or Amex MR to Choice?
No. Citi ThankYou is the only major transferable currency partnering with Choice at 1:2.
Do Choice points expire?
Yes, after 18 months of inactivity. Any earning or redemption resets.
Is Choice Privileges worth maintaining as a primary program?
Generally no — thin elite benefits and modest upper-tier redemption ceiling. Better positioned as a secondary program for travelers with Citi ThankYou Points who occasionally stay at Comfort Inn, Cambria, or Radisson Blu.
Last verified April 2026.