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Over the past couple of years, Choice Hotels has expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of Radisson Americas, as well as partnerships with Preferred Hotels. If you're giving the Choice Privileges rewards program a fresh look, good news: Now's the best time to consider a status match to Choice.
That's because status matches between January and June are only valid until the end of the current calendar year. Status matches completed between July and December will give you elite status until the end of the following calendar year. Thus, it's best to status match to Choice Privileges after July 1.
This is just one of many status matches between hotel rewards programs.
How to Status Match to Choice Privileges
Travelers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand can status match from another hotel rewards program to Choice Privileges Rewards. You'll have to send your email to a different address depending on your location:
- US and Canadian members should email Status_Match@choicehotels.com
- European members should email Status_Match_EU@choicehotels.com
- Australian and New Zealander members should email CP@choicehotels.com.au
Use the subject line “Choice Privileges Status Match”. You must provide your full name, Choice Privileges member number, and proof of elite status in another hotel program. Proof can be in the form of a screenshot or a copy of your other program's loyalty card (including expiration date). Alternatively, you can screenshot or copy the other program's current statement or account status page.
Choice notes that it will respond within 30 days to let you know if your status is matched.
What status will you get?
Choice Hotels does not provide a table for how other hotel elite statuses match to Choice Privileges elite status. However, Choice notes that you can only status match up to Platinum Elite status — not top-tier Diamond Elite.
How often can you status match to Choice?
It's important to note that members are restricted to one status match per lifetime. As such, make it count and match between July 1 and December 31 to get the most out of your match.
Choice Diamond Elite Status Jump via Cambria Hotels
Shooting for Diamond Elite status or bust? The good news is you can get top-tier Choice Diamond elite status after just one stay at Cambria Hotels. To qualify, you'll still need elite status with a competing hotel loyalty program.
After your stay, you'll need to send an email to Status_Match@choicehotels.com (US/Canada members) or Status_Match_EU@choicehotels.com (European members) with your:
- Full name
- Choice Privileges member number
- Screenshot or copy of Cambria hotel guest folio/receipt
- Proof of Elite status in another hotel program — again, this can be a screenshot of your loyalty card (with expiration date) or a screenshot of your current statement or account status page
To qualify, your night must be points-eligible — meaning it's not booked with points or an ineligible cash rate. See more details about that below. Also, note that Choice Diamond Elite Status isn't available to members in Australia or New Zealand.
Terms and conditions of Choice Diamond Elite Status Jump
- To qualify, your Cambria Hotels stay must have occurred within the last 12 months.
- Matched status is valid through the end of the current year if requested between January-June. Status matches requested in July-December are valid through the end of the following year.
- Points eligible nights for the Choice Diamond Elite Status do not include rooms booked at rates below $40 USD per night; certain hotel-initiated promotions; reward night stays, complimentary rooms, rooms paid for as part of a convention or meeting, rooms booked through a travel agent or third party online retailer including online travel agencies, wholesale packages, group tours, and stays booked using the employee discount or the friends, family and associate discount.
- Status matching is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After your first status match, you will need to reach the required number of nights to attain your Choice Privileges elite status.
Choice Privileges Elite Status Benefits
Choice Privileges offers three tiers of elite status, each with rather similar benefits. All Choice members get an exclusive members rate and Your Extras perks like coffee cards, airline miles, and online shopping credits for weekday stays.
Choice Privileges elite members get early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades, a welcome gift, an elite customer hotline, elite reserved parking, plus elite bonus points and rollover nights as follows:
- Gold elites earn 10% elite bonus points and can roll over up to 9 nights.
- Platinum elites earn 25% elite bonus points and can roll over up to 19 nights.
- Diamond elites earn 50% elite bonus points and can roll over up to 39 nights. Additionally, Diamond Elite members get guaranteed room availability and breakfast at select brands.
Our Take
Historically, Choice Hotels has been known for offering lower-end hotels in the United States. However, the hotel chain has been revamping that by ditching poor-performing hotels, adding high-end brands like Cambria Hotels, and acquiring the full portfolio of 624 Radisson Hotels Americas properties.
This makes having Choice Privileges elite status even more valuable as we enter the second half of 2024. By matching now, you'll get elite status through the end of 2025.
Remember, you can always get the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® for complimentary Choice Privileges Platinum Elite status. And don't forget to collect your bonus points through the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn program.
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