![\"The](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ch_comfort_inn_suites_port_richey_florida-900x611.png\")
Page Contents<\/p>
- Overview: Changes to Choice Privileges in 2026<\/a><\/li>
- Lower Elite Status Requirements with Choice Privileges<\/a>
- Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Thresholds in 2026:<\/a><\/li>
- Earn Status Faster with Choice Privileges Credit Cards<\/a><\/li>
- Introduction of Elite Qualifying Credits<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- New Choice Privileges Titanium Tier<\/a>
- The Titanium Travel Award<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Milestone Rewards Replaces “Your Extras”<\/a>
- Earning Milestones Rewards and The Perks You'll Receive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Rollover Nights are No Longer<\/a><\/li>
- Additional Changes to Choice Privileges in 2026<\/a>
- Return and Earn: Earn bonus points on 2nd and 3rd qualifying stays<\/a><\/li>
- Lasting Recognition: Drop only one elite tier in a calendar year<\/a><\/li>
- Points Sharing: “Coming Soon”<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Overview: Changes to Choice Privileges in 2026<\/span><\/h2>\n
As of January 1, 2026, Choice Hotels rolled out an overhauled Choice Privileges program<\/a> that changes how the program rewards its members. The overhaul focuses on three main areas:<\/p>\n
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- Making elite status easier to earn and adding a second way to earn status<\/li>\n
- Introducing a new top-tier status<\/li>\n
- Reworking how members earn rewards throughout the year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Choice Hotels lowered elite status qualification thresholds across all existing tiers with the number of nights required to earn Gold, Platinum, and Diamond status reduced by up to 50%. Now, elite status with Choice Privileges is earned after just 5 qualifying nights in a calendar year.<\/p>\n
For the program's most loyal guests, Choice Privileges gets a new Titanium tier that is positioned above its Diamond tier. This new status comes with a unique annual benefit \u2013 the Titanium Travel Award \u2013 which allows eligible members to redeem one award stay at a 50% points discount at select premium properties.<\/p>\n
Finally, Choice has phased out the \u201cYour Extras\u201d perk with a new Milestone Rewards structure. Instead of earning small perks tied to specific stay types, members now unlock rewards after reaching cumulative night milestones throughout the year.<\/p>\n
The good news is that there is a lower barrier to entry at the bottom end and a solid new benefit at the top end of the program. The mixed news is that the perks travelers received as part of “Your Extras” are now tied to a milestone system which may put more casual travelers at a disadvantage.<\/p>\n
There is one piece of bad news as a result of this program overhaul. Member that hold Choice Privileges elite status can no longer earn rollover nights.<\/p>\n
Here is a closer look at just how much easier it will be to earn Choice Privileges elite status in 2026.<\/p>\n
Lower Elite Status Requirements with Choice Privileges<\/span><\/h2>\n
As mentioned, the number of nights needed to earn elite status with Choice Privileges has been reduced by up to 50%. This reduction is most notable for the program's entry-level status. But, across the board, the number of nights needed to reach elite tiers has been cut by 5 nights. Here's what that means for the three existing elite tiers:<\/p>\n
Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Thresholds in 2026:<\/span><\/h3>\n
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- Gold status<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>5 qualifying nights (previously 10)<\/li>\n
- Platinum status<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>15 qualifying nights (previously 20)<\/li>\n
- Diamond status<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>35 qualifying nights (previously 40)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This means that Gold, Platinum, and Diamond elite statuses see a 50%, 25%, and 12.5% reduction in the nights needed to earn each status, respectively. This is great news for casual travelers though the benefits received as a Gold member are quite modest.<\/p>\n
Earn Status Faster with Choice Privileges Credit Cards<\/span><\/h3>\n
There are two even easier and faster ways to earn Choice Privileges elite status. Travelers that hold one of Choice Hotels' two co-branded travel rewards credit cards<\/a> receive elite status as a cardholder benefit.<\/p>\n
Additionally, both of these co-branded cards offer members bonus elite night credits each year they renew their card allowing them to jump start their journey to the next elite tier.<\/p>\n
Complimentary Gold Status and 10 Elite Night Credits with The Choice Privileges Mastercard<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Choice Privileges Mastercard is one of the few travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee to offer solid benefits. With the Choice Privileges Mastercard, cardholders receive instant Gold status and start each year with 10 elite night credits. Starting off the year with 10 elite night credits means members will need to complete just 5 qualifying nights to receive Platinum status.<\/p>\n
The card also comes with a solid new cardholder welcome bonus:<\/p>\n
\n\n\nChoice Privileges\u00ae<\/sup> Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>\n![\"Choice](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
<\/div>\n How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\nOn Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - enough to redeem for up to 5 reward nights at select Choice Hotels\u00ae<\/sup> properties. Additional fees may apply.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Choice Privileges\u00ae<\/sup> Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\nWelcome Bonus<\/strong>\r\nEarn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - enough to redeem for up to 5 reward nights at select Choice Hotels\u00ae<\/sup> properties. Additional fees may apply.<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$0<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>Earn 5x points on Choice Hotels stays, 3x at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and on phone plan services, plus 1x on other purchases. Enjoy 10 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying for at least Gold level status, $800 cell phone protection (with a $25 deductible), no foreign transaction fees, and a $0 annual fee\u2014perfect for Choice Hotels enthusiasts.<\/div>- \r\n
- 5x points on stays at participating Choice Hotels\u00ae<\/sup> properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases<\/li>\r\n
- 3x points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and on phone plan services<\/li>\r\n
- 1x points on other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
- Platinum status<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>15 qualifying nights (previously 20)<\/li>\n
- Gold status<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>5 qualifying nights (previously 10)<\/li>\n
- Lasting Recognition: Drop only one elite tier in a calendar year<\/a><\/li>
- Rollover Nights are No Longer<\/a><\/li>
- Milestone Rewards Replaces “Your Extras”<\/a>
- Earn Status Faster with Choice Privileges Credit Cards<\/a><\/li>
- Lower Elite Status Requirements with Choice Privileges<\/a>
![\"Choice](\"http:\/\/merchant.linksynergy.com\/fs\/banners\/40602\/40602_45.png\")
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