The Choice Privileges Card: A No-Fee Way to Score Up to 7 Hotel Nights

If you're looking for a straightforward hotel credit card without the yearly fee, the Choice Privileges Mastercard deserves a spot on your radar. It's not the flashiest card out there, but for folks who find themselves at Comfort Inns, Quality Inns, or Cambria Hotels, the value can be surprisingly solid. Right now, the welcome offer is particularly attractive, offering a nice stash of points for a relatively low spending requirement. Let's break down what this card brings to the table and whether it's the right fit for your wallet.

What Makes the Welcome Bonus Worth a Look

The headline here is the 60,000-point bonus. That's a decent chunk of change for a card with no annual fee. The bank suggests it's enough for up to seven reward nights at select properties. Now, it's crucial to manage expectations here. Those 'up to 7 nights' are at the lowest-tier hotels, which can start around 8,000 points per night. For more premium stays within the Choice family, like some Cambria hotels, you might be looking at 20,000 to 55,000 points per night. So, realistically, you're likely getting 2-4 very nice free nights, or a longer stay at a budget-friendly spot. Still, for just $1,000 in spending over three months, that's excellent value.

Beyond the Bonus: Earning Points Day-to-Day

The ongoing rewards structure is where this card shows its true colors for loyal Choice guests. Earning 5X points on your hotel stays booked directly is a great multiplier. The 3X categories are practical too—gas, groceries, home improvement, and your phone bill cover a lot of common spending. If these are your primary spending areas, the card can accumulate points for future trips fairly quickly. Just remember, it's 1X on all other purchases, so you'll probably want to pair this with a general travel or cash-back card for everything else.

The Perks That Aren't Just About Points

Some of the most useful benefits don't involve points at all. The automatic Gold Elite status is a nice touch, giving you perks like late checkout and a 10% points bonus on stays. The card also grants you 10 Elite Qualifying Nights each year, which helps you maintain that status or climb to the next tier.

A standout feature for many will be the cell phone protection. If you pay your monthly bill with the card, you're covered for up to $800 in damage or theft (with a $25 deductible per claim). That alone can save you from buying expensive insurance or a new phone out of pocket. The lack of a foreign transaction fee is also a welcome plus for any international travel.

A Few Important Caveats Before You Apply

No card is perfect, and it's wise to go in with your eyes open. First, check your eligibility. You won't get the bonus if you've had a Choice Privileges or Choice Privileges Select card in the last 15 months, even if it's closed. You also can't have an open account for either of those cards when you apply.

Also, pay close attention to how you book to earn the 5X points. It typically requires booking directly through Choice's website, app, or phone line. Bookings through third-party sites like Expedia won't qualify for the bonus rate. Finally, while the points are valuable for hotel stays, they aren't as flexible as transferable points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards. They're best used by someone who plans to stay at Choice hotels.

Bottom Line

• A strong no-annual-fee option for frequent guests of Choice Hotels brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and Cambria.
• The 60k bonus offers great value for minimal spend, ideal for funding a few weekend getaways.
• Practical 3X categories and valuable perks like cell phone protection add to its everyday usefulness.
• Best suited for those who will use the points for hotel stays, as they aren't transferable to airlines.

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