Citi just added Choice Hotels as a transfer partner, making it easy to book award stays at brands like Comfort Inn and Clarion using ThankYou points
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- Citi has added Choice Privileges - the loyalty program of Choice Hotels - as a transfer partner.
- You can transfer ThankYou points to Choice at a 1:2 or 1:1.5 ratio, depending on the card you have.
- Choice brands include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Cambria, and Ascend Collection hotels.
- Read Insider's guide to the best hotel credit cards.
If you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Rewards, you now have another option for using your points. Effective immediately, Citi has added Choice Privileges - the loyalty program of Choice Hotels - as a transfer partner.
This marks the first Citi ThankYou hotel partner since Hilton Honors left the program in late 2017. Citi points transfers to Choice Hotels are an option if you have any card that earns Citi ThankYou points, like the
Choice might not be the first chain that comes to mind when you think of booking free stays with travel rewards points, but its hotels are familiar favorites for many travelers. The Choice Privileges program includes affordable brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and Clarion, and even offers more upscale options through its Ascend Collection and all-inclusive properties.
Here's what to know about Citi's newest transfer partner, Choice Privileges.
Citi adds Choice Privileges as a transfer partner
Starting immediately, Citi ThankYou Rewards members can transfer points to Choice Privileges at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:1.5, depending on the card they have.
Read more: The best Citi credit cards of 2021
Annual-fee cards like the
Additionally, if you have the
Read more: How to earn, redeem, and maximize Citi ThankYou points
The addition of Choice Privileges as a Citi transfer partner is good news for Choice fans, especially since it's not easy to earn Choice points directly with credit cards. The only co-branded option is the
However, Choice is also an American Express Membership Rewards transfer partner (1:1 ratio) and will soon join as a Capital One partner (1:1 ratio). Because you'll often get much more value by transferring Amex and Capital One rewards to other partners, Choice transfers aren't the most ideal option. But Citi transfers are at a much better ratio, so it's possible to get more value from your points when you redeem this way.
How to use Choice Hotels points
Choice Hotels tend to be more budget-friendly with not many aspirational properties, but that doesn't mean there's not good value to be had with Choice points. You can find Choice hotels just about anywhere you go, and they're particularly ideal for road trips or visits to smaller towns where you might not find big-chain hotels.
Read more: I haven't paid for a hotel room in 10 years - here's how I stay for free
Award prices start at 6,000 points per night and go up to 35,000 points per night, with a few exceptions. Rates can also vary depending on the time of year and even the day of the week you stay.
You can also redeem Choice points for all-inclusive hotel stays in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America through a partnership with AMResorts. These properties typically cost more points per night than Choice's own brands, but if you're looking for a tropical getaway it's another option to consider.
Read more: How to book an all-inclusive vacation with credit card rewards
One limitation of the Choice Privileges program is the relatively short window it allows for booking award stays. While most other programs let you book a year or more in advance, Choice only allows you to redeem points within 100 days of your stay.
Keep in mind you can also redeem Citi ThankYou points directly through the Citi Travel Portal for hotel stays, including at Choice brands. Your points are worth 1 cent apiece through the Citi portal regardless of which card you have, so for inexpensive stays, it may make more sense to book using this method.