UPDATE: Choice Privileges Gold & Platinum Status Match (Europe Now Included + Status Valid Until 2019)

Choice Hotels has Choice Privileges guest loyalty program that comes with three elite tier levels of Gold, Platinum and Diamond.

You probably know Choice Hotels from their budget brands such as Comfort Inn, Quality and EconoLodge among others.

You can access Choice’s website for status match here and info about status levels here.

Note that you can only do status match one time. You should do the status match on or after July 1 because otherwise the matched status only valid for the current membership year.

The main benefit of having status with Choice Privilege is the ability to book award rooms up to 100 nights before of your intended stay in case of Diamond. Other programs open award availability when paid booking window opens but that is not the case with Choice.

Choice Privileges elite members are also eligible for bonus base points and amenity.

Note that the status match is only valid for Choice Privileges members that have their account address in the United States, Canada or Europe. If you are living somewhere else, nothing prevents you borrowing an address from a friend and changing it back to where you live later.

Here’s what you need to do to get status matched:

Simply email Status_Match@choicehotels.com (United Status or Canada) or Status_Match_EU@choicehotels.com (European members) with the following information:

Full Name

Choice Privileges Member Number

Proof of Elite status in other hotel program:

Screenshot or copy of your other program’s loyalty card (with expiration date)

Or, screenshot or copy of other program’s current statement or account status page

Here’s what the Gold & Platinum (Diamond not available via match) status levels provide:

Gold

10 nights required per calendar year (reward nights count toward elite status)
10% elite point bonus
Book 50 days in advance for reward nights
Exclusive reservations and customer services phone numbers (US and Canada members only)
Exclusive Elite member offers
Choose 250 bonus points or a snack and beverage at check-in for stays at U.S. Comfort Suites^® hotels.

Platinum

20 nights required per calendar year (reward nights count toward elite status)
25% elite point bonus
Extended booking window of 75 days in advance for reward nights
Exclusive reservations and customer services phone numbers (US and Canada members only)
Exclusive Elite member offers
Elite luggage tags (US members only)
Choose 250 bonus points or a snack and beverage at check-in for stays at U.S. Comfort Suites^® hotels.

Diamond (not matched)

40 nights required per calendar year (reward nights count toward elite status)
50% elite point bonus
Extended booking window of 100 days in advance for reward nights
Exclusive reservations and customer services phone numbers (US and Canada members only)
Exclusive Elite member offers inserts (US members only)
Elite luggage tags (US members only)
Complimentary room upgrade*
Choose 250 bonus points or a snack and beverage at check-in for stays at U.S. Comfort Suites^® hotels.

Conclusion

Choice Privileges is good choice (pun intended) for those that tend to stay at smaller cities where other chains are not present or prefer staying (and paying too) at economy brands.

Choice Privileges does run good promotions almost back to back that allows members to elevate their point earnings and earn free nights faster. Having elite status helps redeeming points by allowing booking them earlier than non-status members.

The best time to do the match is at the beginning of the July because the status is then valid until the early 2019. The status match was previously only available for those in the United State or Canada. Choice has now extended it to European members as well.

Here are the terms and conditions of Choice’s status match program:

* The Elite Status Match Program offer is valid for existing Choice Privileges^® members in the United States, Canada and Europe only. Member must provide their name and Choice Privileges member number in the request and provide at least one (1) of the following: i) copy/photo of your membership card (showing expiration date) with other hotel loyalty program, or ii) copy/screenshot of your current account statement with other hotel loyalty program to Status_Match@choicehotels.com (for United States and Canadian members) or Status_Match_EU@choicehotels.com (for European members). The highest elite status that will be awarded under the Elite Status Match Program is Elite Platinum level. One Elite Status Match per member per lifetime. The Elite Status Match is valid for the current year only if status is matched anytime between January – June. The Elite Status Match is valid for the current and following year only if status is matched anytime between July – December. After that time, you must qualify for Elite level status each calendar year.

¹ For Elite members (Gold, Platinum, Diamond) with point eligible consumed stays at Comfort Suites U.S. based properties, the member is entitled to a choice of either: i) a complimentary snack and beverage provided at check-in; or ii) 250 bonus Choice Privileges points which will be deposited into the member’s account. Points may take up to four weeks to post to member’s account after stay is consumed. Members can only receive one gift per consumed stay. On a non-point eligible stay, such as a reward night, members may not receive the bonus Choice Privileges points. Choice may periodically modify, suspend or terminate this program at any time, with or without notice, including but not limited to, the benefits noted above. All Choice Privileges Rewards Program Rules and Regulations apply. All hotels are individually owned and operated.

² For all members with consumed point eligible stays at Cambria hotels & suites U.S. based properties, the member is entitled to a choice of either: i) a beverage coaster which entitles the member to a “buy one, get one free” beverage offer at the Social Circle™ bistro, the property’s restaurant/bar, during their stay; or ii) 250 bonus Choice Privileges points which will be deposited into the member’s account. Points may take up to four weeks to post to member’s account after stay is consumed. Members can only receive one gift per consumed stay. On a non-point eligible stay, such as a reward night, members may not receive the bonus Choice Privileges points. Choice may periodically modify, suspend or terminate this program at any time, with or without notice, including but not limited to, the benefits noted above. All Choice Privileges Rewards Program Rules and Regulations apply. All hotels are individually owned and operated.