Devaluation softened: Stays at top Preferred Hotels & Resorts once again cost 87,000 Choice Privileges points per night --[Reported by Umva mag]

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Choice Privileges has a partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts that allows travelers to book 314 Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties online with Choice points.

In May 2024, you could redeem 25,000 to 55,000 Choice points per night for participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts stays. In June, award rates at some properties increased to as high as 87,000 Choice points per night. And then in September, award rates at some Preferred Hotels & Resorts jumped to 118,000 Choice points per night.

But after these award increases, there’s good news: Award rates at Preferred Hotels & Resorts have returned to topping out at 87,000 Choice points.

Based on TPG’s October 2024 valuations, 87,000 points are worth about $522 — which is a lot, but also seems reasonable given the properties. Here are the properties that currently require 87,000 Choice points per night through the Preferred Hotels & Resorts partnership:

• Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida (which made our best resorts in Florida list)
• Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida (which made our best hotels with saltwater lagoon pools list)
• Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada

Related: How to earn Choice Privileges points — from hotel stays to credit card rewards

Award rates for booking Preferred Hotels & Resorts with Choice Privileges points go down from here, with only five other properties pricing at 80,000 points per night or higher. Best of all, award rates for Preferred Hotels & Resorts you can book through this partnership start at 20,000 points per night for The Thief in Oslo, Norway.

Choice Privileges rates listed on the Preferred Hotels & Resorts are starting rates. But for each Preferred Hotels & Resorts property I’ve clicked through to see nightly rates, every night bookable with points has cost the starting rate.

So, although we may eventually see seasonal or dynamic award pricing for Preferred Hotels & Resorts bookable with Choice points — and perhaps testing of this is what caused rates to increase to 118,000 points per night for a while — for now, award nights top out at 87,000 points per night.

Related: How and why to register for Choice Hotels Personalized Weeknight Benefits

Bottom line

We rarely see loyalty programs walk back a devaluation, so I have to assume either a mistake or testing led to this temporary increase in award rates for booking Preferred Hotels & Resorts with Choice points. Regardless, it’s great to see the second pricing increase in just a few months for this partnership didn’t stick.

I tend to redeem Choice points for nights in Japan, often costing 8,000 to 12,000 points per night. As such, I can’t imagine redeeming 87,000 Choice points (much less 118,000 points) per night for a hotel. But, if you’re looking to redeem Choice points for a special stay or when visiting a destination that doesn’t have any Choice Hotels properties, the Preferred Hotels & Resorts partnership could be useful.

Additional reading:

• Quick Points: Unique ways to redeem Choice Privileges points
  
• Choice Privileges Experiences: Bid on special access to concerts and sporting events
• How to earn points with the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn dining rewards program
• How to choose a hotel credit card
• My top 3 picks for the best cobranded hotel credit card
• Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?

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