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Alex
Alex (@guest_226228)
February 16, 2016 16:54

I believe Chioce Points can be generated at 0.6c/pt. I wouldn’t waste a pull for sub-$200 bonus.

Lisa
Lisa (@guest_227633)
February 22, 2016 09:15

How? Could you explain, please? Thank you, Lisa

onwards
onwards (@guest_226175)
February 16, 2016 13:19

the Nordic Choice chain of hotels are amazing, The Clarion hotels are the crown jewels in a very minimalist Scandinavian way of course…

Everybody Hates A Tourist
Everybody Hates A Tourist (@guest_226155)
February 16, 2016 11:38

The removal of the Scandinavian hotels with no warning was a massive devaluation. I had been looking forward to some nice stays there this summer.

Giri
Giri (@guest_226057)
February 16, 2016 00:15

I just got this card to supplement the points I need toward the SW Companion Pass.

zack
zack (@guest_228199)
February 24, 2016 02:39

Great idea! What’s the transfer rate choice to SW at currently?

Brant
Brant (@guest_226005)
February 15, 2016 21:41

I diligently collected over 155,000 Choice Privileges points last year with just one stay using the credit card and purchasing points during the US Travel Association sales. I will use them next month for a trip to Italy for 3 weeks.

All that being said, the Choice Hotels website is just a disaster. If you make a reservation, you might not receive an email confirmation and if you try to send one to yourself from the website, you will quickly realize that there is no such function available. If you call customer service be prepared to speak with Hadji for at least 30 minutes only to be shifted to another department and have your phone call disconnected while you are on hold. The customer service center in Arizona is no better. While they speak plain English, they couldn’t find their asses with both hands. I’ll burn my Choice Privileges points in Italy then write this loser company off as the bastard step child of Super 8 and Motel 6.

mike1
mike1 (@guest_226047)
February 15, 2016 23:31

In your opinion, do you think Holiday Inn is better if you’ve been? I am looking into this card, but don’t want to be staying at places similar to super 8 or motel 6… thanks!

Brant
Brant (@guest_226066)
February 16, 2016 01:18

Mike,

If you are planning on staying at hotels in the USA, anything in the IHG group beats anything in the Choice Hotels group. Holiday Inn is just one brand in the IHG group, but virtually all Choice Hotel brands and hotels in the USA are substandard dumps in my opinion, unless you enjoy the smell of curry in the lobby and a complimentary breakfast of stale pastries and watery coffee. I have been told that the Italian hotels will be better. I shall see.

Mike1
Mike1 (@guest_226085)
February 16, 2016 04:05

Ok. I’m definitely going to avoid all choice hotels from this point forward. I’ve only stayed at Marriott before. Haha. Thanks!

meat
meat (@guest_226125)
February 16, 2016 09:46

I disagree on a limited basis. I’ve stayed in plenty of dumpy Holiday Inns. And while true- most Chocie proeprties are not the best, the ones I’ve stayed in throughout the Midwest (Arkansas up to Wisconsin and on westward) all seem to be decent properties. Usually a free breakfast. The Choice Suites in Green Bay has a fantastic restaurant associated with. It’s not a guarantee of being better than Holiday Inn, but in some cases it’s on par. Meanwhile, most of the Choice properties on the east coast in major urban areas are not all that enjoyable. YMMV.

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_226133)
February 16, 2016 10:17

Couldn’t have said it better myself. This program is the worst managed of any I’ve ever seen, and their customer service is absolutely atrocious. I got this card last year and it took over 6 months and 8 phone calls (all over an hour each because of hold times and transfers) before I finally got the points–and only by reaching out to Barlcays on Twitter. Moreover, I stay at a couple of properties regularly for work and the points NEVER post. I have to call in every single time to argue for the stays to be credited.

Their only saving grace was that they had great redemptions in Scandinavia, but now that those are out the window I have no reason to stay loyal to this program and will be kicking them to the curb as soon as I figure out where to use my 200k points.