Explore Choice Hotels Membership Levels and Their Perks
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As with other hotel loyalty programs, Choice Privileges has different membership levels, and you get better benefits as you move up from the basic Member tier to Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and the new Titanium level. Your tier depends on how many nights you stay (or how many credits you earn) each year. Each level gives you more rewards, from bonus points to upgrades and special perks.
This is how Choice Privileges rewards people who stay often and spend a lot. You can earn elite status by staying a certain number of nights at certain hotels or by earning enough base points (EQC) from hotel stays and using your Choice Privileges Mastercard, if you are in the US. The thing is, not all stays or booking methods count.
We’ll explain the different levels, who can join, how to qualify, what benefits are worth it, and how to avoid common issues. Ever wonder if all your stays count or if it’s worth going for Platinum or Diamond?
What You Need to Know: The Important Stuff
Before we get started, let’s define some key terms in the Choice Privileges program. These are important for getting elite status.
Elite Qualifying Night (EQN) is a night from a stay paid with money that goes toward your status for the year. Needs to be points-eligible nights at hotels that are part of the program, which you can find at.
Elite Qualifying Credit (EQC) is a credit you earn toward status. They are equal to the base points (10 per $1) you get from paid stays or spending using your Choice Privileges Mastercard. Bonus points from deals don’t count.
Milestone Qualifying Night (MQN) is a nights go toward milestone rewards (bonus points or gift cards). This includes nights paid with money, reward nights, and certain company or friends/family rates.
Points-Eligible Stay is a stay that was booked via Choice’s website, app, phone, or directly at the hotel with an eligible rate. Stays booked through third-party sites like Expedia or on rates that are not eligible won’t get you points or nights.
Reward Night is a free night you get using Choice points. These count toward your Elite Qualifying Night total but you won’t get extra points or credits.
Return & Earn Bonus: A program that gives members 1,000 bonus points after they complete their 2nd and 3rd stays each year.
Soft Landing: Starting in 2027, if you don’t reach the requirements to keep your current level, you’ll only drop one level per year instead of going all the way back to the basic level.
How to Get Choice Hotels Membership Levels
Let’s be real. Getting elite status is a simple thing, not impossible. Here’s what you need to do, and what to look out for.
| Tier | Nights Needed (EQN) | OR Credits Needed (EQC) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 5 | 10,000 |
| Platinum | 15 | 30,000 |
| Diamond | 35 | 70,000 |
| Titanium | 55 | 110,000 |
As mentioned before, there is a must to requalify each year. If you don’t, you’ll drop one tier per year instead of instantly going back to base. If you don’t have any elite nights and drop to Member, your points expire 18 months from when you lose status (investor.choicehotels.com).
The Best Ways to Get Status
There are ways to reach Choice Privileges elite status, and each has its own problems.
1. Nights or Credits
When you stay at Everhome Suites, MainStay Suites, and Suburban Studios, you can get Elite Qualifying Nights (EQNs) and Elite Qualifying Credits (EQCs). The number you get depends on how long you stay. Just so you know, WoodSpring Suites doesn’t offer EQNs or EQCs.
- Stays of six (6) nights or less: You get one (1) EQN for each night you stay.
- Stays of seven (7) nights or more: You get one (1) EQN for every two (2) nights you stay.
Keep in mind that you can only earn up to 15 EQNs per stay. After 30 nights, you won’t get any more EQNs.
You earn EQCs at the same rate you earn points.
- Points-Eligible stays of six (6) nights or less: You’ll get 10 EQCs for every dollar you spend.
- Points-Eligible stays of seven (7) nights or more: You’ll get 5 EQCs for every dollar you spend.
Like EQNs, EQC earning is capped at thirty nights. You do not get EQC for nights thirty-one and later.
For MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, and Everhome hotels, stays of 7+ nights only get 1 EQN per 2 nights, up to 15 EQNs per stay. To get the most night credits, split up long stays into stays of 6 nights or less by booking additional nights after checking in on the website or app.
2. Credit Card
If you have a Choice Privileges Mastercard in the U.S., you can earn more quickly. Each point you earn on the card counts as an EQC, and some credit cards give you bonus nights as a perk. That’s great if you spend a lot on things other than hotels or don’t travel much.
3. Status Match
Choice lets new members match their status from another hotel program up to Platinum with proof. It’s a way for frequent travelers to change programs quickly. Check the Choice Privileges site for more information.
4. Military Upgrade
U.S. active-duty and retired military members get an automatic Gold status upgrade if they show a valid ID, which was announced in Nov. 2025.
Choice Hotels Membership Levels Benefits
The perks get better as you move up the Choice hotels membership levels, but some benefits are not so good or aren’t always available at every hotel.
Member (Basic)
Every member gets member rates which are typically 2–7% off the Best Available Rate when booking directly (www.choicehotels.com). It’s a simple, easy saving on almost every stay that works.
Gold
Gold is the entry-level elite status, but it still brings some meaningful upgrades:
- 10% bonus points on paid stays: This means you’ll earn 11 points per $1 instead of 10—a modest but automatic boost.
- Early check-in/late checkout (upon request): You can ask for early access to your room (up to 2 hours early) or a late checkout (until 2pm in the U.S.), but it’s always subject to availability.
- Elite welcome gift: At many brands, you’ll get a small bonus (points or snacks) at check-in—nice, but not a game-changer.
- Reserved parking (where available): Some hotels set aside close-in parking for elites, but this is hit-or-miss and not at all brands.
- Points never expire: As long as you hold Gold or higher, your points don’t expire. Drop below, and you have 18 months before they’re gone.
At just 5 nights or 10,000 EQCs, Gold gets you a 10% bonus on base points earned for paid stays, early check-in/late checkout if available, a welcome gift at certain hotels, and reserved parking at those hotels. The best part is the bonus points and the chance to check in or out easier, which can be helpful on busy days.
Platinum
Platinum builds on Gold with a few key enhancements:
- 25% bonus points on paid stays: Now you’re earning 12.5 points per $1.
- Priority for upgrades: While upgrades are never guaranteed, Platinum members are more likely to be considered for complimentary room improvements at check-in (especially at Cambria and Ascend brands).
- All Gold perks included.
At 15 nights or 30,000 EQCs, Platinum increases the bonus to 25% and makes it easier to get upgrades and recognition when you check in. The difference between Gold and Platinum might not be huge, but if you travel enough to reach Platinum, you’ll probably get more regular perks, such as better room upgrades and welcome gifts.
Diamond
Diamond is where the perks start to feel more “elite”:
- 50% bonus points on paid stays: That’s 15 points per $1.
- Guaranteed room availability: Up to 48 hours before arrival at select brands, you can invoke a guarantee for a standard room—even if the hotel is nearly full (Choice Privileges Program Rules and Regulations). Not available during major events or on reward nights.
- Complimentary breakfast (Radisson brands in the Americas): For you and one guest, at participating Radisson family hotels.
- All Platinum perks included.
Diamond (35 nights or 70,000 EQCs) is where you really see the perks: 50% bonus points, higher chance of upgrades, guaranteed room availability with some limitations, and free breakfast for you and a guest at certain Radisson hotels in the Americas (investor.choicehotels.com). For frequent travelers, the free breakfast and room guarantee can save you a lot each year.
Titanium
The new top tier, Titanium, is designed for Choice’s most loyal (or highest-spending) guests.
All Diamond perks, plus:
- Titanium Travel Award: Once per year, book up to 7 consecutive reward nights at select brands for 50% of the normal points cost. For heavy points users, this can be a huge value—but only if you plan ahead (Choice Privileges Program Rules and Regulations).
- Highest upgrade and priority treatment: In practice, this means you’re first in line for upgrades and late checkout, but as always, it’s at the property’s discretion.
This is the top level which requires 55 nights or 110,000 EQCs. It offers all the Diamond perks plus the Titanium Travel Award. You get to book a room for up to 7 nights at 400+ premium hotels for 50% off the usual points cost (investor.choicehotels.com). If you like points, this is amazing as a single use, that alone can be thousands of points in value.
| Benefits | Member | Gold | Platinum | Diamond | Titanium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to reduced room rates | + | + | + | + | + |
| Discounts at select theme parks | + | + | + | + | + |
| Additional benefits for weekday stays | + | + | + | + | + |
| Earn up to 10 points per $1 USD spent on guest rooms at over 7,000 Choice Hotels locations worldwide. | + | + | + | + | + |
| Add points bonuses | – | 10% points bonus per stay | 25% points bonus per stay | 50% more points per stay | 50% more points per stay |
| Priority check-in/out | – | + | + | + | + |
| Complimentary reserved parking | – | + | + | + | + |
| Welcome gift | – | + | + | + | + |
| Room Upgrades | – | + | + | + | + |
| Qualifying nights for qualification and requalification | Qualifying activity every 18 months (to maintain the balance of points) | 5 nights at affiliated properties annually | 15 nights in a calendar year (with the option to roll over up to 19 extra qualifying nights) | 35 nights in a calendar year (with the option to roll over up to 39 extra qualifying nights) | 55 nights or 110,000 Elite Qualifying Credits |
| Avis Preferred Plus status | – | – | + | – | |
| Free breakfast for two at select Radisson Hotels properties | – | – | – | + | + |
| Guaranteed Room Availability | + | + | |||
| Titanium Travel Award | + |
Table of dependence of stay benefits on the levels of membership in the Choice Privilege program
Hotel Differences
Not every perk is at every hotel. For example, WoodSpring Suites doesn’t participate, and some perks, like free breakfast, are only at some Radisson hotels. Upgrades and welcome gifts are more likely at hotels like Cambria, Ascend, and Radisson, and reserved parking might not be available if the hotel doesn’t control the parking lot. Always look for the latest list of hotels and specific benefit details before booking.
| Brand/Benefit | Member Rate | Points Bonus | Upgrades | Breakfast | Titanium Award | Parking | Early/ Late Check-in | Welcome Gift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comfort/Quality | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MainStay/Suburban | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ascend Collection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Radisson (Americas) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Diamond/ Titanium) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| WoodSpring | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Note: Parking, early/late check-in, and welcome gifts are subject to availability and may vary by property. Always confirm at booking or check-in. For full details, see Choice Privileges Program Rules and Regulations.
Strategic Advice: How to Maximize Value
The way that will work best depends on how you travel, but these tips can help everyone:
- Do not forget to book directly with the hotel. Booking through other sites like Expedia or Priceline means you won’t get any points or elite nights, no matter what your status.
- Check your account often. If you’re close to reaching another level, think about booking a close and cheap stay to reach that level before the year ends.
- If you live in the U.S., the Choice Privileges Mastercard is great for earning EQCs just by spending money. Remember the annual fee and only spend what you can pay each month.
- If you stay at MainStay, Suburban, and Everhome, split stays of 7+ nights into booking separate stays of 6 nights or less to get the most EQNs.
- If you have status with another hotel company, use the one-time match to Platinum from Choice which requires proof of status.
- Plan to get the needed amount of nights (5, 15, 35 nights, etc.) before December 31 to earn rewards. Status resets on January 1 make sure you do not miss out.
Is It Worth It?
If you stay at hotel brands 2-3 times in a year, go for Gold. The small discounts are a free for all.
If members travel and stay often, Platinum & Diamond can give value with many upgrades, bonus perks, and even free breakfast, can add value over-time. Titanium is only worth it for point enthusiasts as they can use the Travel Awards with ease.
When it is not worth it?
If you are in a hotel chain that is rarely stayed or has a no go on points, you could get the same amount or not, but instead it is not worth the time. Like wise, a lot of travel can be concentrated with participating brands and you can’t keep track of the rules, which would give the less value.
FAQ
Can you mix and match with friends and family?
What happens to the loss of my points of I lost my status?
Bottom Line
Choice Hotels membership levels work great for travelers who get how the rules work and plan well. Book stays directly, don’t book excluded stays, make sure to see if the credits and nights add up, and don’t mess with the excluded. Most members feel that the discounts is worth the stay, and high discounts can make any guests welcome the value. To always make sure you are informed and strategic you will get the full benefits, while loving what Choice Privileges have to provide.
