Choice Privileges Select Mastercard review: Best for those who cherish Choice Hotels
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 10:04 p.m. UTC Jan. 22, 2024
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A chance for Choice Hotels lovers to chalk up ample rewards.
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® * The information for the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. basics
- Annual fee: $95.
- Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Rewards: 10 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
- APR: 20.99%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A fee of 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies.
- Other perks and benefits: Cellphone protection, no foreign currency conversion fee, 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary, automatic Platinum Elite status, TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee credit every four years.
About the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is the ideal credit card for frequent travelers who enjoy staying at Choice Properties hotels. With the $95 annual fee, this card offers an enticing welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. Furthermore, cardholders can earn 10 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Apart from its remarkable rewards program, this credit card also offers valuable perks like cellphone protection, no foreign currency conversion fees and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee reimbursement. However, its APR may not be ideal for those who carry a balance month-to-month: 20.99%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A fee of 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies.
Pros
- Large annual bonus: You earn 30,000 bonus points on every account anniversary, which is enough to redeem for at least one reward night at any eligible Choice Hotels property.
- Strong travel benefits: Cardholders can get free Global Entry for TSA PreCheck enrollment thanks to a statement credit of up to $100 every four years. There are also no foreign currency conversion fees on purchases originating abroad with this card.
Cons
- Limited hotel benefits: Cardholders can only earn extra travel rewards if they book Choice Hotel properties, so they have to commit to loyalty and need to travel a lot to make the most of this card’s annual fee.
- No soft credit check: There is no option for preapproval with this card.
- No points on dining: Dining out is often a necessity while traveling, but this card doesn’t offer extra rewards on restaurant spending.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard rewards
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard rewards structure allows cardholders to earn up to 10 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Additionally, new cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Choice points can be redeemed for reward nights at Choice properties, combined with cash to redeem towards nights at a Choice property, used for free nights at an eligible casino, transferred to one of Choice’s loyalty airline partners or Radisson Rewards Americas, used to book cruises, buy gift cards or donated to charity.
| SPENDING CATEGORY | SPENDING AMOUNT | POINTS PER DOLLAR | POINTS EARNED |
|---|---|---|---|
Gas
| $2,228
| 5 points
| 11,140 points
|
Groceries
| $3,459
| 5 points
| 17,295 points
|
Other
| $19,400
| 1 point
| 19,400 points
|
TOTAL
| $25,087
| 47,835 points
|
Choice points are valued at 0.08 cents per point, which means the example cardholder above would earn $382.68 worth of points in a year.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard APR
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard has a 20.99%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A fee of 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies. There’s no low intro APR offer on either purchases or balance transfers.
How the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard compares to other hotel cards
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs. Choice Privileges® Mastercard® * The information for the Choice Privileges® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you aren’t ready to pay an annual fee for a credit card, you can opt for the $0-annual-fee Choice Privileges Mastercard. Despite being free to use, this card still comes with a lucrative welcome bonus — 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening — and a strong rewards offering. Cardholders earn 5 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 3 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs. Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card * The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card * The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. comes with an annual fee of $95 – the same as the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard – but this cost is easily offset by its high rewards potential. However, it is important to note that the rewards are only applicable to specific purchases. Business travelers who drive a lot and stay often at Wyndham properties will benefit greatly from this card.
They earn 8 points per $1 spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases, 5 points per $1 on marketing, advertising and utility purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn even more rewards with a welcome bonus of 45,000 points, enough for up to six free nights at participating properties, after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard vs. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card * The information for the The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business card (terms apply) is a solid card option for those looking to earn significant rewards while traveling. While the card does come with a $195 annual fee, this investment can be well worth it for the benefits that come with it. One of the most exciting perks of this card is the 12 Hilton Honors points per $1 on eligible purchases at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 5 points per $1 on the first $100,000 in other purchases made with the card each calendar year, then 3 points per $1 thereafter.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card * The information for the The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. cardholders also get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, which offers a variety of additional perks beyond just earning points. This status offers bonus points, upgrades, free breakfast and a fifth night free on award bookings, among other benefits.
All information about The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.
Should you get the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard?
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is a compelling offer for Choice loyalists. The welcome bonus bonus alone is a great reason to choose the card. And, the 30,000 points earned each account anniversary and high hotel-earn rates should provide enough value to justify keeping the card long-term. The $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years is also a nice plus.
The card presents an attractive option for frequent travelers who often stay at participating Choice hotels and want to earn a substantial amount of rewards for their everyday purchases.
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard summary
| CHOICE PRIVILEGES SELECT MASTERCARD SUMMARY | |
|---|---|
Annual fee
| $95
|
Rewards
| 10 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases
|
APR
| 20.99%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A fee of 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies
|
Foreign currency conversion fee
| None
|
Major perks
| Cellphone protection, Platinum Elite status, 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary
|
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard does not offer a 0% introductory APR for balance transfers. While this credit card does have a number of benefits, it does not provide cardholders with an interest-free period for transferring balances from other credit cards. As a result, individuals looking to consolidate their debt and save money on interest charges may want to explore other options that offer more competitive introductory rates.
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard offers a solid welcome bonus to its new cardholders: 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. These points are enough to redeem for several reward nights at Choice Hotels properties.
Based on the card’s welcome bonus, rewards system and additional perks, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard can be worth the $95 annual fee for travelers who frequently stay at Choice hotels. Not only does the card offer a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening, but it also earns 10 points per $1 on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Furthermore, the card has additional perks like cellphone protection, no foreign currency conversion fees and 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary — making it a top choice for those seeking benefits and rewards for their travel expenses.
*The information for the Choice Privileges® Mastercard®, Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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