Choice Privileges Mastercard Review

Jul 17, 2023

Credit Cards

Jacqueline DeMarco

Robin Saks Frankel

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BLUEPRINT

Published 4:10 a.m. ET June 6, 2023

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A no-annual-fee hotel rewards card with OK-earning potential. But the Choice hotel footprint is somewhat limited.

The Choice Privileges Mastercard is a decent fit for those who frequently stay at Choice Hotels and don't want to pay an annual fee for a hotel card. This card charges $0 to own and offers a competitive rewards rate of 5 points 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; 1 point per $1 on other purchases. You can earn an additional 10 points per dollar for being a Choice Privileges member and a 10% Gold elite bonus. The APR on this card can vary for each cardholder and is either 20.74%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers. When it comes to welcome offers, this card comes with a good one. The potential to earn 60,000 points can be used for up to seven Reward nights at select Choice Hotels properties. But someone who frequently stays at Choice properties are likely to find greater benefits with the Choice Privileges Select card. More on that below.

There are a handful of options when it comes to earning rewards with the Choice Privileges Mastercard. You’ll 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; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

This card is primarily enticing for those who stay with Choice Hotels frequently — when they do so using the Choice Privileges Mastercard, they can earn up to 16 total points per dollar spent.

Additionally, there is a solid welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. That can be worth up to seven reward nights at select Choice Hotels properties.

Reviewing the above table, the example cardholder earns 36,461 points each year, which equates to $291.69 in rewards at 0.08 centers a point. For a credit card without an annual fee, this is a good rewards structure.

The Choice Privileges Mastercard has a regular APR of 20.74%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers.

The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is not a $0-annual-fee card like the Choice Privileges Mastercard, although it does have a $0 intro annual fee for the first year; then $95. Cardholders who stay at Choice Hotels properties often may find it worth paying the extra fee for the potential to earn additional points with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.

The Privileges Select card also comes with a better welcome bonus 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. Other travel benefits associated with this card also include a lack of foreign transaction fees and a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee statement credit. Additionally, Priveleges card offers 30,000 bonus points reward each card anniversary and automatic Platinum elite status, which offers more perks than then Privileges card.

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. offers substantial rewards. However, the rewards are only applicable for very specific purchases. If you find yourself frequently traveling for business and prefer staying at Wyndham properties, then this card is an excellent option for you. You can potentially earn 50,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and 25,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months, enough for up to 10 free nights. To sweeten the deal, new cardholders can enjoy an impressive welcome bonus of50,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and 25,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months, enough for up to 10 free nights. However, this card does come with a $95 annual fee, unlike the Choice Privileges Mastercard which has no annual fee.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a $95 annual fee (terms apply), unlike the Choice Privileges Mastercard which doesn't charge one. However, its benefits may be worth the cost if you like to stay at Hilton hotels. This card enables you to earn 12 Hilton Honors points per $1 on eligible purchases at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 6 points per $1 at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, U.S. purchases for shipping, U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases. The base earnings on the Hilton Business card is higher than the base earnings on other purchases made with — the Choice Privileges Mastercard.

Cardholders will enjoy added perks, including automatic Hilton Gold status, which comes with bonus points, room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and a fifth night free on award bookings.

The Choice Privileges Mastercard is a good option for travelers who prefer to stay at Choice Hotels properties. The welcome bonus alone is enough to redeem up to seven reward nights at select Choice Hotels properties. Not to mention, the 10 elite night credits offer instant Gold elite status and. Additionally, waived foreign transaction fees may appeal to international travelers who prefer to earn points while traveling without incurring additional fees.

This card offers a generous amount of rewards. However, their other rewards are lacking. This card only offers 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; 1 point per $1 on other purchases. The lack of rewards on everyday spending categories makes this card a much better fit for loyal Choice Privileges members.

Travelers can save money when they use the Choice Privileges Mastercard abroad, as it does not charge a foreign transaction fee for purchases converted to U.S. dollars.

The Choice Privileges Mastercard offers various travel benefits to its cardholders. These benefits include earning bonus points on eligible Choice Hotels stays, no foreign transaction fees and 10 elite night credits annually.

The Choice Privileges Mastercard offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. These bonus points can be redeemed for up to seven reward nights at select Choice Hotels properties, making it an attractive offer for frequent travelers looking to earn free hotel stays.

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Jacqueline DeMarco

Blueprint

During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Today, Jacqueline has worked with more than two dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn't learn in school.

Robin Saks Frankel

Blueprint

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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