Planning ahead for your Choice Privileges points

Under Choice Hotels International's policy, points have no value after death. Every strategy for preserving Choice Privileges points depends on steps taken while the account holder is alive.

How to protect your Choice Privileges points

6 lifetime planning steps for your Choice Privileges points:

Family sharing

Choice Privileges has no points pooling and, as of September 16, 2026, no member-to-member transfer of an existing balance. Three lifetime mechanisms do exist under the Rules effective January 1, 2026. First, Reward Nights can be used by family: "A Member may redeem a Reward Night for immediate family members (spouse, partner, children, parents, in-laws, brothers, and sisters) only. Immediate family members can use the Reward Night even if the Member is not occupying the room" — the member redeems their own points and names the guest on the reservation. Second, points can be GIFTED by purchase: a member may buy points into another member's account, subject to a cap of 180,000 purchased or gifted points received per calendar year, and "both your account and the recipient's account must be open and in good standing with the Program at the time of purchase." Note this buys new points; it does not move an existing balance. Third, points can be exchanged into airline and other loyalty programs through the Choice Privileges Rewards Exchange (powered by Points.com), with a 5,000-point minimum per exchange and a cap of 1 million points exchanged per calendar year. Value can also move INTO a Choice account from outside it: Choice's support FAQ lists "Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to your Choice Privileges account" among the ways to earn points with partners, so an Amex cardholder can build a Choice balance without staying — which matters for planning, not for inheritance, since once the points are in the Choice account they are subject to the same non-transfer rule. A true points sharing feature remains announced and unlaunched: Choice's support FAQ answers "What is Points Sharing and when does it launch?" with "Later in 2026, you'll be able to share your points with other Choice Privileges members," and the Choice Privileges landing page carries "Points sharing — Coming Soon: Share your Choice Privileges points with family and friends, making it easier to plan group travel or gift rewards." It does not appear in the Rules effective January 1, 2026 and had not launched as of September 16, 2026; Choice has disclosed no limits, no fees, and no launch date.

Frequently asked questions