Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards Americas Are Merging

Nearly a year after completing the acquisition, Choice Hotels and Radisson Hotels Americas are officially combining their loyalty programs.

Starting on July 18, 2023, Radisson Rewards Americas members will see their points roll over to the Choice Privileges program. As part of the switchover, Radisson elite status and elite credits will transfer to Choice Privileges as well.

This shift has been anticipated for many months. Choice Hotels completed its acquisition of the Radisson Americas hotel portfolio in August 2022. For the past couple of years, Radisson has also been operating its Americas region loyalty program separately from its other international properties in Europe and beyond.

Here’s what to know about the changes.

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Choice Privileges absorbs Radisson Rewards Americas

Any points Radisson Rewards Americas members have in their accounts will automatically be transferred to their Choice Privileges account on July 18. So, if you’re a loyal Radisson member and don’t have a Choice Privileges account, create one as soon as possible.

Choice is also running a few promotions to incentivize Radisson Rewards members to make the switch. You can earn an additional 5,000 Choice Privileges points on your first Choice Privileges points-eligible stay from June 26 to Sept. 30, 2023. If you join Choice Privileges by July 17 to transition your Radisson Rewards Americas account, you’ll earn 500 Choice Privileges bonus points. Plus, earn an additional 5,000 Choice Privileges points on your first Choice Privileges points-eligible stay from June 26 to Sept. 30, 2023.

» Learn more: Your guide to hotel bonus point promotions

Don’t be surprised if you end up with fewer Choice points than you had with Radisson. The transfer won’t be an exact 1:1 ratio. Two Radisson Rewards Americas points will translate to one Choice Privileges point.

It’s worth noting, though, that Radisson members generally earned points faster than Choice members. Previously, non-elite Radisson members earned 20 points per dollar spent on hotel stays. Meanwhile, Choice Privileges entry-level members earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays.

Choice Privileges usually require fewer points to book an award night, too. Radisson Rewards Americas free night redemptions typically started at a minimum 15,000 points, but Choice Privileges members can get a night for as few as 6,000 points (though more often, it’s 8,000 points or more).

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

What happens to my Radisson reservations?

If you have an existing Radisson Hotels Americas stay booked — including one with points — don’t fret. Existing reservations will remain unchanged. If you booked a paid stay that occurs after July 18, 2023, you’ll now earn Choice points. If you booked an Award Night with Radisson points, your reservation will still be honored.

Which hotels does this affect?

Choice Hotels’ portfolio features thousands of properties in the U.S. and beyond. Choice brands include Comfort, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Quality Inn, Cambria Hotels and other properties.

Radisson Hotels Americas, meanwhile, has a portfolio that includes the Radisson brand, as well as Country Inn and Suites among others.

Can Radisson elite members keep their status with Choice?

Along with points, Radisson Rewards Americas elite status members will see their status roll over to the corresponding level with Choice Privileges. If you’re an elite status member in both programs, you’ll keep whichever status tier is higher.

Additionally, the company will combine your elite status credits, and if that earns you elite status, you’ll qualify. That means if you had 7 nights at Choice Hotels and 4 nights at Radisson properties, you’d have 11 nights — enough to reach Gold status in the Choice Privileges program.

Read more: Is the Choice Privileges Card worth its annual fee?

Choice Radisson merge recapped

Nearly a year after Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Hotels Americas in a $675 million deal, the two companies’ hotel loyalty programs will now merge into the existing Choice Privileges program.

While Radisson Rewards Americas will end, members will see their reservations, points and elite status transfer. And, members who have dabbled with a handful of nights in both programs should benefit by seeing their elite nights combined, which should help those hoping to earn elite status for 2024. On the other hand, this change does mean the end of a program that scored highly among NerdWallet’s best hotel loyalty programs.