In August 2022, Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Hotels Americas. And at the end of January, it became possible to transfer points between the programs at a ratio of 2 Radisson Rewards Americas points for every 1 Choice Privileges point.
When I spoke with three Choice Hotels leaders at the Choice Hotels Convention earlier this year, they weren’t yet ready to discuss the details or timeline of the upcoming integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges. But now we have a date for this to begin: July 18. And we also know the integration should finish before the end of summer.
Radisson Rewards Americas members started receiving emails Wednesday about the integration with Choice Privileges. So, here’s what you need to know about the integration — including at least one new perk for Choice Privileges members.
Information for Radisson Rewards Americas members
Starting July 18, Radisson Rewards Americas members will no longer be able to earn, redeem or transfer Radisson Rewards Americas points. Instead, they will need a Choice Privileges account for activity from July 18 onward. So, if you are a Radisson Rewards Americas member without a Choice Privileges account, you should join Choice Privileges before July 18.
Having a Choice Privileges account will let Choice transition your Radisson Rewards Americas account seamlessly in the weeks following July 18. Radisson Rewards Americas members with a Choice Privileges account will automatically have their elite status matched and elite night credits moved to the Choice Privileges program. A Choice Hotels spokesperson told TPG that “status will be calculated based on elite night stays using the current elite qualifying criteria of Choice Privileges.”
Likewise, your points balance as of July 18, 2023, will transfer at a ratio of 2 Radisson Rewards Americas points to 1 Choice Privileges point.
Points-eligible stays at legacy Radisson Hotels Americas properties you complete before July 18 will earn Radisson Rewards Americas points. Likewise, award nights already booked with Radisson Rewards Americas points will be honored (without the need to reconfirm) even for check-in on or after July 18.
Finally, while you can currently transfer points between Radisson Rewards Americas and the global Radisson Rewards program (which is how to book international Radisson properties using points), this functionality will no longer be available starting July 18. So, if you want to transfer rewards to or from the global Radisson Rewards program, you’ll want to do so before July 18.
Related: How to earn points with the Choice Privileges Eat & Earn dining rewards program
New benefits for Choice Privileges members
When I spoke with program leaders at the Choice convention earlier this year, one part of our conversation was particularly memorable: the desire to “do no harm” to members of both programs during the integration. So, I expected new perks for Choice Privileges elite members would likely come with the integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges.
And now we know that Choice Privileges members with Diamond status will enjoy complimentary breakfast for two at Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Red and Park Plaza hotels once the integration is complete (not on July 18). This is a nice boost from the complimentary breakfast for one that Platinum members in the Radisson Rewards Americas program currently enjoy.
Otherwise, it seems the Choice Privileges member benefits will stay the same. However, Choice notes that Gold, Platinum and Diamond members will get 250 points per stay as a welcome gift. And Choice says it will continue its Choice Sweet Spot Rewards promotion, which offers discounted reward nights at featured hotels.
Finally, we asked a Choice Hotels spokesperson about booking legacy Radisson Rewards Americas hotels with Choice points, and they told us the following:
Radisson Hotels Americas properties will be bookable with Choice Privileges points once integration is complete. We have not yet released the Choice Privileges point pricing for Radisson Hotels Americas properties.
So, we won’t know until later this summer how much award nights at these hotels will cost.
Related: Redeem Choice points for a Maldives resort, half-board hotels, suites and more
Bottom line
I’m excited that the integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges will start July 18 and finish by the end of summer. As a Choice Privileges member, I’m eagerly awaiting the ability to book legacy Radisson Rewards Americas properties by redeeming Choice points.
I’m also excited to see Choice Privileges Diamond status include breakfast for two at select legacy Radisson Rewards Americas brands. Sure, I would have liked to see some full-service Choice Privileges brands included in this elite perk. However, adding this perk for legacy Radisson Rewards Americas brands is fair, since this respects the perks Radisson Rewards Americas Platinum members currently enjoy.
