Choice Privileges Transfer Partners

Last updated: February 2026

Choice Privileges isn’t the first hotel program most points-and-miles travelers think of for airline transfers, and that’s partly the point of this guide. Four major credit card programs transfer directly to Choice Privileges, but the ratios, timing, and value math vary significantly. Understanding how Choice Privileges transfer partners work—and when transferring actually makes sense versus booking hotel stays—can save thousands of points that might otherwise be wasted on a bad conversion.

This page covers every direct credit card transfer partner for Choice Privileges, the exact ratios, how long transfers take, and the specific situations where moving transferable points into Choice is (and isn’t) a smart play. It also covers Choice’s own outbound airline transfer program, Rewards Exchange, which converts hotel points to airline miles at steep ratios.

Key Takeaways

• Four credit card programs transfer directly to Choice Privileges: Amex Membership Rewards (1:1), Capital One Miles (1:1), Citi ThankYou Points (1:2), and Wells Fargo Rewards (1:2).
• Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Rove Miles do not transfer to Choice Privileges (per the ATH transfer table).
• Non-1:1 ratios matter a lot: Citi and Wells Fargo transfers mean you lose half your points in the conversion—1,000 Citi points become only 500 Choice points.
• Choice points are generally worth about 0.6 cents each when redeemed for hotel stays, so transferring premium credit card points (worth 1.5–2 cents elsewhere) often destroys value.
• Transfers are irreversible. Once points are transferred to Choice Privileges, they cannot be returned to the credit card program.

Quick Answer: Which Programs Transfer to Choice Privileges?

Four bank programs transfer points directly into Choice Privileges. Amex and Capital One transfer at 1:1 (one credit card point equals one Choice point). Citi and Wells Fargo transfer at 1:2, meaning you get one Choice point for every two bank points transferred. Chase, Bilt, and Rove do not offer direct transfers to Choice Privileges.

All Direct Choice Privileges Transfer Partners (2026 Table)

Here’s the complete list of credit card programs that transfer to Choice Privileges, with current ratios:

What the 1:2 ratio means in practice: If you hold Citi ThankYou Points or Wells Fargo Rewards and transfer to Choice, you’re giving up two of your bank points for every one Choice point received. Since Citi ThankYou Points can be worth 1.5–2+ cents each when transferred to airline partners, this conversion is almost always a poor deal. The same logic applies to Wells Fargo.

For a full comparison of where each bank program can send points, see the complete credit card transfer partners guide.

Understanding Transfer Ratios: Why 1:1 Isn’t Always Good Enough

A 1:1 transfer ratio sounds fair, but the real question is what a Choice Privilege point is worth compared to an Amex point or Capital One mile.

The value gap is significant. Choice Privileges points are generally valued at roughly 0.6 cents per point (CPP) when redeemed for hotel stays. Meanwhile:

• Amex Membership Rewards points are commonly valued at 1.5–2.0 CPP when transferred to airline partners for premium cabin awards
• Capital One Miles typically deliver 1.2–1.8 CPP through airline transfers
• Citi ThankYou Points can reach 1.5–2.0+ CPP via partners like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles

So even at a 1:1 ratio, transferring 10,000 Amex points to Choice gives you roughly $60 in hotel value—versus potentially $150–$200 in airline value through a program like ANA Mileage Club or British Airways Avios.

A Simple CPP Example

Suppose a Choice Privileges hotel night costs 15,000 points, and the same room is available for $95 cash.

Value calculation using the Award Travel Hub calculator:

$95 ÷ 15,000 points = 0.63 CPP

Now compare: those same 15,000 Amex points transferred to an airline partner could book a short-haul business class award worth $400+, yielding 2.6+ CPP. The difference is stark.

Rule of thumb: Transfer credit card points to Choice Privileges only when the hotel redemption value exceeds what you’d get from airline transfers or other hotel programs. For most travelers, that bar is hard to clear.

When Does Transferring to Choice Privileges Actually Make Sense?

Despite the math above, there are a few specific scenarios where a Choice transfer is reasonable:

1. Topping Off a Small Balance for a Free Night

If you already have 12,000 Choice points from hotel stays and need 3,000 more for a free night, transferring a small number of Amex or Capital One points to close the gap can make sense. The alternative—earning those points through another stay—costs more in time and money.

2. High-Value Redemptions at Premium Choice Properties

Choice Hotels includes brands like Cambria Hotels, the Ascend Hotel Collection, and some Radisson properties (following the 2022 Radisson Americas acquisition). Occasionally, a property prices an award night well below the cash rate, pushing the CPP above 1.0. These are uncommon but worth checking.

3. Points About to Expire

Choice Privileges points expire after 18 months of account inactivity (no earning or redeeming). If you have a meaningful balance at risk and no upcoming stays, a small transfer from a credit card program resets the expiration clock. Even a transfer of 1,000 points can preserve an entire balance.

4. Specific Destination Where Choice Is the Best (or Only) Option

In some secondary markets and smaller cities, Choice properties may be the most practical lodging option. If the cash rate is high relative to the points cost, the transfer math can work.

Best for: Travelers with existing Choice balances who need a small top-up, or those targeting a specific Choice property with strong CPP.

Not for: General-purpose point transfers, speculative stockpiling, or anyone with better airline redemption options available.

Choice Privileges Rewards Exchange: Transferring Hotel Points to Airlines

Choice Privileges also lets members convert hotel points outbound to airline miles through its Rewards Exchange program. As of 2026, Choice partners with approximately 15 airlines plus Amtrak.

Key Airline Transfer Partners (Outbound from Choice)

The standard outbound ratio is 5:1—meaning 5,000 Choice points convert to 1,000 airline miles. A few partners get slightly better treatment:

The 5:1 standard ratio is steep. For context, Marriott Bonvoy transfers to 40+ airlines at 3:1 and adds a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. IHG One Rewards also transfers at 5:1 but with faster processing times.

When Outbound Airline Transfers Are Worth Considering

The Qantas and Virgin Australia partnerships at 5:2 are the standout options. If you value Qantas miles at 1.5 cents each (a reasonable floor for domestic Australia or short-haul partner awards), then 5,000 Choice points yield 2,000 Qantas miles worth roughly $30—or 0.6 CPP on the Choice side. That’s comparable to a decent hotel redemption, so it’s essentially a wash.

The British Airways Avios transfer at 5:1 can work as a small top-up if you’re a few thousand Avios short of a booking. Through Avios, you can check partner availability on Iberia, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and more.

Common mistake: Transferring large balances from Choice to airlines at 5:1 when the points would yield better value as hotel stays. At 0.6 CPP for hotel redemptions versus roughly 0.2–0.3 CPP for most 5:1 airline transfers, hotel stays almost always win.

How to Transfer Points to Choice Privileges: Step-by-Step

The process varies slightly by credit card program, but the general steps are the same.

From Amex Membership Rewards

1. Log in to your Amex account or the Amex app
2. Go to Membership Rewards → Transfer Points
3. Select Choice Privileges from the hotel partner list
4. Enter the number of points to transfer (minimum varies)
5. Confirm the transfer

For more on Amex transfer options, see the Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners guide.

From Capital One Miles

1. Log in to Capital One and navigate to Rewards
2. Select Transfer Miles
3. Choose Choice Privileges from the partner list
4. Enter the amount and confirm

Details on all Capital One options are in the Capital One Miles transfer partners guide.

From Citi ThankYou Points

1. Log in to the Citi ThankYou portal
2. Go to Use Points → Transfer to Travel Partners
3. Select Choice Privileges
4. Enter the amount (remember: 2 Citi points = 1 Choice point)
5. Confirm

See the full Citi ThankYou transfer partners guide for all available partners.

From Wells Fargo Rewards

1. Log in to Wells Fargo Rewards
2. Navigate to Transfer Points
3. Select Choice Privileges
4. Enter the amount (2 Wells Fargo points = 1 Choice point)
5. Confirm

For the complete Wells Fargo partner list, check the Wells Fargo transfer partners guide.

Transfer Timing

Transfer times to Choice Privileges vary by program:

• Amex: Typically instant to 1–2 business days
• Capital One: Usually 1–2 business days
• Citi: Can take 1–2 business days
• Wells Fargo: May take several business days

Unlike airline transfers, where you might need points in your account before award space disappears, hotel award availability is generally more stable. Still, don’t wait until the last minute.

Hotel-Specific Pitfalls for Choice Privileges Transfers

Dynamic Pricing on Award Nights

Choice Privileges uses dynamic award pricing, meaning the points required for a free night fluctuate based on demand, season, and cash rates. A property that costs 15,000 points tonight might cost 25,000 points next weekend. This makes it risky to transfer points speculatively—you might transfer 20,000 points expecting to book a specific night, only to find the price has jumped.

Decision rule: Always check the points price for your specific dates before transferring any points. Never transfer first and search later.

Award Availability Isn’t Guaranteed

Not every night at every Choice property is available for points redemptions. Some properties restrict award availability during peak periods or events. Check availability on the Choice Privileges website before initiating any transfer.

Cancellation Terms for Award Stays

Choice Privileges award night cancellation policies can vary by property and rate type. Some award bookings allow free cancellation up to a certain deadline, while others may be more restrictive. Always review the cancellation policy during the booking process. If you cancel after transferring points, the Choice points are returned to your Choice account—but they cannot be reversed to your credit card program.

Transfer Irreversibility

This is the single most important pitfall. Once you transfer points from Amex, Capital One, Citi, or Wells Fargo to Choice Privileges, the transfer is permanent. There is no mechanism to move those points back to your credit card program. If you transfer 50,000 Amex points to Choice and then find a better use for them, those points are gone.

This applies to all hotel and airline transfer partners, not just Choice—but it’s especially important here because the value gap between credit card points and Choice points is large.

How Choice Privileges Compares to Other Hotel Transfer Programs

For context, here’s how Choice stacks up against the other major hotel loyalty programs that accept credit card point transfers:

Choice’s main advantage is its partnerships with Citi and Wells Fargo, which the other hotel programs lack. If Citi ThankYou Points or Wells Fargo Rewards are your primary currency, Choice is one of the few hotel options available (though at a painful 1:2 ratio).

Choice Privileges Points Pooling vs. External Transfers

In early 2026, Choice Privileges launched a free points pooling feature that allows members to transfer points between Choice accounts at no cost. This is distinct from external credit card transfers and is useful for:

• Combining household balances for a redemption
• Preventing points from expiring in a low-activity account
• Topping off a family member’s account for a booking

Points pooling is internal only—it doesn’t involve credit card programs or airlines. But it’s worth knowing about because it can reduce the need for external transfers. If a family member has unused Choice points, pooling them is far more efficient than transferring fresh credit card points at a loss of value.

Decision Framework: Should You Transfer Points to Choice Privileges?

Use this framework to decide:

Step 1: Do you have a specific Choice booking in mind?

• No → Do not transfer. Never transfer speculatively.
• Yes → Continue.

Step 2: Check the points price for your exact dates.

• Calculate the CPP: cash rate ÷ points required.
• If CPP is below 0.5 → Book with cash instead.
• If CPP is 0.5–0.8 → Marginal. Consider cash or other options.
• If CPP is above 0.8 → Potentially worth it. Continue.

Step 3: Could you get better value from the same credit card points elsewhere?

• Check airline transfer options. Could those Amex points get you a business class award worth 2+ CPP?
• Check other hotel programs. Would Marriott or Hilton give better value for the same trip?
• If better options exist → Use those instead.
• If Choice is genuinely the best option → Transfer only the exact amount needed.

Step 4: Transfer and book immediately.

• Don’t let transferred points sit idle in your Choice account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Choice Privileges?

No. Chase Ultimate Rewards does not have a direct transfer partnership with Choice Privileges (per the ATH transfer table). Chase transfers to IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy for hotel options, plus numerous airline partners.

What is the Amex to Choice Privileges transfer ratio?

Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 ratio. One thousand Amex points become 1,000 Choice Privileges points.

What is the Citi to Choice transfer ratio, and why is it different?

Citi ThankYou Points transfer to Choice at 1:2, meaning you need 2,000 Citi points to receive 1,000 Choice points. You’re effectively losing half your points in the conversion. This makes Citi-to-Choice transfers a last resort for most travelers.

Can I transfer Bilt Rewards to Choice Privileges?

No. Bilt Rewards does not offer a direct transfer to Choice Privileges (per the ATH transfer table). Bilt does transfer to Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG One Rewards for hotel redemptions.

How long do Choice Privileges transfers take?

Transfer times vary by bank. Amex and Capital One transfers typically complete within minutes to two business days. Citi and Wells Fargo may take one to several business days. Outbound transfers from Choice to airline partners can take two to six weeks.

Can I reverse a transfer to Choice Privileges?

No. All transfers to Choice Privileges are permanent and irreversible. Once points leave your credit card program, they cannot be returned. Always confirm your booking availability and points price before transferring.

Are there transfer bonuses for Choice Privileges?

Transfer bonuses to hotel programs are uncommon. Always check the current transfer portal in your credit card account for any active promotions, but do not count on bonuses when planning redemptions.

How much are Choice Privileges points worth?

Choice Privileges points are generally valued at approximately 0.6 cents per point when redeemed for hotel stays, though this varies by property and dates. Some redemptions can yield a higher or lower value.

What’s the minimum transfer amount?

Minimums vary by credit card program. Amex typically requires a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. Check your specific bank’s transfer portal for current minimums.

Do transferred points count toward Choice elite status?

No. Points transferred from credit card programs do not count toward elite status qualification with Choice Privileges. Only points earned through hotel stays and qualifying activities count toward status.

Is it better to transfer points to Choice or book through the credit card travel portal?

In most cases, booking through a credit card travel portal (like Amex Travel or Capital One Travel) at a fixed CPP rate delivers better value than transferring to Choice. The exception is when a specific Choice award night offers an unusually high CPP value.

Can I transfer Choice points to airline miles?

Yes, through the Choice Privileges Rewards Exchange program. The standard ratio is 5:1 (5,000 Choice points = 1,000 airline miles), with better ratios for Qantas (5:2), Virgin Australia (5:2), and Southwest (2:1). These ratios are generally poor compared to hotel booking rates.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Choice Privileges transfer partners offer a way to move credit card points into the Choice ecosystem, but the value proposition is narrow. The 1:1 ratios from Amex and Capital One are the most palatable, while the 1:2 ratios from Citi and Wells Fargo are hard to justify except in specific situations.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Check your existing Choice Privileges balance. If you already have points from hotel stays, a small top-up transfer might make sense for a specific booking.
2. Always calculate CPP before transferring. Use the Award Travel Hub calculator to compare the hotel redemption value against what your credit card points could get you elsewhere.
3. Compare all your transfer options. Before sending points to Choice, review the full credit card transfer partners guide to see whether an airline or other hotel program offers better value.
4. Never transfer speculatively. Have a specific booking confirmed as available at a known points price before moving any points.
5. Consider points pooling first. If family members have Choice balances, the free pooling feature launched in 2026 may eliminate the need for a credit card transfer entirely.

For most intermediate points-and-miles travelers, Choice Privileges transfers are a niche tool rather than a core strategy. The best use of Amex points, Capital One miles, Citi points, and other transferable currencies is typically through airline partners for premium cabin awards or through hotel programs with stronger per-point value. But when the right Choice booking comes along, knowing how these transfers work ensures you can act quickly and avoid costly mistakes.

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