Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Last week while reporting on Daily Getaways and the purchase of Choice Privileges points, I came across the unsettling information that hotels in Japan as well as all Nordic Choice hotels were showing absolutely no availability. There was no word on whether this was a glitch or a calculated maneuver by Choice Privileges to limit the value of its redeemable hotels.

This sucked, as I had just bought 250,000 Choice points (my first ever!) in a far-seeking attempt to plan for a trip to Japan. I was understandably bummed by the seemingly deliberate decision, and pondered where best I could use my newly acquired stash (Perhaps the $50/night all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic?).

Luckily for me, today I checked Choice Hotels’ website, and it looks like availability is back!

a screenshot of a hotel

This isn’t limited to Japan either, as results show up for Nordic Choice Hotels as well.

a screenshot of a hotel search engine

These hotels offer some of the best cents per point redemptions within the Choice Privileges program, so I’m definitely relieved to see them back. While I don’t have actual dates set for Japan yet (yes, I purchased points semi-speculatively), my enormous stash essentially means I can stay wherever I need for however long I need without paying the horribly high cash costs common in the country. Score!

(SEE ALSO: 4 best uses of Choice points)

Did anyone else buy Choice points? Where are you going to use them?


Points With a Crew has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Points With a Crew and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them

User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.

BoardingArea