The integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges has started: Here’s what you need to know

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

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.

In late June, we learned the integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges would begin on July 18 and finish before the end of summer. Now that the integration has begun, here’s what you need to know.

Information for Radisson Rewards Americas members

Woman using a laptop — LULIIA BONDAR/GETTY IMAGES

Radisson Rewards Americas members can still log in to their account throughout the integration to see their points balance, member tier, elite night credits and reservations made through the Radisson Hotels Americas website. You can also still book paid stays through the Radisson Hotels Americas website.

But since July 18 is here, Radisson Rewards Americas members should no longer be able to redeem Radisson Radisson Rewards Americas points or transfer rewards to or from the global Radisson Rewards program. However, when TPG’s Nick Ewen checked around 11:45 a.m. ET on July 18, the option to redeem Radisson Rewards Americas points for a stay was still possible. So you might be able to get a few last-minute award bookings in if you’re quick.

Radisson Rewards Americas award — RADISSONHOTELSAMERICAS.COM

Choice Privileges is currently integrating Radisson Rewards Americas accounts into its program. 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 in the weeks following July 18.

Points-eligible stays at legacy Radisson Hotels Americas properties you completed before July 18 earned Radisson Rewards Americas points. And award nights booked with Radisson Rewards Americas points before July 18 will be honored even for check-in on or after July 18.

Once the two programs are fully integrated, Radisson Rewards Americas members will see stays they originally booked through Radisson Rewards Americas in their Choice Privileges account.

A Choice Hotels spokesperson told TPG, “Members should be on the lookout for communication from Choice Privileges letting them know their Radisson Rewards America account was transferred.”

Changes in the Choice Privileges program

When I spoke with program leaders at the Choice convention earlier this year, they were seemingly still deciding how to fairly combine both programs’ loyalty benefits. And in late June, we learned 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.

Otherwise, Choice Privileges member benefits will seemingly stay mostly 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 in late June about booking legacy Radisson Rewards Americas hotels with Choice points. At the time, 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.

On July 17, I asked whether Choice Privileges planned to continue using set award pricing for weeknights and weekends across defined periods even once legacy Radisson Rewards Americas properties become bookable with Choice points. I also asked whether most Choice Privileges awards would continue to top out at 35,000 points per night (except in the Asia Pacific region) once the programs are integrated. I got the following response from a Choice Hotels spokesperson:

Radisson Hotels Americas properties will integrate into the Choice Privileges award chart. The redemption point levels for Radisson Hotels Americas properties have not been published yet.

So, it seems Choice Privileges will continue using an award chart with set redemption point levels for properties. However, the spokesperson stopped short of confirming whether most properties would continue to price at 35,000 points per night or less. The spokesperson also stopped short of confirming whether Choice Privileges will continue using its current award pricing model. However, they did say Radisson Rewards Americas properties will integrate into the Choice Privileges award chart.

Given this response, I expect Choice Privileges will continue its current award pricing model of publishing set award rates for each property across defined periods, with weekdays pricing differently than weeknights. And I suspect Choice Privileges will continue its current policy of only allowing award bookings within the next 100 days. The big question in my mind is whether we’ll start to see award nights worldwide topping out at more than 35,000 points per night.

Bottom line

Here’s hoping that the integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges goes smoothly and that redeeming Choice points continues to provide good value. As a Choice Privileges member, I’m eagerly awaiting the ability to book legacy Radisson Rewards Americas properties by redeeming Choice points. And I’m also excited to see Choice Privileges Diamond status start to include breakfast for two at select legacy Radisson Rewards Americas brands.