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For the last decade, Choice Hotels has partnered with Barclays for its co-branded credit card. Tuesday, Choice and Wells Fargo announced a revamp of the co-branded card, with enhanced perks and earning power and automatic Gold Elite status.
Choice is primarily known in the U.S. for economy hotels. Recently it has made moves to attract travelers across more price points, with its acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas and the expansion of its Cambria and Ascend brands. Choice now has more than 7,500 locations worldwide across more than 20 hotel brands.
Like its previous iteration, the Choice Hotels credit card from Wells Fargo has no annual fee and is packed with benefits. The Choice credit card earns up to five points per dollar spent and includes automatic Gold Elite membership, cellphone protection and World Elite Mastercard benefits. Learn more about what’s changing with the new card, what isn’t and when the new Choice Hotels credit card will be available from Wells Fargo.
The New Credit Card’s Launch Date
The new Choice Hotels credit card from Wells Fargo is launching in May 2023.
Existing cardholders will begin receiving their new credit cards in early May. The new benefits and features are effective May 1, and Wells Fargo will notify existing customers by mail in February.
Also on May 1, Wells Fargo will open applications for the Choice Hotels credit card.
Choice Hotels Card Earning Power and Benefits
The new Choice Hotels card from Wells Fargo will continue earning up to 15 points per dollar spent on your stays at Choice hotels and resorts. You’ll earn 10 points as a Choice Privileges member plus another five points from your Choice credit card.
Cardholders will receive the enhanced earning power of three points per dollar on popular consumer spending categories, including gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans. All other purchases earn one point.
Choice and Wells Fargo include numerous benefits that add value for cardholders, without charging an annual fee. These benefits include:
- Automatic Gold Elite membership. You’ll receive 10 Elite night credits each year, which qualifies you for Gold Elite status. These credits also provide a path for Platinum Elite or Diamond Elite status based on your stays each year.
- Cellphone protection. When you pay your cellphone bill with your Choice Hotels credit card, you’ll receive protection of up to $800 against accidental damage or theft. If you need to file a claim, you’ll pay a $25 deductible.
How the Choice Card Is Changing
One of the biggest differences is a switch from Visa to Mastercard as card processor. “Teaming up with Wells Fargo and Mastercard allows us to provide cardmembers with even faster ways to earn exceptional rewards,” says Robert McDowell, chief commercial officer at Choice Hotels.
Here’s a summary of other changes cardholders can expect:
- Credit card number. Cardholders will have a new card number. If you have recurring charges to your card, update the merchant when you get your new number.
- Bonus categories. The current Choice credit card provides a flat two points on all non-Choice purchases. The new card from Wells Fargo earns three points on select categories and one point on everything else.
- Cellphone protection. Wells Fargo provides cellphone coverage against theft or accidental damage.
- World Elite Mastercard benefits. Switching from Visa to Mastercard allows Choice to offer World Elite Mastercard benefits, like monthly Lyft credits, DoorDash perks, a ShopRunner membership, travel benefits when booking through Mastercard Travel and concierge services.
- Automatic payments. If you have automatic payments set up for your account, you’ll need to reestablish those payments by registering your online account with Wells Fargo.
How the Choice Card Is Staying the Same
Although there are some significant changes to the Choice Privileges credit card, many of the features are staying the same. Customers will continue to receive these features and benefits:
- Automatic Gold Elite status. With your card, you’ll receive 10 Elite Night credits each year, which is enough for Gold status. These credits also count toward earning higher levels of status.
- Points earned at Choice Hotels. Cardholders will continue to earn five points on every dollar they spend at Choice hotels and resorts.
- Interest rate. Customer interest rates will not increase when their accounts convert from Barclays to Wells Fargo.
- No Annual fee. The card won’t begin charging an annual fee.
- Choice transfer partners. Choice will continue to be a transfer partner of several flexible points programs, including American Express, Capital One and Citi.
Questions About the New Choice Hotels Card
Choice Hotels and Wells Fargo are introducing some exciting changes to the Choice Privileges Mastercard. However, there are some features and benefits that aren’t finalized yet, including:
- Welcome bonus. How many points can you earn as a new cardholder and what’s the required spending and time to earn the welcome bonus?
- 0% intro APR offer. The current card from Barclays offers a 0% intro annual percentage rate for 15 months on balance transfers. Will new cardholders get a 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers, both or neither?
- Additional Elite Night credits. Many hotel credit cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card, give cardholders additional Elite Night credits toward higher levels of status, based on their annual spending. Choice hasn’t announced whether its new card will offer this benefit.
- Anniversary bonus. Current cardholders can earn 8,000 points as an anniversary bonus when they spend $10,000 in a calendar year. Will there be an opportunity to earn an anniversary bonus when you renew the card or spend a certain amount in a year?
- Transfer partners. Will Choice Privileges add additional transfer partners, like Chase or Bilt, or will Wells Fargo launch its own transferable points program?
Wells Fargo also hasn’t said whether it will start offering different versions of Choice Hotels credit cards. With Choice’s investment into premium brands, like Ascend and Cambria, and its acquisition of Radisson Americas, the company could offer premium and business credit cards in the future.
FAQs
What Happens to My Existing Choice Card?
Existing cardholders can continue using their Choice Hotels credit card from Barclays until their new Wells Fargo card arrives. Once you activate your new card, the old one is no longer valid and should be shredded.
Who Should I Contact About Account Questions?
If you have questions about your existing Choice Hotels credit card, contact Barclays until you activate your Wells Fargo card. Once your new card is activated, Wells Fargo will handle all customer service questions. For questions about your Choice Privileges account, contact Choice Hotels customer service.
Will I Lose My Choice Points?
No, you will not lose your Choice Privileges points. Points earned from your Barclays card will transfer after your final statement closes. You’ll continue earning Choice Privileges points with your new Wells Fargo card.
When Should I Get My New Choice Card?
Choice Hotels and Wells Fargo will issue new Mastercard credit cards for all existing customers in May 2023 and begin mailing them out on May 1. You can continue using your existing Choice Hotels credit card until your new card arrives.
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