Wells Fargo has two Choice Privileges credit cards. A no-annual-fee Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (see rates and fees) and a $95 annual fee Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® (see rates and fees). Both have compelling limited-time sign-up bonuses.
Hotel credit cards can provide significant value if you frequently stay with a particular hotel loyalty program. So, here’s what you need to know about the Choice Privileges Mastercards.
Overview of the Choice Privileges Mastercards
Before we dive into the details of the Choice Privileges Mastercards, here’s an overview of what these cards offer:
| Choice Privileges Mastercard | Choice Privileges Select Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial limited-time sign-up bonus | 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three months | 90,000 points after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three months |
| Earning rates | 5 points per dollar spent on stays at participating Choice hotels
3 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases |
10 points per dollar spent on stays at participating Choice hotels
5 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases |
| Elite night credits each year | 10 (enough for at least Gold Elite status each calendar year) | 20 (enough for at least Platinum Elite status each calendar year) |
| Annual fee | No annual fee (see rates and fees) | $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) |
| Other notable perks | Up to $800 of cellphone telephone protection against damage or theft (subject to $25 deductible)
No foreign transaction fee World Elite Mastercard benefits |
Up to $800 of cellphone telephone protection against damage or theft (subject to $25 deductible)
No foreign transaction fee 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit World Elite Mastercard benefits |
Choice Privileges Mastercard: No annual fee
For a limited time, the Choice Privileges Mastercard is offering new applicants a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after they spend $1,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three months. This is enough points for up to seven reward nights at select Choice properties and is worth $360 according to TPG’s July 2024 valuations.
This no-annual-fee card has several useful features, including cellphone protection, no foreign currency conversion fees and World Elite Mastercard benefits.
Here’s a look at the card’s other benefits.
Earning rates
When you make eligible purchases with the Choice Privileges Mastercard, you’ll earn Choice points as follows:
- 5 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at participating Choice hotels
- 3 points per dollar spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Americas in 2022 and has integrated Radisson Rewards Americas into the Choice Privileges program. So, you should also earn 5 points per dollar spent at Radisson brands in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean now that these hotels are bookable through Choice.
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Related: From Yellowstone to Austria: 27 hotels you can book for less with Choice Hotels’ Sweet Spot Rewards
10 elite night credits for Gold Elite status
As a Choice Privileges Mastercard cardholder, you’ll get 10 elite night credits each year as a perk of your card account. These elite night credits will get you automatic Gold Elite status and could also help you earn a higher status within Choice Privileges.
I expect we’ll see changes to the Choice Privileges program, including elite status benefits, as Radisson Rewards Americas is now integrated. So, although Choice Privileges elite status doesn’t currently provide many helpful benefits, it may become more valuable later this year.
Related: Is hotel elite status worth it anymore?
Choice Privileges Select Mastercard: $95 annual fee
For a limited time, the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is offering new applicants a sign-up bonus of 90,000 points after spending $3,000 in qualifying purchases during the first three months. This is enough points for up to 11 reward nights at select Choice properties and is worth about $540, according to TPG’s July 2024 valuations.
Cardholders of the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard also enjoy several ongoing benefits, including cellphone protection, no foreign currency conversion fees, World Elite Mastercard benefits and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit. Now, let’s look at the card’s other primary benefits.
Earning rates
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard offers better earning rates on most purchases than the Choice Privileges Mastercard. In particular, you’ll earn as follows with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard:
- 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at participating Choice hotels
- 5 points per dollar spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plans
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
This means you’ll get an effective 6% return on qualifying stays at participating Choice hotels, according to TPG’s July 2024 valuations. This rate of return on hotel stays is competitive with some of the best travel rewards cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees).
Related: 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
20 elite night credits for Platinum Elite status
As a Choice Privileges Select Mastercard cardholder, you’ll get 20 elite night credits each year. These elite night credits are enough for automatic Platinum Elite status but could also help you earn Diamond Elite status (which requires 40 nights per year).
Bonus points each year
Travelers with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard also get 30,000 points at each account anniversary. Based on TPG’s July 2024 valuations, those points are worth about $180 — more than enough to justify the card’s $95 annual fee,
Thought of another way, you’re getting 30,000 Choice points each year for $95. So, you’re effectively buying Choice points for 0.31 cents per point. This is well under TPG’s July 2024 valuation of Choice points at 0.6 cents each, representing great value if you enjoy redeeming Choice points.
Related: College sports fans: You can redeem Choice points for exclusive events and experiences
Bottom line
Both Choice cards are offering compelling sign-up bonuses right now. The no-annual-fee Choice Privileges Mastercard may be a good option for Choice loyalists due to its 10 elite night credits per year and no foreign transaction fees. However, the earning rates are likely too low to compete with other travel rewards and everyday spending cards.
The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is a more compelling offer for most Choice loyalists. The limited-time sign-up bonus and $95 annual fee are great reasons to get the card. Additionally, the 30,000 points at each account anniversary and higher earning rates should provide enough value to justify keeping the card long-term.
Learn more in our full review of the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.
Apply here: Choice Privileges Mastercard
Apply here: Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
For rates and fees of the Choice Privileges Mastercard, click here.
For rates and fees of the Choice Privileges Select, click here.