Choice Hotels Deep Dive

Jan 9, 2026

This episode features a reflective look at memorable award travel experiences from 2025. Highlights include Bilt's new flight search tool and the potential for mortgage-earning points. The discussion digs deep into the Choice Privileges program, exploring its new Titanium status with enticing perks like free breakfast and suite bookings for the price of standard rooms. However, they also highlight downsides like resort fees and inconsistent late checkout. Anthony shares his travel plans while maximizing Amex credits, making for a well-rounded conversation on travel and rewards.

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ANECDOTE

Memorable Award Travel Moments

Paul and others shared standout 2025 travel moments ranging from Swiss First to family reunions.
Angie highlighted a personal favorite: a family reunion in Maine and Acadia funded mostly with points.

ADVICE

Use Bilt's New Flight Search

Check Bilt's new flight search to compare revenue fares, portal rewards, and transfer costs in one place.
Test it yourself to see if Bilt's airline partners and transfer options fit your needs.

INSIGHT

Alaska's Big Partner Earning Change

Alaska will boost partner EQM earning for paid premium cabins up to 250% in 2026.
That change can dramatically accelerate status and mileage accrual for business/first cash tickets.

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Episode 154 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features Angie Sparks and moderator Anthony Cave, recorded early due to scheduling, with a lighter news slate and no new card bonuses or trip updates from Angie. The highlight of the week was a reflective community post where members shared their best award travel experiences of 2025, ranging from aspirational first-class flights like Swiss, Emirates, and Singapore Suites to more personal moments such as traveling with loved ones or beginning retirement abroad. In news, the hosts discussed Bilt’s new real-time award flight search tool, rumors around a possible “Bilt 2.0” card with mortgage-earning potential, JetBlue’s still-active ultra-low 800-point award flights, improving Alaska partner earning rates in 2026, and a Marriott-to-Singapore Airlines status pathway.

Anthony shared that while he hasn’t picked up new bonuses, he’s been maximizing Amex credits and is planning a big winter trip to either Europe or Asia, along with booking some comped cruises. The main topic of the episode was a deep dive into the Choice Privileges rewards program, including the newly introduced Titanium status tier. Key elite benefits include free breakfast at former Radisson properties for Diamond members, a new Titanium award, and the standout perk of being able to book suites for the same number of points as standard rooms. Downsides include resort fees on award stays and inconsistent late checkout.

The hosts outlined how Choice status is relatively easy to earn through its two credit cards, which provide automatic status, elite night credits, and strong earning categories. They also highlighted valuable redemption sweet spots—such as hotels in Prague, Vienna, Tokyo, and Auckland for surprisingly low point totals—and favorable transfer ratios from major bank programs. The episode wrapped up with a reminder that Marriott PointSavers awards can only be searched on desktop, making it a useful but often overlooked tool.

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Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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