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# Why is No One Talking About Cheap Choice Privileges Award Nights?
- URL: https://www.pnm.now/choice-privileges-sweet-spots/
- Published: 2026-08-21T20:37:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-21T20:47:07.000Z
- Description: Choice devalued Japan three times this summer. But some 8,000-point stays and 10,000-point Central Europe Clarions survived.
- Author: Andrew Kunesh
- Tags: hotels, verified

**Editor's note:** *Why Is No One Talking About This?* is an opinion series where I look at under-the-radar credit cards, redemptions, and other points and miles topics that are often overlooked by other blogs. A new issue is out every Friday.

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Not long ago, everyone had a Choice Privileges take. Cheap Tokyo stays, Citi ThankYou points transferred at a 1:2 ratio. Now nobody mentions the program at all — and that's not because all the deals dried up. Instead, there were some deep cuts that affected *some* of the best Choice redemptions.

Here's the short version. Choice raised award rates across Japan in [early June](https://thepointsguy.com/news/choice-privileges-japan-devaluation/?ref=pnm.now), [again in mid-July](https://upgradedpoints.com/news/choice-privileges-second-devaluation-japan/?ref=pnm.now), and [a third time in August](https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/08/06/choice-privileges-third-round-of-points-devaluation-for-hotels-in-japan/?ref=pnm.now). Central Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka went from 8,000 points a night to somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000\. Scandinavia took [its own cuts](https://travel-dealz.com/news/choice-privileges-scandinavia-devaluation/?ref=pnm.now) back in 2024\. To make matters worse, Citi [trimmed its Choice transfer ratio](https://viewfromthewing.com/citibank-is-slashing-points-transfers-to-two-partners-april-19-one-drops-25-the-other-50/?ref=pnm.now) from 1:2 to 1:1.5 in April.

That's a rough few months for Choice Privileges — but there's still plenty of value to be found, especially if you're going *slightly* off the beaten path.

That 8,000-point tier is where the real deals live, and Japan is still the best place to find them. You can book hotels in Kure, Akita, and the Comfort Suites Tokyo Bay at this level. The Tokyo Bay property is the standout — it's out by Tokyo Disney rather than downtown, but weekend cash rates often run around $170.

![Comfort Hotel Akita award staty pricing](https://storage.ghost.io/c/63/5e/635e69b4-9fd0-41a2-8300-77063d35058e/content/images/2026/08/Comfort-Hotel-Akita-Award-Stay.png)

Comfort Hotel Akita award stay. Image credit: Choice Hotels

Good deals exist outside of Japan, too. You'll find 10,000-point stays throughout Central Europe. Some good options include the Clarion Hotel Prague City, Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town, and Clarion Hotel Vienna South. From experience, the Prague properties are no-frills but centrally located.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/63/5e/635e69b4-9fd0-41a2-8300-77063d35058e/content/images/2026/08/Choice-properties-in-Prague--Czech-Republic.png)

Image credit: Choice Hotels

It's relatively easy to earn Choice points, too. Wells Fargo Rewards transfers at a 1:2 ratio, while Citi ThankYou points move at a 1:1.5 ratio with a Strata Premier, Strata Elite, or Citi Prestige card. Amex and Capital One both transfer at a flat 1:1.

Andrew's Take 

![Andrew Kunesh](https://www.pnm.now/assets/built/ak-headshot.png) 

Choice Privileges flies under the radar, but it's worth knowing. The points are easy to earn, and there are some excellent deals at the 8,000- and 10,000-point levels. The hotels might not be the most luxurious, but they're comfortable places to spend a night or two on your next adventure.

Source: [Choice Hotels](https://www.choicehotels.com/?ref=pnm.now)