Has Choice Stopped Allowing Transfers to Southwest?

A reader Janice commented, asking:

Does Choice still allow one to exchange Choice hotel points for Southwest miles? I logged into www.choicehotels.com, but Southwest isn’t listed.

You can transfer Choice hotel points to Southwest and earn the Southwest Companion Pass. If Choice has stopped allowing point transfers to Southwest, it would be a game changer.

Southwest Companion Pass

Your companion can travel with you for up to two years for free* when you have to the Southwest Companion Pass.

They only pay airport taxes and fees. So it’s practically free.

You get a Southwest Companion Pass after earning 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year.

The fastest way to earn 110,000 Southwest points is by applying for two Southwest credit cards, completing the minimum spending, and transferring Choice hotel points:

50,000 Southwest points sign-up bonus for Southwest credit card #1
50,000 Southwest points sign-up bonus for Southwest credit card #2
2,000 Southwest points for completing the minimum spending on Southwest credit card #1
2,000 Southwest points for completing the minimum spending on Southwest credit card #1
6,000 Southwest points for transferring 24,000 Choice hotel points (with 1,200 Southwest points leftover)

Choice hotel points transfer to Southwest points at a ratio of 6,000 Choice points to 1,800 Southwest points.

You can read my post on how to transfer Choice hotel points to Southwest.

Choice Hotels New Website

There’s good news and bad news…

Revamped Choice Hotels website

The good news: Choice recently updated their website.

The bad news: The redeem points for airline miles function has been temporarily disabled.

Choice hotels, transfer hotel points to Southwest, Traveling Well For Less

You can’t transfer Choice hotels points to Southwest online…right now

I called Choice to see when we’ll be able to transfer Choice points to Southwest.

The good news: You can transfer Choice points to Southwest over the phone by calling Choice.

The representative I spoke with (after a lengthy discussion with someone on the technical side) wasn’t sure when the online transfer function will be reinstated. But at least you can still transfer Choice hotel points to Southwest.

Conclusion

You can transfer Choice hotel points to Southwest and get a Southwest Companion Pass.

To earn a Southwest Companion Pass that lets your companion travel with you for free (pay taxes only) for up to two years, you have to earn 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year.

The quickest way to earn 110,000 Southwest points in a calendar year is to get two Southwest credit cards, meet the minimum spending on both cards, and transfer Choice hotel points. Choice hotel points transfer at a ratio of 6,000 Choice points to 1,800 Southwest points.

Here’s how to transfer Choice hotel points to Southwest.

Choice’s new website temporarily doesn’t allow you to transfer Choice points online to Southwest. So you have to call. But they hope to restore that function soon and Janice and everyone else can transfer our Choice points to Southwest online.

Want to get more travel tips, learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points? Use the subscription box below to sign-up and get post updates by email.

Read our blog via RSS feed.

You can also follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, check out our photos on Instagram, or add me on Google+.

Traveling Well For Less has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

You can earn 75,000 points from all three personal Southwest cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card, card_name, and card_name when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card is one of the easiest ways to travel more and spend less. You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

My favorite perks about this card are earning 4 upgraded boarding each year, 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners , $75 yearly Southwest credit, and no foreign transaction fees.

Learn more about the Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card and how to apply

card_name

The is an easy way to fly free. You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

My favorite perks about this card are earning 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year, 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners, and no foreign transaction fees.

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply

card_name

The card_name is the least expensive way to earn a Companion Pass from a credit card. You can earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.

My favorite perks about this card are earning the 2 EarlyBird Check-ins every year, 2X points on Southwest purchases, internet, cable, phone, select streaming, ride share, hotel and car rental partners, and the lowest annual fee among all the Southwest credit cards .

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply

card_name

card_name is the best card to get started in the world of miles and points. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining, $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.

Learn more about the card_name and how to apply

card_name

The card_name is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of unlimited matched cash back on all your purchases your first year.

My favorite perks about this card are earning 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% cash back at drugstores and restaurants (including delivery and takeout), 1.5% cash back on all other purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the card_name, you can use your points to travel for free.