Choice Privileges has introduced free points sharing, giving eligible friends and family a way to combine balances for a planned reward stay. Choice announced the feature on October 1, 2026. The precise activation date remains unclear: a regional official FAQ still carries an expected March launch date.

Transfers run through Choice’s website; telephone requests are unavailable. Under the current rules, both accounts must be active and at least 30 days old, with membership in good standing. The sender signs in and enters the recipient’s membership number, email address and name exactly as registered. We have not tested a live transfer or availability in every country.

Booking ownership matters just as much. Choice’s standard rules require reward reservations in the account owner’s name and direct members booking for someone else to points sharing. Use the intended traveller’s eligible account. Partner stays need their own checks: Preferred Hotels & Resorts uses a separate booking flow, and the public material reviewed does not establish a guest-name exception.

Sharing leaves the expiration clock running. Sending or receiving points does not reset either member’s forfeiture date, and incoming points can expire on the recipient’s existing deadline unless they complete separate qualifying activity. Transfers do not advance elite status or milestone rewards either. Check the receiving account’s expiration date before sending.

The Snob’s take: useful when it gets a real booking over the line. Combining existing balances can avoid buying more points, but hotel availability and charges still matter. Check the intended reward and the recipient’s eligibility first, then allow time for the transfer to arrive. Choice has made the balances easier to assemble; the trip still needs a plan.

Who is affected: Eligible Choice Privileges members sharing balances for reward travel.