Clarion is a mid-range hotel brand owned by Choice Hotels with its own rewards program

Clarion is a hotel chain operated by Choice Hotels International. The brand sits between budget and upscale — you'll find Clarion properties in cities, suburbs, and along highways. If you stay at Clarion hotels regularly or book through their rewards program, you earn points toward free nights and other perks.

The rewards program is called Choice Privileges, and it's the same program used across all Choice Hotels brands (which include Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, and others). You don't join a separate Clarion program — you join Choice Privileges and earn points at any participating Choice property, including Clarion.

Key Takeaways

  • Clarion hotels are mid-range properties run by Choice Hotels, and you earn rewards through the Choice Privileges program, which works at all Choice brands.
  • Choice Privileges members earn points per dollar spent on room rates, and points never expire as long as your account stays active.
  • You can redeem points for free nights, room upgrades, or other rewards depending on your membership tier and the property's availability.
  • Joining Choice Privileges is free, and you can enroll online or at the front desk when you check in.

How Choice Privileges membership works at Clarion

When you join Choice Privileges, you get a membership number that you use every time you book a Clarion room. You earn points based on the room rate you pay — the exact earning rate depends on your membership tier and whether you book directly through Choice Hotels or through a third-party site.

Your membership has four tiers: Silver (the entry level), Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. You move up by staying a certain number of nights per year. Each tier unlocks benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. You don't pay extra for higher tiers — you reach them by staying more nights.

Points don't expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity means a stay, a points transfer, or even a small purchase at a participating hotel. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, Choice Privileges may close it and you'll lose your points.

Earning points at Clarion properties

The number of points you earn per dollar spent varies. When you book directly through the Choice Hotels website or app, you typically earn more points than when you book through a third-party travel site like Expedia or Booking.com. Direct bookings also let you see your exact earning rate before you complete the reservation.

You earn points on the room rate only — not on taxes, resort fees, or parking. If a Clarion property charges a resort fee, that fee is separate from the room rate and doesn't earn points. Some properties also offer bonus point promotions during certain seasons or for specific booking windows.

If you book through a travel site and forget to enter your Choice Privileges number, you can usually request the points after your stay. Contact Choice Hotels customer service with your confirmation number and membership ID, and they can often add the points to your account within a few weeks.

What you can do with your points

The most common redemption is a free night. The number of points required depends on the property's category — a budget Clarion in a small town costs fewer points than a Clarion in a major city. You can see the point cost for any property before you book, and you can search by point value if you want to find properties within a certain range.

You can also use points for room upgrades, though availability is limited and depends on what's open when you arrive. Some properties let you bid extra points to upgrade to a suite or better room type. Other redemption options include gift cards to Choice Hotels partners, airline miles transfers, or donations to certain charities, though these vary by program year.

Free night certificates are another option at higher membership tiers. Platinum and Diamond members receive annual free night certificates that you can use at any Clarion property up to a certain point value. These certificates don't expire within the calendar year, but they reset each January.

Booking a Clarion stay with your membership number

When you book online through choicehotels.com or the Choice Hotels app, you enter your membership number during checkout. The system shows you the points you'll earn before you confirm the reservation. If you book by phone, give the reservations agent your membership number and they'll add it to your booking.

If you arrive at a Clarion without having booked through Choice Hotels, you can still give your membership number at check-in and the front desk will add it to your reservation. Points usually post to your account within a few days of checkout, though it can take up to two weeks depending on how the property processes its data.

You can check your points balance anytime by logging into your Choice Privileges account online or through the app. The app also shows your progress toward the next membership tier and displays available redemptions near your location.

Member benefits beyond points at Clarion

Choice Privileges members get perks that don't cost points. All members receive free Wi-Fi at Clarion properties, and most Clarion hotels include a hot breakfast. Higher tiers unlock additional benefits: Gold members typically get room upgrades when available, Platinum members get late checkout (usually until 1 p.m.), and Diamond members get priority customer service and sometimes complimentary room upgrades.

Members also get access to member-only rates when booking directly through Choice Hotels. These rates are sometimes lower than the public rate for the same room on the same night. You have to be logged into your Choice Privileges account to see member rates — they don't appear if you're browsing as a guest.

During promotional periods, Choice Privileges runs bonus point offers — for example, "earn double points on all stays in March" or "earn 5,000 bonus points after your first stay." These promotions are announced through email to members and on the Choice Hotels website, so it's worth checking before you book if there's a current offer running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to join Choice Privileges?

No. Choice Privileges membership is free. You can join online at choicehotels.com, through the mobile app, or at the front desk when you check in to any Clarion or other Choice Hotels property. There are no annual fees or membership dues.

Can I transfer my points to someone else?

You can transfer points to another Choice Privileges member, but there are limits and possible fees depending on the amount. Contact Choice Hotels customer service to request a transfer. Points can also be transferred to airline partners, though the conversion rate varies.

What happens to my points if I don't stay for a while?

Points expire if your account has no activity for 24 months. Activity includes a stay, a points transfer, or even a small purchase at a hotel. If you're concerned about expiration, you can log in and make a small transaction to reset the clock, or contact customer service to request an extension.

Can I use points at other hotel brands besides Clarion?

Yes. Choice Privileges points work at all Choice Hotels brands, including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Cambria, and others. You use the same membership number and earn and redeem points the same way across all brands.

What if I book through a travel website instead of Choice Hotels directly?

You can still earn points, but you typically earn fewer points per dollar than you would booking directly. Make sure to enter your Choice Privileges number during booking or provide it at check-in. If you forget, contact Choice Hotels customer service with your confirmation number and they can usually add the points after your stay.