Choice Privileges is offering triple points to members on all stays, beginning with their second stay, on arrivals through March 2, 2011. Members must book their stay at choicehotels.com or (800) 424-6423 at a qualifying rate to be eligible. The triple point offer does not require registration, but members can register and choose from two additional offers. The first offer is open to Elite Gold or general Choice Privileges members and allows members to earn double points, starting with their second stay, when making hotel reservations at a qualifying rate through a third party instead of via choicehotels.com or by calling Choice reservations. Elite Platinum and Diamond members can register to receive an extra 500 bonus points for each stay booked at choicehotels.com, starting with their second stay. These offers are only available to members who maintain an address in the U.S.

Bottom line: Being able to earn double points for stays booked through other travel websites could save you some money without compromising your ability to earn bonus points, but keep in mind that only qualifying rates are eligible, which means deeply discounted Priceline rates are most likely excluded. You can find a list of qualifying rates online at http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?3802 which includes best available rate, advance purchase, AAA and senior rate, among others. Compare whatever rate you find with the rate offered by choicehotels.com since you’ll earn triple instead of double points by booking through Choice, which may offset any price difference.