An agreement has been reached for Choice Hotels to acquire Radisson Hotel Group Americas for approximately $675 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022, pending regulatory approvals.

As I understand the situation, Choice will be buying the right to continue using Radisson branding on the 600+ hotels it is acquiring in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. It is somewhat less clear whether Choice can also sign up new franchisees under Radisson branding…

The Loyalty Perspective

Because Radisson is essentially owned by the Chinese government, it was forced to hive off its North and South American operations into a separate entity that many refer to as Radisson Rewards Americas.

This continues to be confusing for many, as Radisson Rewards also continues to operate – for Radisson’s international hotels only. Although you can theoretically move points back and forth between Radisson Rewards and Radisson Rewards Americas – as well as request a status match – it isn’t very clear how to do so.

At this stage of the takeover, it is unclear whether these 600+ hotels will be added to Choice Privileges, or whether Choice will continue to operate Radisson Rewards Americas separately. I would assume the former…

Bottom Line

It appears likely that Radisson Rewards Americas will be put out of its misery.  If you have a nice stash of Radisson points, you might want to spend them quickly, or at least move them over the Radisson Rewards (worldwide).

For those with Choice Privileges points, it looks like you will soon have more options to use those points at a few nicer hotels…