What is the difference between EQNs and EQCs?

EQNs are the eligible nights you stay. EQCs are the Stay Base Points you earn on eligible stays; elite bonus points and most promotional points do not count. Each level has a separate threshold for each, and you qualify on whichever you reach first.

Can I combine nights and credits?

No. Choice's rules say a member cannot combine EQNs and EQCs to reach a level: one threshold must be met on its own.

What happens if I do not requalify?

Your status drops one level on 1 January of the following year, even if you did not qualify for that lower level. It keeps stepping down a level each year you do not requalify.

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges has four Elite levels above the standard membership: Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Titanium. Each can be earned in a calendar year either on Elite Qualifying Nights (EQNs) or on Elite Qualifying Credits (EQCs), the base points earned on eligible stays. The two cannot be added together: you meet one threshold or the other.

If you do not requalify by the end of the year, Choice moves you down one level on 1 January rather than straight to the bottom (it calls this Status Soft Landing). Status Lark shows the published thresholds and how far you are from each level; it does not calculate Choice Privileges points.

Elite tiers

Tier qualification
Tier	Qualification
Gold	5 nights or 10,000 elite qualifying credits
Platinum	15 nights or 30,000 elite qualifying credits
Diamond	35 nights or 70,000 elite qualifying credits
Titanium	55 nights or 110,000 elite qualifying credits

Gold: 5 Elite Qualifying Nights (EQNs) OR 10,000 Elite Qualifying Credits (EQCs) in a calendar year; EQNs and EQCs cannot be combined. EQCs are Stay Base Points from Points-Eligible Stays (elite bonus and promotional points excluded). Member is the entry level. Requalify each calendar year; a miss drops one tier on 1 January (Status Soft Landing).
Platinum: 15 EQNs OR 30,000 EQCs in a calendar year; not combinable. Status Soft Landing: one tier down on 1 January if not requalified.
Diamond: 35 EQNs OR 70,000 EQCs in a calendar year; not combinable. Status Soft Landing applies.
Titanium: 55 EQNs OR 110,000 EQCs in a calendar year; not combinable. Status Soft Landing applies. The US-only Choice Privileges Mastercard adds EQNs and EQCs (not modelled).

How we checked this

Transcribed from pages published by Choice Privileges, read on 17 October 2026: Choice Privileges Rules and Regulations; Choice Privileges benefits page; Choice Privileges programme page. Two readers transcribed each figure independently and agreed.

Publisher pages read: choicehotels.com.

Programmes change their rules without notice — confirm a figure with Choice Privileges before you rely on it.

How far are you from each tier?

→ Choice Privileges Tier Calculator

Earning

Status Lark does not model Choice Privileges earning yet: no points rates, card EQN bonuses or status matches. The tiers above are the published thresholds; EQNs and EQCs are counted by Choice, not by us.

Shortcuts

No card, subscription or membership shortcuts are modelled for Choice Privileges yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EQNs and EQCs?: EQNs are the eligible nights you stay. EQCs are the Stay Base Points you earn on eligible stays; elite bonus points and most promotional points do not count. Each level has a separate threshold for each, and you qualify on whichever you reach first.
Can I combine nights and credits?: No. Choice's rules say a member cannot combine EQNs and EQCs to reach a level: one threshold must be met on its own.
What happens if I do not requalify?: Your status drops one level on 1 January of the following year, even if you did not qualify for that lower level. It keeps stepping down a level each year you do not requalify.