Snapshot of the source text at fetch time — not a live mirror of the policy page.
Plain-English summary
Choice Hotels' policy contains several noteworthy points. There is a high risk that hotel bills sent via the e-folio program could be intercepted due to unencrypted transmission via email or mobile applications (risk_flags-1). Furthermore, personal information collected by independently operated Franchised Hotels is not subject to this privacy policy (risk_flags-2) and the company explicitly states it does not control how these hotels collect, use, or access your information (risk_flags-3). If you apply for a Choice Privileges Mastercard, your data will be shared with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and subject to their separate privacy statement (risk_flags-4). Your personal information may also be processed in various global jurisdictions that might not offer equivalent privacy protection as your home country (data_use-1). Lastly, your data could be disclosed to a third party during business changes like mergers or sales (risk_flags-5).
90% confidence
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Risk Flags
Critical issues or red flags that users should be aware of immediately.
high95% confidence confidence
Hotel bills sent unencrypted via email in E-Folio program
If you participate in the electronic billing e-folio program, your hotel bill will be sent over the Internet in an unsecure (unencrypted) manner by email or through mobile applications, depending on your preference and selection, and could be subject to interception by third parties.
Why it matters: Your hotel bill, potentially containing sensitive information, may be vulnerable to interception by third parties if you use the e-folio program due to unencrypted transmission via email or mobile apps.
If you participate in the electronic billing e-folio program, your hotel bill will be sent to you over the Internet in an unsecure (unencrypted) manner – by email or through our mobile applications, depending on your preference and selection - and could be subject to interception by third parties.
Information collected by Franchised Hotels not subject to this policy
Your personal information collected or maintained directly by the Franchised Hotels is not subject to this policy, unless such information has been shared with us, in which case the policy only covers Choice’s collection, use, and maintenance of your personal information.
Why it matters: Personal information collected directly by independently owned and operated Franchised Hotels may not be protected under this privacy policy, meaning your data privacy there could be subject to different, potentially less stringent, terms.
Your personal information collected or maintained directly by the Franchised Hotels is not subject to this policy, unless such information has been shared with us, in which case the policy only covers Choice’s collection, use, and maintenance of your personal information.
No control over Franchised Hotels' information handling practices
We do not control the collection, use, or access of your information by the Franchised Hotels and their staff.
Why it matters: Your personal information, when handled by independently operated Franchised Hotels, is beyond the control of Choice Hotels regarding its collection, use, or access, which could expose you to varying privacy practices.
We do not control the collection, use, or access of your information by the Franchised Hotels and their staff.
Data transferred to Wells Fargo Bank N.A. for credit card applications
If you choose to apply for any of the Choice Privileges Mastercard(s), you will be required to enter certain personal information as part of the credit application process. Please refer to the Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., privacy statement posted within the credit card application to understand how the information you supply will be used.
Why it matters: Applying for a Choice Privileges Mastercard requires sharing personal information with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and its use will be governed by a separate privacy statement that you must review independently.
As available in specified regions, if you choose to apply for any of the Choice Privileges Mastercard(s), you will be required to enter certain personal information as part of the credit application process. Please refer to the Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., privacy statement posted within the credit card application to understand how the information you supply will be used.
**Other Uses of Personal Information**, paragraph 9 · Citation strength: strong
low90% confidence confidence
Personal information may be disclosed during business changes
We may disclose your personal information to a third party in the event of any reorganization, merger, sale, joint venture, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or any portion of our business, assets or stock (including in connection with any bankruptcy or similar proceedings).
Why it matters: Your personal information may be transferred to a new entity if Choice Hotels undergoes a reorganization, merger, sale, or similar business transaction, potentially leading to a change in how your data is handled.
We may disclose your personal information to a third party in the event of any reorganization, merger, sale, joint venture, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or any portion of our business, assets or stock (including in connection with any bankruptcy or similar proceedings).
**Other Uses of Personal Information**, paragraph 11 · Citation strength: strong
Data Use
How the company collects, uses, and shares your personal information.
medium90% confidence confidence
Personal information processing in countries with lower privacy protection
Your personal information (including credit card number) will be processed in the United States, as well as other jurisdictions globally that may not afford the same level of privacy protection as the jurisdiction where you reside, to complete your transaction and to facilitate the making of future reservations.
Why it matters: Your personal information, including credit card details, may be processed in countries globally that offer different levels of privacy protection compared to your home jurisdiction, potentially exposing your data to varying legal standards.
Your personal information (including credit card number) will be processed in the United States,as well as other jurisdictions globally that may not afford the same level of privacy protection as the jurisdiction where you reside, to complete your transaction and to facilitate the making of future reservations.
Terms related to service cancellation, account closure, and subscription renewal.
✓
Looking good
No billing surprises spotted
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. No cancellation, auto-renewal, or refund terms needed attention here.
Gotchas
Potentially overlooked clauses that could have notable implications for the user.
✓
Looking good
No hidden gotchas
Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. Nothing easy-to-miss stood out in this section.
Protections
Provisions that protect user rights or offer consumer-friendly terms.
Protection95% confidence confidence
Does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18
Our websites are not intended for children, and we do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information for persons under the age of 18.
Why it helps: This commitment helps protect the privacy of minors by stating that the company does not intentionally target or collect personal information from individuals under 18 years old, reducing the risk of data exposure for children.
Our websites are not intended for children, and we do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information for persons under the age of 18.