Marriott, Starwood, Best Western and Choice have free night promotions allowing you to pay now and stay free later on another trip. They all have restrictions on the type of free night allowed, so read the rules carefully and see if the free night looks like one you can use.

Marriott Rewards – One Free Night after Two Stays June 1 – August 31.

Marriott International hotel brands: Marriott, JW Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club, Renaissance, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Autograph Collection, Ritz-Carlton, Edition. (AC Hotels is Marriott’s new brand in Europe, but AC Hotels are not listed as a participating brand for this promotion.)

• Register for this promotion by June 30.
• Stays at Marriott brand hotels worldwide qualify for promotion.
• Maximum of two free nights may be earned per member during promotion period after 4 stays.
• Free night is valid for any hotel category 1 to category 4 hotel worldwide. These are the lower category hotels, but includes around 2,500 hotels globally.
• Free night may be redeemed from June 5 to December 31, 2011.
• Award nights are not transferable and may not be gifted.
• Loyalty Traveler May 16 post on this Marriott promotion.

Strategy for Marriott Rewards promotion: My wife and I have traveled where one night at a hotel is a reservation in my name and the second night is a reservation in her name. First person should check out and get a hotel stay folio before second person checks in under different member account to be sure the stays credit appropriately to each member’s account for the free night credit.

This allows longer stays without changing hotels while maximizing promotion credit. Just tell the hotel you are staying on two different reservations to maximize the Marriott Rewards promotion and you might not need to change rooms during your hotel stay.

Starwood Preferred Guest – One Free Night at a Starwood Resort after Three Stays, May 1 – July 31.

Starwood Hotels brands: Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, Aloft, Element, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Le Meridien.

• Register for this promotion by June 30.
• Stays at Starwood brand hotels worldwide qualify for promotion.
• No limit to earned free nights during promotion period.
• Free night is valid at over 200 Starwood Resorts worldwide.
• Free night may be redeemed any day of week to December 21, 2011.
• Redeem free nights by calling Starwood customer service 1-888-625-4988 (toll-free) and requesting Award ID 3FRN
• Award nights are not transferable and may not be gifted.
• Loyalty Traveler April 15 post on this promotion.

Choice Hotels – 8,000 points after Two Stays, May 19 – August 11, 2011.

Choice Brands: Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, Ascend Collection, MainStay Suites, Suburban, Rodeway Inn, EconoLodge.

• Register for this promotion to increase earning limit to 4 bonuses for 32,000 points, otherwise the limit is 2 bonuses for 16,000 points. Elite Platinum and Diamond members may earn bonus 10 times for 80,000 points.
• Must be a resident of U.S., U.S. territories or Canada.
• Book at ChoiceHotels.com or 1-800-4CHOICE. (Elite platinum and elite diamond may book through any channel.
• Important to note: a minimum 2-night stay is required for an eligible stay at the Choice Hotels budget brands of EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn and extended-stay brands Suburban and MainStay Suites.
• 8,000 points is sufficient for about 1,500 hotels or 25% of all Choice Hotels. Many hotels will require 16,000, 20,000 or 25,000 points for a free night.
• Loyalty Traveler May 16 post on Choice Hotels promotion.

Best Western Hotels – One free night after three stays June 19-August 14, 2011.

Best Western hotels are all one brand, but in 2011 three tiers were created with most of the worldwide 4,000+ properties remaining Best Western and about 800 hotels as Best Western Plus and around 100+ hotels (mostly outside U.S.) as Best Western Premier.

• Register for this promotion by logging into account, click My Account tab, and in section titled “Membership Overview” click the tab “Special Offers Sign-Up“.  This promotion should be listed.
• Here are the promotion terms.
• Promotion registration only open for residents of U.S., Canada, Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Stay at any Best Western worldwide to qualify for free night.
• Limit of one free night voucher per member during promotion period.
• Free night voucher expires January 31, 2012.
• Free night voucher valid only at Best Western hotels in U.S., Canada, Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Elite members of Best Western Rewards earn 6,500 bonus points if two of three stays are in two different tiers of Best Western (Best Western, Best Western Plus (about 800 hotels), Best Western Premier (100+ hotels). Limit of one elite bonus per member.
• Earn an additional 6,500 bonus points if each of three stays paid with Best Western Rewards MasterCard. Limit of one credit card bonus per member.

Where to find Best Western Rewards promotion registration link

The competitive advantage of Choice Privileges is the number of hotels in remote locations where road travelers will find no other loyalty program hotels. My recent trek into the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California revealed small towns with options for Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels and Best Western where Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Courtyard had no presence.

Choice Privileges advertises this recurring promotion as “Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night”, but actually the member earns 8,000 points which are sufficient for a free hotel night at the two lowest tier reward levels of 6,000 and 8,000 points. Two thirds of Choice properties are in the 10,000 to 20,000 points categories.

There are about 1,500 hotels in the 6,100 member hotel chain franchise offering free nights at the 6,000 and 8,000 points level. Loyalty Traveler published a hotel reward category analysis of Choice Privileges on May 1.

This bonus offer is valid for stays from May 19 through August 11, 2011 and only for US and Canada residents. Choice Privileges General members and Gold elite members may earn the bonus up to four times for 32,000 points. Platinum and Diamond elite members may earn this bonus up to 10 times during the promotion period for 80,000 points.

Loyalty Traveler analysis:

Choice Privileges promotions are different from most hotel loyalty promotions in that the total points earned will be 8,000 points after two stays, regardless if your two hotel stays cost $140 or $770. Elite member bonuses are additional points earned to the promotion bonus points.

Example 1: Earning is based on $140 in hotel spend.

Assume one $80 stay at Clarion Hotel and one $60 stay at Comfort Inn = $140 hotel spend.

$140 earns 1,400 Choice Privileges base points. Member will receive 6,600 bonus points for 8,000 total points after two stays.

Example 2: Earning is based on $770 in hotel spend.

Assume one 6-night stay for $420 ($70/night) at MainStay Suites = 2,100 points ($420 x 5 points/$1)

Assume one 5-night stay for $350 ($70/night) at Quality Inn = 3,500 points ($350 x 10 points/$1).

Member earns 5,600 base points from these two stays and receives 2,400 bonus points to reach 8,000 total points for two qualifying stays.

Despite the member staying 11 nights in two stays and spending five times the hotel spend in the second earning example, the total points earned is the same 8,000 points as the member earns who stays two nights at two hotels for $140. This makes Choice Privileges promotions a good hit-and-run deal for the one-night stand Choice Privileges member.

Bottom line: Choice Privileges has the best value promotion for summer travel compared to Wyndham Rewards and Best Western Rewards. My road trips this summer will take me to several places where my only choices are Best Western, Choice and Wyndham or no loyalty program.  I view Choice Privileges as the most rewarding option for best bonus points promotion for this summer’s travel.

Choice Hotels – Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges free night promotion link.

Hotel Brands: Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Collection.

Hotel Reward Partners: Preferred Hotels Group, Barcelo Resorts 

Comfort Inn Monterey Bay

Promotion Terms & Conditions: 

Reservations must be made at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates and Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After a second qualifying stay with arrival between 5/19/11 and 8/11/11, you will be awarded enough bonus points to redeem at the 8,000 point Choice Privileges reward night level. For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, or MainStay Suites® hotels, a stay is defined as two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Collection® hotels, a stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs at any property included in the Choice Privileges program. Members that register for this promotion may earn up to four (4) free nights, Platinum and Diamond members that register for this promotion may earn up to ten (10) free nights, and members that do not register for this promotion may earn up to two (2) free nights. Allow 72 hours from check-out for points to post to your account. A free night at most Choice Privileges locations requires more than 8,000 points. You must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) or Canada to be eligible for this promotion. For program details, eligible rates, eligible countries and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges.com.

Related Loyalty Traveler post: 100% Bonus Miles for Choice points to United Mileage Plus through June 6.

2,500 Choice points = 1,000 UA miles.

I am developing a new interest for Choice Privileges. Why my interest in Choice Hotels?

Yesterday I located a spreadsheet created by FlyerTalk member “SC Flier” in May 2010. The spreadsheet is one year old now and I am just happy to finally have seen it.  SC Flier is a name I come across frequently on FlyerTalk with good value information and now I learn he has some great computer skills too.

I added country and state columns to allow an easy sort by point levels and geography. Several observations from these sorts give me a much clearer picture of how Choice Hotels compares with other major hotel loyalty programs.

Choice Privileges covers 11 hotel brands with seven hotel brands earning 10 points per $1 in hotel spend, and four budget brands and extended stay brands earning 5 points/$1.

• Ascend Collection
• Comfort Inn
• Comfort Suites
• Quality Inn & Suites
• Clarion
• Cambria Suites
• Sleep Inn
• EconoLodge (earn 5 points/$1)
• Rodeway Inn (earn 5 points/$1)
• Suburban Extended Stay (earn 5 points/$1)
• MainStay Suites Extended Stay (earn 5 points/$1)

Driving from Monterey to Las Vegas for Easter week also opened my eyes to to the fact that the 500 mile drive offers only one Starwood Hotel with Four Points Bakersfield and there are no Hyatt Hotels on this route. IHG, Marriott and Hilton options averaged around $100 or more per night while many of the towns along the way offered Choice Hotels options for under $60 per night.  

Reward Challenges with Choice Privileges

One difficulty with Choice Privileges is the lack of a master list for hotel reward tiers with a list of hotel properties in that tier.

Another anomaly with Choice Privileges is seasonal variation in reward cost.

For example, Choice Privileges Hotels currently show reward cost for April 16 to June 30, 2011 and July 1 to September 15, 2011. The cost of a free night can swing wildly in those two seasons.

Monterey, California EconoLodge is 8,000 points from April 16 to June 30, 2011 and then increases to 20,000 points for July 1-September 15, 2011. Clarion Collection Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand is 40,000 points from April 16 to June 30 and then drops to just 8,000 points from July 1 to September 15, 2011.

The third unique aspect of the Choice Privileges program is short booking windows for hotel rewards using points. Choice Privileges members with no elite status can only book reward nights for U.S. and Canada hotels within 30 days of stay. Hawaii and International hotels allow 60 days advance booking using points. Elite status is valuable for Choice Privileges members traveling U.S. and Canada and planning to use points for reward nights with extended booking windows for Gold elite to 50 days, Platinum elite to 75 days and Diamond elite to 100 days.

Unlikely this will become my primary program, but there is great utility in accumulating Choice Privileges points for locations where there are no Starwood or Hyatt hotels and the rates of Marriott, Hilton, and IHG are twice the cost of a Choice Hotels option.  

Some statistics based on the 2010 reward levels.

I have never seen a distribution of Choice Privileges reward tiers posted anywhere. Analyzing one year old 2010 reward levels in Choice Privileges is useful as a benchmark for what value in points the Choice Privileges hotels had in recent time and see how trends evolve in reward changes for 2011 and beyond.

The only general trend I noticed is many hotels in Canada appeared to increase in reward cost from 2010 to 2011. The Canadian dollar is worth about 6 cents more than the U.S. dollar right now (USD $1 = CAD 94 cents), so an increase in points is an expected adjustment.

Fortunately the rates have not increased across the board for international hotels.

SC Flier spreadsheet shows 5,236 hotels in Choice Portfolio from mid-2010. Here are some numbers derived from hotel sorts using mid-2010 data. I checked about 50 hotels for 2011 Q2 (April 16-June 30, 2011) reward rates and 2011-Q3 (July 1 – September 15, 2011) reward rates. I found mixed results, but most hotels were within 4,000 points of 2010 levels, and about evenly up and down. 

While the distribution of hotels across reward categories may be essentially similar between 2010 and 2011, individual hotel reward rates may be up, down or the same depending on local economic conditions. Check hotel properties individually for current Choice Privileges hotel reward rates. 

Choice Hotels in this analysis = 5,236 hotels worldwide.

• USA = 4,263 hotels in Choice Privileges (81.7% of worldwide total).
• International = 973 hotels in Choice Privileges (18.3% of worldwide total).  

Q2-2010 Choice Privileges reward levels: 

• 30% of hotels were 6,000 or 8,000 points.
• 36% of hotels were 10,000 to 12,000 points.
• 28% of hotels were 16,000 to 20,000 points.
• 6%  of hotels were 25,000 points, 30,000 points or 40,000 points.

Reward Tiers and Number of Properties based on 2010 Q2 (April 16 -June 30, 2010) and Q3 (July 1-September 15, 2010) point levels:  

Choice Privileges had over 1,500 hotels in the lowest tiers for 6,000 points or 8,000 points per night. This can be as little as $100 in spend to earn 8,000 points during Choice Privileges recurring promotion for 8,000 points after two stays. When Choice Privileges offers double points then these low tier rewards take just $300 to $400 in hotel stay spend to earn a free night at any of 1,500+ hotels. 

6,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 624 hotels (11.9%) and Q3-2010 = 471 hotels (9.0%).

• 6,000 Q2 and 6,000 Q3 = 420 hotels
• 6,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 176 hotels
• 6,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 4 hotels
• 6,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 3 hotels
• 6,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 1 hotel 

8,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 977 hotels (18.7%) and Q3-2010 = 1,187 hotels (22.7%). 

• 8,000 Q2 and 6,000 Q3 = 48 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 759 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 120 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 34 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 11 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 4 hotels
• 8,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 1 hotel 

10,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 968 hotels (18.5%) and Q3-2010 = 972 hotels (18.6%).

Earning a free night takes $1,000 in hotel spend at 10 base points per dollar for most brands except extended stay brands of MainStay and Suburban and budget brands EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn that earn 5 points/$1 in hotel spend. 

• 10,000 Q2 and 6,000 Q3 = 2 hotels
• 10,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 213 hotels
• 10,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 573 hotels
• 10,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 134 hotels
• 10,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 27 hotels
• 10,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 19 hotels

12,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 889 hotels (17.0%) and Q3-2010 = 821 hotels (15.7%).

$1,200 in hotel spend for free night or far less spend when taking advantage of promotion bonus points.

• 12,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 32 hotels
• 12,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 224 hotels
• 12,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 428 hotels
• 12,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 146 hotels
• 12,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 55 hotels
• 12,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 4 hotels

16,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 942 hotels (18.0%) and Q3-2010 = 787 hotels (15.0%).

$1,600 in hotel spend for a free night. This tier has some of the higher quality Choice Hotels properties in the U.S.

• 16,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 5 hotels
• 16,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 25 hotels
• 16,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 203 hotels
• 16,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 525 hotels
• 16,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 167 hotels
• 16,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 17 hotels

20,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 534 hotels (10.2%) and Q3-2010 = 640 hotels (12.2%).

Top tier hotels in U.S. cities and resort locations fall in the 20,000 points to 25,000 points range. These hotels require $2,000 to $2,500 in hotel spend or as little as $300 for an elite during an 8,000 points per two stays promotion that is not limited to one or two bonuses. 

• 20,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 3 hotels
• 20,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 5 hotels
• 20,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 15 hotels
• 20,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 72 hotels
• 20,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 377 hotels
• 20,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 62 hotels

25,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 228 hotels (4.4%) and Q3-2010 = 290 hotels (5.5%).

• 25,000 Q2 and 6,000 Q3 = 1 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 8,000 Q3 = 2 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 10,000 Q3 = 2 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 12,000 Q3 = 3 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 16,000 Q3 = 3 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 20,000 Q3 = 17 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 199 hotels
• 25,000 Q2 and 30,000 Q3 = 1 hotels

Most hotels 25,000 points and above are located in New York City and international countries. The spreadsheet by SC Flier shows many hotels in Italy at 40,000 points and these hotels were all 6,000 or 8,000 points for Q2 and Q3 reward nights in 2011. Australia and New Zealand comprise most hotels 30,000 points and more. Peak rates are only for select seasons. Many of the 40,000 points hotels in Australia and New Zealand drop to 8,000 points in July and August 2011. 

30,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2010 = 49 hotels (0.9%) and Q3-2010 = 41 hotels (0.8%). 

• 30,000 Q2 and 25,000 Q3 = 7 hotels
• 30,000 Q2 and 30,000 Q3 = 40 hotels
• 30,000 Q2 and 40,000 Q3 = 2 hotels 

40,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2011 = 24 hotels (0.5%) and Q3-2010 = 26 hotels (0.5%).

75,000 Points Reward Tier Q2-2011 = 1 hotel 

75,000 Q2-2011 and 8,000 Q3-2011 = 1 hotel (Clarion Collection Edgewater Palms, Paihia, New Zealand)

I spent a week in Paihia at Bay of Islands in New Zealand in August 2005 and I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I loved it. I didn’t stay at the Clarion Edgewater Palms, but at 8,000 points per night I’d give it a go.

Bay of Islands, New Zealand (outside Russell, near Paihia)

Choice Privileges spring promotion allows members to earn 8,000 points after two hotel stays between March 3 and May 4, 2011. This promotion also lets members redeem 8,000 points earned after two stays for a free $50 gas card through July 31, 2011. Normally a $50 gas card requires 16,000 Choice Privileges points.

Choice Hotels is currently at 11 hotel brands:

1. Comfort Inn
2. Comfort Suites
3. Quality Inn and Suites
4. Sleep Inn
5. Clarion
6. Cambria Suites
7. Ascend Collection
8. MainStay Suites
9. Suburban
10. EconoLodge
11. Rodeway Inn

There are several fine print details to this offer.

All Choice Hotels brands participate, but stays at EconoLodge and Rodeway Inn economy brands or MainStay Suites and Suburban extended stay brands only qualify for the two-stay 8,000 points with individual stays of two or more consecutive nights. This sort of makes sense since these brands earn points at 50% the rate ( 5 points/$1) of other Choice Hotels brands (10 points/$1).

• Members who do not register for this offer may earn the bonus only one (1) time for one $50 gas card.
• Members who register for this offer may earn the bonus two (2) times for two $50 gas cards.
• Choice Privileges Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond members may earn this bonus up to five (5) times for five $50 gas cards.

Loyalty Traveler analysis:

Choice Privileges promotions are different from most hotel loyalty promotions in that the total points earned will be 8,000 points after two stays, regardless if your two hotel stays cost $140 or $770.

Earning Example 1 is based on $140 in hotel spend.

 Assume one $80 stay at Clarion Hotel and one $60 stay at Comfort Inn = $140.

$140 earns 1,400 Choice Privileges base points. Member will receive 6,600 bonus points for 8,000 total points after two stays.

Earning example 2 is based on $770 in hotel spend.

Assume one $420 6-night stay ($70/night) at MainStay Suites = 2,100 points ($420 x 5 points/$1)

Assume one 5-night stay for $350 at Quality Inn ($70/night) = 3,500 points ($350 x 10 points/$1).

Member earns 5,600 base points from these two stays and receives 2,400 bonus points to reach 8,000 total points for two qualifying stays.

Despite the member staying 11 nights in two stays and spending five times the hotel spend in the second earning example, the total points earned is the same 8,000 points as the member earns who stays two nights at two hotels for $140. This makes Choice Privileges promotions a good hit-and-run deal for the not-so-loyal Choice Privileges member.

Keep the Points or Redeem for Gas Cards

Choice Privileges members may either keep the points or redeem 8,000 points for a $50 gas card. This promotion offers $50 gas cards for half the points. The $50 gas card normally requires 16,000 points. The discounted gas cards are available until July 31, 2011 to members who earned points through this promotion.

You are not required to redeem your points for gas cards. Hotel rewards start at 6,000 points and the Choice Privileges website actually provides a list of hotels at 8,000 points or less. (Is this a new website feature? I do not recall seeing it before.)

You may find better redemption value by using 8,000 points for a free hotel night rather than a $50 gas card.

Choice Gas Card Promotion Registration link.

Loyalty Traveler surveys world’s Top 20 Hotel Brands for loyalty program affiliation and hotel benefits.

The hotel industry generally ranks the world’s biggest hotel brands by different criteria than Loyalty Traveler. The hotel industry ranks hotel brands by the total number of rooms worldwide. That is the hotelier’s viewpoint since more rooms creates the potential for more money.

My viewpoint as a traveler is whether I will be able to find a hotel in a particular hotel brand in the location I am visiting.  I generally only need one or two rooms for my hotel stay. As a traveler I care less about whether a hotel has 100 rooms or 1,000 rooms and more about the number of hotels in my preferred brand for geographic coverage.

Therefore, Loyalty Traveler ranks hotel brand size by the number of hotels rather than the number of rooms. This results in a different hotel brand ranking order than will be found for most hotel chain size surveys.

When it comes to the number of hotels in a hotel brand you can forget about your upscale Hyatt’s and Hilton’s and Marriott’s being the leaders. There are no upscale market segment brands in the top 20 global hotel brands when ranked by number of hotels.

Marriott Hotels (550 hotels) and Hilton Hotels (540 hotels) just miss the Top 20 cut coming in at #21 and #22 respectively with the distinction of being the highest ranking upscale brands worldwide.

The Benefits of Economy and Mid-scale Hotels

Free internet and complimentary breakfast are the two most desired benefits for upscale hotel travelers. In recent years there has been a move among loyalty programs to add these benefits for elite members of Marriott Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Starwood Preferred Guest and Hyatt Gold Passport.

Travel in the economy hotel market segment pretty much guarantees you will have access to free internet and most of the top brands also offer a free breakfast as a benefit for all hotel guests. Downsizing your hotel brand may upsize your savings in more ways than room rate.

Family-Friendly Hotel Brands  

One of the biggest value benefits of the major economy/mid-scale hotel brands is a policy at six of the Top 20 Hotel Brands to let kids stay free in the room with an adult family member. This policy is extended to a high age limit of 19 years old for Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express which offers some interesting possibilities for taking Mom, Dad or Uncle Bob on spring break.

Children Stay Free Policies can be big savings for big families. Bring the sleeping bags.

Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express = Children 19 and under stay free in same room with adult guest.

La Quinta Inn = Children 18 and under stay free in same room with adult guest.

Super 8 = Children 17 and under stay free in same room with adult guest.

Motel 6 = Children 17 and under stay free in same room with adult guest.

Premier Inn (U.K.) = Children 15 and under stay free.

“Honey, I Just Fed the Kids!”

Some hotel brands even offer free restaurant meals to kids when an adult orders off the regular menu. The age limit is a bit lower than 19 for this benefit.

Holiday Inn (U.S. and Canada only) – ‘Kids Eat Free’ policy allows up to four children age 12 and under to eat free from kids menu any time of day when adult guest pays for meal from regular menu.

Premier Inn (U.K.) – free breakfast for up to two children (15 or under).

Loyalty traveler note on hotel numbers and Choice International hotel brands count:

The source of hotel numbers is primarily hotel brand website checks February 8-10, 2011 and data from the most recent financial reports. Choice Privileges only reported domestic properties in its Sep 30, 2010 financial statement. There were 1,140 international Choice Hotels Sep 30, 2010. This is the only detail on international franchised Choice Hotels properties I located without making a hand count by country.

My website checks indicate these 1,140 international hotels are primarily Comfort Inn & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites properties with about 150 Clarion and a handful of EconoLodge and Sleep Inn properties. Australia and New Zealand have more than 200 Choice Hotels.

Choice Hotels total hotel numbers for Days Inn and Quality Inn are from TopHotelChains.com Sep 2010. Hotel numbers for U.S. properties are taken from Choice International financial statements for Sep 30, 2010.

Loyalty Traveler Survey of the Top 20 Hotel Brands in the World

Loyalty Traveler Top 20 Hotel Brands by Number of Hotels Feb 11, 2011

Tip: Click on the spreadsheet picture to open in a new window and see in full size. (You may need to click on picture again in new window to magnify size).

Please add a comment if there are other noteworthy features and benefits for these 20 brands; particularly some first-hand knowledge of Mercure and Ibis would be appreciated for these non-U.S. hotel brands.

Choice Privileges has a new member referral offer for 500 points. This deal rewards both the existing Choice Privileges member who makes the referral and the new member who receives 500 bonus points after first hotel stay. That is equivalent to the bonus points for $50 in hotel spend.

I’ll be your referrer, if you want a referral.

If you would like a Choice Privileges referral and 500 bonus points after your first stay, then email me at ricgarridolt@gmail.com and include only your first name.

All I need for this Choice Privileges Refer-a-Friend is your email and first name to include in the form shown below.

Choice Privileges refer-a-friend form

I pledge not to use your email for any other purpose than filling out this form. My ricgarridolt@gmail.com email account is only used for Loyalty Traveler promotions and then I delete all the emails after the promotion ends. Do not use this email for contacting me for any other purpose. You will find my contact email on this page.

Choice Privileges Overview 

When your travel budget does not fit the price segment of Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn, Hilton Hampton Inn or IHG Holiday Inn Express, then Choice Privileges has a loyalty program with good rewards benefits at a lower price point. And if price is your main factor you should look right past Starwood and Hyatt Hotels with limited low cost hotels for weekday business travel.

One of my favorite features of Choice Privileges is its partner awards with Preferred Hotels Group and Barcelo Resorts. These can be high value reward stays at relatively low cost through Choice Privileges. A recently ended promotion offered 50% off reward nights using Choice Privileges points for Preferred Hotels Group stays. These upper-upscale and luxury hotels around the world are sometimes an incredible Choice Privileges points bargain.

Barcelo Resorts offers all-inclusive Mexico and Caribbean hotel stays at relatively few points for what you get. Dreams of an all-you-can-eat-and-drink beach vacation may fill your head as you fall asleep at the next Comfort Inn.

That is what I am dreaming as I write this post and think of the possibility of a couple hundred referrals. Although I must admit that 500 points incentive is not as desirable as last year’s offer on Loyalty Traveler for instant SPG Gold promotion with my referral. I still receive a request every week for a referral 11 months after that SPG deal ended.

Choice Privileges hotel brands with number of hotels and average daily rate

(Source: Choice Hotels 10Q Sep 30, 2010)

Choice Hotels brands and average room rates

Travelers will stay for less at Choice Hotels with an overall chain average hotel rate of $74.79. That is only 2 cents more than the ADR from September 2009.

Choice Privileges is currently running a triple points promotion. Here is data from my Loyalty Traveler blog Current Promotions page. Another great feature of Choice Privileges is elite stay credit for award stays. Choice Privileges and Hilton HHonors are the only two loyalty programs for earning elite credit when spending points for free nights.

Choice Hotels – Choice Privileges

Hotel Brands: Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Collection.

Hotel Reward Partners: Preferred Hotels Group, Barcelo Resorts  

* Jan 6 – March 2, 2011: Choice Hotels Triple Points beginning with second stay for online bookings or phone direct bookings at 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). Offer only eligible for USA members. Platinum and Diamond elite members earn an additional 500 bonus points per stay. General and Gold elite members earn double points for stays booked through third-party sites. Registration required.

Loyalty Traveler post 1-4-11.  

* Choice Privileges Program Changes for Elite Members effective January 1, 2011:

These are truly program enhancements for elites. 

Platinum elite qualification = 20 nights in a calendar year (formerly 25 nights).

Diamond elite bonus increased to 50% base points (formerly 40%).

        Reward night booking window extended for Choice Privileges elite members:

• Gold = 50 days (formerly 40 days)
• Platinum = 75 days (formerly 60 days)
• Diamond = 100 days (formerly 90 days) 

* Dec 1, 2010 – February 28, 2011: Choice Privileges offers Air Berlin TopBonus Double Miles

Preferred Hotels Group Reward Nights up to 50% off. Upper-upscale, luxury and boutique hotel room nights 20,000 to 30,000 points. Book between November 3, 2010 and January 19, 2011. (5-key promotion). This offer has ended, but this seems like a nearly annual promotion at some point during the year.

Related Post: Choice Hotels for Economy Rates, Choice Privileges for Luxury Hotels (July 14, 2009)

Choice Privileges offers triple points beginning with the second stay between January 6 and March 2, 2011. There is an additional 500 points per stay bonus beginning with second stay for Choice Privileges Platinum and Diamond members who register here.

Choice Privileges calls this their “spring” offer. Choice Hotels must be working off the global warming calendar if spring is now considered January and February in the USA?

By the way this offer is only valid for members with a USA address.

Eligible Dates: Jan 6, 2011 – March 2, 2011

Book at ChoiceHotels.com or by phone at 800-4CHOICE and earn triple points beginning with second stay.

Choice Privileges Platinum and Diamond members earn an additional 500 points per stay, beginning with second stay. Registration required.

The unique aspect of this offer is the ability for Choice Privileges general members and Gold Elite to earn double points for stays booked through other channels like Expedia, Travelocity and such.

I find it a curious target group for general members and gold elite, but not including Choice Privileges Platinum and Diamond elite members for the third-party booking bonus. Registration is required before your stay to earn double points with third-party bookings.

Choice Privileges Triple Points 2011-Q1 "Spring" Promotion

Most Choice Privileges hotel brands earn 10 points per dollar. Triple points is 30 points per dollar at these brands:

• Comfort Inn
• Comfort Suites
• Quality Inn
• Sleep Inn
• Clarion
• Cambria Suites
• Ascend Collection

5 points per dollar are earned for stays at these brands:

• MainStay Suites
• Suburban
• EconoLodge
• Rodeway Inn

Triple points is 15 points/$1 at these four hotel brands.

I will spare readers a base points equivalent value analysis for this offer. The redemption opportunity to remember with Choice Privileges is partner hotel rewards for Preferred Hotels Group and Barcelo Resort stays.

Earn 5,000 Choice Privileges bonus points for every two hotel stays worldwide at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, Ascend Collection with arrival date August 26 through November 3, 2010.

*Registration is limited to Choice Privileges members who maintain an address in Europe.

5,000 Choice Privileges bonus points for two stays

August 26 – November 3, 2010

Eligible Hotel Brands worldwide

• Comfort Inn
• Comfort Suites
• Quality
• Sleep Inn
• Clarion
• Cambria Suites
• Ascend Collection

Promotion registration is restricted to European residents.

*Residents of North America have a promotion for 8,000 points every two stays Aug 26 – Nov 3, 2010)

Who is the Madman across the Water?

While it may appear Europeans are getting a lesser deal than Americans, there also appears to be a difference in the way the points are added to the account with these two promotions.

European version of Choice Privileges promotion states 5,000 bonus points after two stays.

(Points are earned in dollars even for European members.)

Two stays for $200 total earns 2,000 base points + 5,000 bonus points for 7,000 points.

Europe Promotion: $100 per stay x 2 stays = $200 (Points are earned in dollar equivalents even for European members according to the website.)

• 2,000 base points
• 5,000 bonus points (promotion for two stays)
• 7,000 points total points for two stays as Europe member

The Americas version for 8,000 points is actually the difference between base points earned from two actual stays and 8,000 points.

U.S.A. Promotion: $100 per stay x 2 stays = $200

• 2,000 base points
• 6,000 bonus points  [8,000 points – base points earned] = promotion bonus points.
• 8,000 total points for two stays as U.S. member

But watch what happens if you have two stays of 3 nights at US$90 or equivalent per night

Europe Promotion: $130 per night x 3 nights x 2 stays = $780

• 7,800 base points
• 5,000 bonus points (promotion for two stays)
• 12,800 points total points for two stays as Europe member

USA Promotion: $130 per night x 3 nights x 2 stays = $780

• 7,800 base points
• 200 bonus points   [8,000 points – base points earned] = promotion bonus points.
• 8,000 points total points for two stays as U.S. member

Choice Privileges members earn points for hotel stays at more than 5,500+ hotels all over the world – with the exception of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. Nordic Choice Club is a separate hotel loyalty program for more than 140 hotels in the Clarion, Comfort Inn and Quality Inn brands and some other hotels in this region. Membership is free and open to U.S. members.

There is a difference in the hotel award levels for Choice Privileges redemptions and Nordic Choice Club redemptions. Some hotels costing 16,000 points per night with Choice Privileges are only 10,000 points per night with Nordic Choice Club in summer season and weekend nights.

Since it is possible to earn Nordic Choice Club 750 points on stays outside Scandinavia, there may be potential to leverage stays to earn Nordic Choice Club points for stays in the U.S. and get a better redemption value for free nights using points in Scandinavia than you will find with Choice Privileges.

Nordic Choice Club has four membership levels: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

• Blue = free membership
• Silver elite = 10 nights in membership year
• Gold elite = 35 nights in membership year
• Platinum elite = 60 nights in membership year
• Nordic Choice Club membership year is 12 months from enrollment date and is not based on the calendar year.

Benefits: Membership includes complimentary restaurant vouchers based on elite level. Rate discounts, liberal cancellation policies, late checkout, additional bonus point options and complimentary upgrades are other benefits of elite membership. Click on the link above to see membership benefits for different elite levels.

Earning Points:

• Members receive 1 point per krone for room rate.
• Norway and Denmark hotels earn 1 point per krone for restaurant charges, up to 4,000 points per stay.
• Members earn 750 points for Choice Hotel stays outside Scandinavia and Baltic region.
• Points expire 36 months after earned.

Redeeming Points:

• 10,000 points for a weekend night (Fri or Sat) at Comfort, Quality, or Clarion in Scandinavia, Estonia or Lithuania.
• 20,000 points for a weekday night (Sun-Thu) at Comfort, Quality, or Clarion in Scandinavia, Estonia or Lithuania, except from June 24-Aug 15 when rates drop to 10,000 points per night.
• 10,000 points for a weekday night (Sun-Thu) at a Quality Resort in Scandinavia, Estonia or Lithuania, except from June 24-Aug 15 when rates drop to 10,000 points per night.
• 20,000 points for a weekend night (Fri or Sat) at a Quality Resort in Scandinavia, Estonia or Lithuania.
• Summer discount rates will likely have slightly different dates for 2011 to those shown above .
• Points may be redeemed for “Be My Guest” room night vouchers at same rate for others.

While your Choice Privileges points may get you into a Scandinavian Choice hotel for free, visitors to Scandinavia and the Baltic may also find Nordic Choice Club a good supplementary program for earning and burning hotel loyalty points when traveling in this region.

Nordic Choice Club has over 140 hotel properties in Scandinavia and Baltic region

Midscale Limited Service is the largest segment of the major chain hotel market. The workhorse brands of Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn are representative of the “midscale without food and beverage” hotel segment with rooms that typically offer free internet and a basic continental breakfast of rolls, coffee, juice, and boxed cereals. Rates are typically from $60 to $100 per night; although you will find rates can go a bit higher in some locations. 

This is the segment of hotels where loyalty points can be high value redemptions. There are a couple of large chains in this hotel market segment like La Quinta, AmericInn, and Drury that only have one big midscale limited service hotel brand. I need to create some hotel loyalty program reviews for these chains.

Source: JD Power 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study press release

JD Power Mid-Scale Limited Service Hotel Market Segment Report

Some time has passed since I stayed in a midscale limited service hotel. I really do not make many trips where I can’t find a higher market segment hotel at a good price. Two years ago when traveling up the west coast from California to Vancouver, British Columbia, I was able to break up my Starwood Hotel stays separated by 800 miles or highway between San Francisco and Portland with Interstate 5 freeway layovers at Holiday Inn Express hotels in Yreka, California and Ashland, Oregon for just 5,000 points per night on PointBreaks Awards. I purchased 10,000 points from Priority Club for $125. The award nights cut the $125 per night rate at these two hotels by half. Keep in mind Priority Club PointBreaks awards when taking a trip to some out of the way places and seeking a hotel night for under $65. Holiday Inn Express is the most widespread midscale limited service brand in the U.S. 

The highest JD Power consumer rating of five circles only goes to one Midscale Limited Service brand – Drury Inn & Suites. Here is a hotel brand I am not familiar with at all since the 120 Drury Hotels do not extend to the west coast. The last time I did a roadtrip through middle America was 1996. Next time I drive I-70 across Kansas and Missouri I’ll be on the lookout for a Drury Hotel or perhaps on my trip to Chicago in October I will find a Drury Hotel. Drury Gold Key Club is the hotel loyalty program. I will need to look into this program to determine the value of points.

Drury Hotels map link:

Mid-Scale Limited Service Hotel Brands Ordered by Number of North America Hotels

Holiday Inn Express (IHG Priority Club) = 1,874 hotels in the Americas (June 30, 2010); 2,000+ hotels globally. Holiday Inn Express Directory. This brand grows at the rate of a new opening every one or two days with over 400 more HI Express hotels currently in the Americas growth pipeline. Holiday Inn Express is positioned to outgrow Best Western in the USA as the largest domestic hotel brand over the next couple of years.

Hampton Inn (Hilton HHonors) = about 1,700 hotels.  Hampton Inn locations.

Comfort Inn (Choice Privileges) = 1,446 domestic hotels (June 30, 2010) ; 2,000+ hotels globally. Comfort Inn locations.

La Quinta (La Quinta Returns) = 750+hotels in U.S. and Mexico. La Quinta Returns has free nights in six tier levels of hotels from 6,000 to 24,000 points. La Quinta Hotel Directory.

Fairfield Inn (Marriott Rewards) = 641 hotels. Fairfield Inn locations downloadable directory. 

Comfort Suites (Choice Privileges) = 621 hotels domestic (June 30, 2010). Comfort Suites Hotel Directory.

Country Inn & Suites (Carlson Hotels Goldpoints Plus) = 500+ hotels; almost all in North America. Country Inn & Suites Directory (August 2010 pdf)

Sleep Inn (Choice Privileges) = 392 hotels. Choice Hotel Directory.

Springhill Suites (Marriott Rewards) = 267 hotels (June 30, 2010). SpringHill Suites locations. 

Baymont Inn & Suites (Wyndham Rewards) = 244 Hotels in U.S. and Canada. Baymont Inn locations. 

AmericInn (AmericInn Easy Rewards) = 215 hotels in 22 states. This is another brand primarily located in middle America. Hotel locations.

 Source: http://www.americinn.com/Home

Wingate (Wyndham Rewards) = 150 hotels.  Hotel locations.

Drury Inn (Drury Gold Key Club) around 120 hotels. Great brand for Kansas travel. Drury Inn & Suites locations.

Ramada Limited ( Wyndham Rewards).  I was unable to locate the number of properties between Ramada Limited and Ramada full service (restaurant) among the 920 properties in 47 countries. Most Ramada Hotels (about 800) are in the U.S.

Over the next month I will try to develop some overview posts for La Quinta, AmericInn and Drury Hotels loyalty programs.

Links to Related Loyalty Traveler commentary for different hotel market segments covered in JD Power 2010 North America Hotel Satisfaction Index:

Overview JD Power 2010 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study (Aug 10)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Luxury Hotel Satisfaction Index (Aug 11)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Upscale Hotel Satisfaction Index (Aug 11)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Midscale Full Service Hotel Satisfaction Index (Aug 13)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Economy/Budget Hotel Satisfaction ratings (Aug 16)

Comments on JD Power 2010 Extended Stay Hotel Satisfaction Index (Aug 17)