Choice Privileges - Choice Hotels Special Rate ID? (going Philadelphia-Toronto)

1. Does anyone know the best publicly available (no membresgip card required, or membership can be obtained for free) "Special Rate ID"?
The best I could find
http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/pagebank/?id=5098
I'm from Canada, so can't sign up for any US credit cards.

2. I'll be going from Philadelphia to Toronto on Sunday night in August and we (4 people, need 2 rooms) would like to get the cheapest clean rooms (but not the per-hour type of hotel) just to sleep and go on our way in the morning. Any suggestions? I can get 3* in Buffalo, NY for $30+taxes and fee on Priceline, but would prefere the room somewhere in between Philadelphia and Buffalo. Priceline doesn't seem to have anything <$90 for 2 rooms with taxes and fees in except for one hotel in Rochester (which I might end up getting or will spend a bit more). Any suggestions?

If this is incorrect forum, please please move the thread.
Thanks in advance for help.

Check this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=694464).

In it is mentioned a "special organization" rate that is freely usable. Also check out AAA/CAA, AARP, 50+, etc rates.

If you're going from Toronto to Philly, I assume you'll cross the border at Buffalo, and since it's August you might want to wend your way down to Route 17 and head east.

There's a fairly decent Choice property in Corning, NY, as well as a Fairfield Inn. Corning would be about half way to Philly from Toronto, and besides Corning is a nice little town to spend a few hours in with the glass works, the museum, the "old town" shoppes and so on. And the breakfast at the FI is a killer - omelets, pastries, and they even have a pool. I've never stayed at the Quality Inn in Corning, but I've done a few further on down the line towards Binghamton.

Anyhow, that's my recommendation -- take it for what it's worth, eh? And welcome to Flyertalk. :)

Check this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=694464).

In it is mentioned a "special organization" rate that is freely usable. Also check out AAA/CAA, AARP, 50+, etc rates.

If you're going from Toronto to Philly, I assume you'll cross the border at Buffalo, and since it's August you might want to wend your way down to Route 17 and head east.

There's a fairly decent Choice property in Corning, NY, as well as a Fairfield Inn. Corning would be about half way to Philly from Toronto, and besides Corning is a nice little town to spend a few hours in with the glass works, the museum, the "old town" shoppes and so on. And the breakfast at the FI is a killer - omelets, pastries, and they even have a pool. I've never stayed at the Quality Inn in Corning, but I've done a few further on down the line towards Binghamton.

Anyhow, that's my recommendation -- take it for what it's worth, eh? And welcome to Flyertalk. :)

Thanks :)

I found CHL code to work better than AAA and 50+ codes (I think it's 15% vs. 10%, at least with the properties I tried).
We'll be going in opposite direction, and I've gone through priceline with small town including Corning as well, I think some of the places didn't post the Name-Your-Own Price rates yet for the day that I want.

Use this significant organizations rate code(00800532) to get 20% of Choice hotels.This code is free online at www.smarterliving.com . Make sure you click on the check rates to see the discount.Good luck

Use this significant organizations rate code(00800532) to get 20% of Choice hotels.This code is free online at www.smarterliving.com . Make sure you click on the check rates to see the discount.Good luck


Can I assume you still get Choice Priveleges points when booking with a "significant organizations rate code"??

To my knowledge, yes...but, be prepared to show an actual Significant Organization membership card, just in case (like AARP, or whatever). Some I've stayed in never asked for anything; others, wanted it up front. It also occurred to me that I'm saving $, but losing points???!!
I haven't done the math yet...BigLar, you're the 'go to' guy on this...if I save $10/night, and lose x15times the points (using my Choice credit card) am I really doing myself any favors? Room: $89.10= 50+ rate (10%); $79.20 Sig. Org Rate)... on the surface, it's not a big difference if you only stay a few times a year...but 50 or 60 times a year..(no way could I do that...but there's those that do)...what's the 'payoff'/'penalty' for doing the SOS vs. lowest rate available for yourself??

but, be prepared to show an actual Significant Organization membership card, just in case (like AARP, or whatever). Some I've stayed in never asked for anything; others, wanted it up front.

What membership proof is there for www.smarterliving.com?!?!

Well, it was recommended on that particular thread (where the link was posted) to take a copy of the webpage with you. I think I actually 'signed up' at Smarterliving (I get emails); so I'm a 'member', and that would probably suffice. A friend used her Bar Association card (Legal, not liquid).

Frankly, i've never been asked for any sort of ID no matter what rate I use. Sometimes the AAA rate is better, sometimes AARP, sometimes 60+, and my favorite, gov/mil.

Nobody ever asks.

The Significant Organization is not necessarily the lowest (excl gover/mil).

I just booked a backup at the lone Comfort Inn at San Juan, Peurto Rico for a Nov stay (took advantage of AA $39+ tax one-way sale FLL/SJU with triple miles bonus). Hotel is at 10K level for reward night.

The SOS rate is 15 bucks higher than the SSV rate, or 5 bucks higher than the AAA rate.

That's why we all 'shop' for those rates...it never ceases to amaze me that a person can look at a property and get 3 or 4 different rates for the same room with different codes, and another property will have 1 or 2 rates regardless of what code you put in- I know, location, location, location. (I envy your $39 trip...oh to live near civilization)...