A current promotion offers triple Rapid Rewards credit for stays at any Econo Lodge or Rodeway Inn hotel when paying qualifying rates. The insert I received from Southwest and the Choice Hotels website both state "Rapid Rewards membership number must be provided at check-in to receive triple credit (1.5 credits instead of the standard 0.5 credits). A few weeks ago, I took a trip to the Gulf Coast and stayed at several different Econo Lodges at qualifying rates, specifically for the Rapid Rewards credit.

An Econo Lodge in Alabama had a big banner on their canopy advertising triple Southwest Rapid Rewards credits, had a big Southwest Rapid Rewards sticker on the lobby door, and had a triple Rapid Rewards stand-up folder on the check-in desk. Upon checking in, I gave the desk clerk my RR card and told him I wanted triple Southwest credit. He answered, "I don't need it, I give you stamps." I told him I didn't want Easy Choice stamps, I wanted Southwest Rapid Rewards credit instead. He proceeded to show me the Easy Choice stamp booklet, and told me when I fill it up I send it in to Choice and they will give me credit. I insisted he take my RR number, he said he would put it in the remarks field but didn't know what good that would do. I have a feeling he was right about that.

At an Econo Lodge in Mississippi, I presented my RR card at check in; the clerk would not write down the number and suggested I show the clerk my card at check out in the morning. I had previously stayed at this Econo Lodge during the spring promotion; same story about showing the clerk my RR number upon checkout; it took 5 calls to Choice, making copies of my folio, faxing it to Choice before the credits were granted.

At another Econo Lodge in Louisiana, the clerk looked at me like I was crazy when I showed her my RR card and requested triple credits. Since she had no clue, I showed her the insert I received from Southwest for triple RR credits and explained to her this was an alternative to receiving Easy Choice stamps. Her answer? "we don't give stamps either."

Needless to say, my success rate trying to get triple RR credit from Econo Lodges without having to follow up is 0 %. Apparently, Choice and Southwest are actively promoting triple miles; unfortunately, Choice forgot to train front-line personnel or their managers. Also, it seems Econo Lodge has no automated system to track and post RR credits.

Anybody else having problems getting triple RR credits from Econo Lodge?