I don't know if this belongs here but...

Soon, my girlfriend and I will be driving across the country to explore the US. So we'll be needing to stay a LOT in hotels at the Days Inn/Comfort Inn/Hampton Inn sort of level. I assume it is the best to focus on what chain?

So would would be the best chain? Do any have any particularly good airline linkups?

I am a Gold VIP in Hilton, but that doesn't get you much in Hampton Inns.