OK, let's state the obvious here: HIX is not a budget hotel. At the most basic level, they're HIs with no restaurant and free breakfast. Since many are newer properties than HIs, the rooms tend to be better. This is certainly reflected in the price: it's been years since I've stayed at an HIX in the US with average rates below $100. $125-150 is far more common, and often full-service HIs are cheaper.

I am not a frequent IC guest; most of my stays are in HI/HIX with the odd CP thrown in if I can get a decent rate. But I do like to take short weekend trips out of town (I live in the Pacific Northwest) and although I would prefer to stay with ICHG, I hesitate to make reservations at HIXes charging well over $100/night.

At least in my case, I'd find it beneficial to have a bare-bones hotel I could earn PC points at. Although I appreciate every brand in the ICHG chain, if I'm going to check-in at 10PM and get up at 0600 to go hiking, I don't care about wi-fi, indoor pools or free microwaved scrambled eggs - I just want a low rate, since I'm pretty much paying for a bed and shower.

I personally think ICHG could put together a budget brand and find a market for it. Hotels are very expensive these days and people paying $4.25/gal on a road trip don't want to stop in at an HIX and be asked for $135. Although I generally don't trust budget hotels, I think a brand operated to ICHG's standards could be successful.

Has anyone else considered this? Or would a budget brand lower ICHG's standards?