We've been hearing for over a year that Cendant was going to combine all of their brands' mini programs into one all-inclusive freguent guest rewards program. It looks like they are finally about ready to roll it out. Excerpt follows:

At last there's a rewards program that offers the flexibility you want and the value you deserve�TripRewards. Right now you can start earning points at any Wingate Inn� hotel. By the end of October 2003, you'll be able to use your TripRewards card at all Howard Johnson� hotels. Starting in early December 2003, you'll also be able to earn and redeem points at all AmeriHost Inn�, Days Inn� , Knights Inn�, Ramada�, Super 8�, Villager, and participating Travelodge� hotels. You also have the option to earn airline miles through Continental OnePass� and Delta SkyMiles� programs or Amtrak Guest Rewards� points for your hotel stays. TripRewards points can add up quickly and can be redeemed for free hotel stays, airline tickets, shopping and dining certificates, entertainment and more.

At first glance it looks rather similar to the programs offered by Choice or BW, but I haven't looked close yet. I Didn't see any elite levels, but it may be of use to those of us who spend a lot of time in smaller markets. You can find more info at www.triprewards.com.

It's been a looong time since I stayed at a lot of these brands. Has anyone had experience with them lately? I'd be curious as to what business travelers thought of them.

Thanks,
KC

Hm, 2 airline/railway miles per dollar spent on qualifying room rates? At these hotel chains, room rates are likely to be $50ish to $75ish maybe, so that's 100 to 150 miles per 1-night stay (and only if you collect with one of the just three programs they partner with). Both Choice and BW give you 250 miles per stay. So this would be much poorer earning than Choice or BW unless your stays are multi-night.

And, in fact, unless you're going to stay with the very occasionally, earning directly to airline miles isn't as good as converting. $800 of room stays will give you 8000 points, which you can convert to 3200 miles. (That's the minimum conversion amount.) But going directly to miles, you'd only get 1600 miles for that same $800! Sounds like they want to make sure you're a frequent guest and not just an occasional one!

(It's only if you convert like this that the mileage comes out around what you'd get at Choice or BW. But that's assuming that Cendant runs as many double point promos as BW and especially Choice do.)

Should the Triprewards hotels be separated from Other Hotel Programs and have a separate forum as the program is unveiled?

Only if there's going to be much more than one message a week regarding it.

Why should Triprewards get it when even bigger chain Best Western or almost as big chain Choice (Comfort/Quality/Sleep/Econo/etc) are both stuck here in Other Hotel Programs because people discuss them fairly infrequently?