AAA and its counterpart, the Canadian
Automobile Association, have decided to extend through their
Preferred Lodging Partner agreement with Best Western hotels
through 2010.
Under terms of
the preferred agreement, Best Western will have more extensive
usage rights to the AAA/CAA brand and logo in its related
advertising/promotional activities.
Also, Best
Western and AAA/CAA will jointly market such AAA/CAA programs as
Approved Lodging, Official Appointment, TourBook and "Show Your
Card & Save."
The preferred
relationship began in 2005 when Best Western introduced the AAA/CAA
Preferred Gold Crown Club International program, which offers
members elite benefits and privileges as well as promotional offers
throughout the year.
"This new program
represents a much deeper partnership with Best Western going
forward," said Sandi Hughes, vice president, travel services for
AAA, in a statement. "Our goal is to provide AAA/CAA members with
reliable information about quality accommodations at a good value
and Best Western really embodies that."
Dorothy Dowling,
senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western
International,noted "With many of our hotels located in traditional
drive-to markets, Best Western has always been committed to
bringing exceptional value and unmatched service to AAA and CAA
members," said .
According to
AAA/CAA, their 50 million members annually spend at least $38
billion on lodging, which accounts for 36% of all lodging room
nights in the U.S.
To contact the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail
to Michael Milligan at [email protected].