Cendant offers best rate or free program

Cendant Corporation’s Hotel Group said on 1 May it will start offering a “Best Rate or It’s Free” program, providing customers their first night free if they do not get lower rates on its brand web sites and toll-free numbers. The guarantee is aimed at instilling consumer confidence by providing rate parity across Cendant’s brand web sites and voice channels, said Peter Strebel, Hotel Group senior vice president. Cendant properties include Days Inn, Super 8, Ramada, Travelodge, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Villager, Wingate Inn and Ameri-Host. Cendant Corporation’s Hotel Group franchises 6,375 hotels. Its properties sell nearly one out of every four economy and mid-priced room nights in the US. –Report by David Wilkening–