Choice Hotels Europe and Budget Rent a Car International announced today an exclusive reciprocal pan-European strategic alliance.  Budget will become the official authorized supplier of car rental services for Choice`s guests, offering a 15% discount on standard daily rental rates for any car in its WorldClass Fleet in over 120 countries and 2,900 locations.  Choice Hotels in turn will provide Budget customers with a 15% discount on accommodation at over 230 Comfort, Quality and Clarion hotels and inns across Europe and a 10% discount at over 99 hotels in Scandinavia.

“The partnership has evolved out of a long-standing and successful relationship between our two organizations in France, where Choice is the only hotel partner in Budget`s domestic Budget Max loyalty program.  We want to build on this at a pan-European level to offer added-value opportunities for our respective customers,” says Roeland Moens, vice president of Budget International.

“There is a natural alliance between our two organizations: we have a similar outlook on the importance of branding and together believe that we can enhance our respective methods of distribution.  By recognizing our respective customers` requirements, we can provide an on-going program of added-value offers,” says Vicky La Trobe, marketing services director, Choice Hotels Europe.

During an initial three-month trial period in the UK and Germany, Choice reservation agents will be given incentives to link callers via an automatic switch link straight through to Budget`s own central reservations office.  Budget reservation agents will offer callers a 15% discount on advance bookings with Choice Hotels, quoting a booking code and telephone number.  After the trial period, Budget hopes to introduce a similar switch mechanism into Choice`s reservations office.

Members of Choice`s European loyalty program, Choice Club, will be entitled to a 20% discount, as well as an introductory offer of an upgrade.  Dual-branded literature in English, German and French will be racked in all hotels and in-car by Budget, as well as at key rental locations.

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