DALLAS (Jan. 14, 2003) - The La Quinta Corporation announces the launch of a new partnership with Southwest Airlines, allowing members of La Quinta’s redesigned guest loyalty program, La Quinta Returns, more travel alternatives and award redemption options.

As part of the new partnership, La Quinta Returns members who are also members of Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program can elect to receive Returns points or 0.5 Rapid Rewards credit for their stay at La Quinta’s more than 350 hotels nationwide. Additionally, La Quinta Returns members may also redeem 5,000 Returns points for 2.0 Rapid Rewards credits.

“With more than 20,000 new members added each month, La Quinta Returns has been extremely well-received,” said Francis W. “Butch” Cash, president and chief executive officer of La Quinta Corporation. “Southwest Airlines’ reputation for providing quality service and customer satisfaction, as well as their comparable market concentration, make them an ideal and compatible addition to our program.”

After conducting extensive research, La Quinta re-launched La Quinta Returns in September 2002. La Quinta Returns members now earn points based on dollars spent and redeem them for free night certificates and a multitude of unique rewards, including a choice of gift certificates for use at more than 150 retailers and restaurants, and of course, airline miles/credits. In fact, members can begin redeeming their points much sooner and reach top tier membership levels faster than under most other hotel loyalty programs. For more details or to enroll in the new La Quinta Returns guest loyalty program, guests can go online at www.LQ.com, call the La Quinta Returns Service Center at 1-800-642-4258 or visit the front desk at any La Quinta hotel.

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program remains one of the airline industry’s top loyalty programs. Rapid Rewards allows members to earn a free ticket after just 16 credits within 12 consecutive months. And, with any flight booked on www.southwest.com through June 6, 2003, members receive double credit, allowing them to earn a free ticket even faster. Rapid Rewards members who fly 50 roundtrips in a 12-month period, receive a Companion Pass, allowing a designated person to fly free for a year every time the member and the companion fly together.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), is the nation`s fourth largest carrier in terms of customers boarded. The airline currently operates more than 2,800 daily flights to 59 airports in 58 cities in 30 states. Southwest employs more than 36,000 employees nationwide.

Dallas-based La Quinta Corporation (NYSE: LQI), a limited-service lodging company, owns, operates or franchises more than 350 La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inn & Suites in 33 states. For more information about La Quinta, please visit its website at www.LQ.com or for reservations at any La Quinta hotel call 1-800-531-5900.

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