Company Press Release
June 1, 2000
PARSIPPANY, NJ -- Wingate Inns International, Inc. yesterday announced the launch of another value-added benefit
for Wingate Inn® hotel guests - U1 - the brand's new, points-based frequent traveler program.
U1 rewards members for dollars spent at Wingate Inn hotels by allowing them to redeem earned points for awards
or merchandise from companies affiliated with giftcertificates.com. Combining a paperless, electronic format with
personalized service, U1 provides numerous benefits that save time for members.
The key time saving consumer benefit is U1's paperless structure, a feature that frequent traveler program members
(hotel and airline) have been demanding for quite some time. Consumers will have the ability to enroll electronically
through the Wingate Inns website, www.wingateinns.com, or through the front desk of a Wingate Inn hotel. Once enrolled,
U1 members will receive monthly e-mail statements, as well as reminders to visit the website to review account
information.
An additional member benefit from this paperless environment is zero time, email communication from the brand,
meaning U1 members will immediately know about new promotions, hotel openings or other announcements. Wingate Inns
can also utilize the Internet to deliver personalized, relevant marketing messages directly to U1 members.
``Loyalty programs have taken on a greater importance than ever before,'' explains Keith Pierce, president and
CEO of Wingate Inns International, Inc. ``The way the hotel industry is evolving, and with competition increasing
daily, hotel brands need to gain more loyal customers, a cause helped by a state-of-the-art frequent traveler program
that provides numerous member benefits. U1 is an acronym for `unit of one' - the individual - which is the entire
focus of our new program.''
Focus on the individual is the second key consumer benefit of the new frequent traveler program from Wingate Inns.
As the program tagline states, ``Personalizing your stays, earning you rewards,'' U1 will also provide a level
of personalized service unlike any other frequent traveler program. U1 members will soon have access to a ``My
Wingate'' Internet site that incorporates member information and reservation functionality tailored to an enrolled
individual's profile, such as room type, floor preference, etc.
In the future, the program's personalized aspect will increase, as will expectations of consumers. As Pierce explains,
``Companies will be expected to know what customers want. Providing a forum (e-mail) for them to tell us exactly
what they desire is what our additional personalized service will provide, meaning enhanced customer service and
even more satisfied U1 members.''
The U1 program benefits don't end there as members will also be rewarded for their continued patronage by receiving
added benefits such as free stays for spouses or other partners, USA Today delivery to guestroom doors and a late
check-out upon request and availability. To accumulate points, members earn one point per dollar spent for their
guestroom at qualifying rates (tax, incidentals, in-room movies, and high-speed Internet access via the television
are not included).
Members are eligible to receive points at any Wingate Inn for hotel stays in a room personally occupied by the
member, plus up to two additional rooms as long as all rooms are reserved and registered in the member's name,
the member arranges and pays for them on a consolidated bill (which should be requested at the time of check-in),
and the member supplies a U1 membership number at the time of check-in. For additional information on the U1 program
and awards, consumers can visit the Wingate Inns website at www.wingateinns.com.
Wingate Inns International, Inc. is an all-new construction hotel chain that opened its first franchised hotel
in July 1996. Its focused service, upper mid-market franchised hotels feature sophisticated, consumer-based technology
and comfortable, oversized rooms that were created in response to business travelers' needs. All Wingate Inn hotels
are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements. Reservations can be made by calling Wingate Inns'
toll-free reservation center at 1.800.228.1000 or through the company's website at www.wingateinns.com.
Wingate Inns International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD - news).
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Contact:
Wingate Inns International, Inc.
Michael LaCosta
973/496-8539
michael.lacosta@cendant.com