Best Western Takes Steps to Ease Financial Burden on Hoteliers

In the face of the biggest economic crisis the hotel industry has ever faced, Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) is taking steps to ease the financial burden for its hoteliers during this challenging time.

Committed to its loyal BWHR family and understanding the tremendous hardship COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having on its hoteliers, their employees and their families, BWHR’s Board of Directors and Executive Team have implemented unprecedented measures to afford its hotel owners (members) much-needed relief through May 2020. These measures include:

• Waiving one half (1/2) of Monthly Fees.
• Waiving one-half (1/2) of Property Revenue Management Fees.
• Reducing Best Western Rewards® (BWR®) loyalty point fees charged to members by one-half without lowering points awarded to loyalty program participants.
• Increasing by 50% hotel redemption compensation for BWR loyalty guest stays.
• Waiving in entirety BWHR co-op marketing fees.

Recognizing the debilitating impact on hotel revenue and the immediate need to conserve use of capital, BWHR is delaying certain fees until November. The company will also offer extensions to its members related to BWHR’s various programs, enabling hotels to focus on the health and welfare of their guests, associates, families and communities. 

Of note, recognizing that BWHR is a family that unequivocally supports one another through difficult challenges, the company’s Board of Directors and Executive Team voluntarily reduced their compensation by 20%.

“I am proud that our Board of Directors and Executive Team have implemented measures that will provide immediate relief to our hoteliers,” said Peter Kwong, Chairman of the Board, BWHR. “In the coming weeks as this crisis unfolds, we will continue to listen to the voice of our hoteliers and respond to their struggles in meaningful ways.”

“The impact of this global pandemic has been devastating to the livelihood of our hoteliers, their families, and the employees who depend on them,” said David Kong, President and CEO, BWHR. “At BWHR, we are truly a family that stands together, shoulder to shoulder, during a time of crisis. In coming together, not only will BWHR weather this storm, but our nation and industry will emerge stronger than ever.”

BWHR has also extended support to its valued guests by protecting the elite status of its BWR members. All BWR members worldwide have been granted elite status extension through January 2022 without needing to fulfill the necessary qualifications. Status will be maintained for all members regardless of their current tier, ensuring both new and veteran members are protected at this time. BWR is the only industry loyalty program where points never expire, meaning members are not impacted by unpredictable circumstances that could prevent them from using their hard-earned points.

Additionally, BWHR has amended its cancellation policy to afford more flexibility to those whose travel plans may have been impacted by COVID-19. Effective through April 30, 2020, guests with existing reservations within the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean for any future travel date may cancel with 24 hours’ notice for a full refund.