Choice Hotels Launches RapidBook

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, builds upon its history of technological innovation with the launch today of RapidBook, enabling travelers to make reservations quickly and easily using a mobile device.

"Our guests are constantly changing the way they shop for and book travel," said Robert McDowell, senior vice president, global distribution, Choice Hotels International. "Choice Hotels is tracking right along with them, providing innovative tools so our franchisees can reach their customers who are embracing the new mobile technology as it evolves.

"Today, mobile is the fastest growing way to make hotel reservations," McDowell continued. "But mobile booking must be fast and convenient for busy travelers on the go. RapidBook takes the frustration out of the mobile reservation process by eliminating the need to fill in information and credit card numbers on a tiny phone screen. Users simply enter their information one time when completing their online profile. After that, they're ready to book quickly through the Choice Hotels mobile website."

RapidBook streamlines the search and checkout functions by leveraging the preferences and other information customers opt to add to their online profile. A guest may tell us, for instance, that he or she prefers non-smoking rooms with a king bed. The mobile enhancement recalls the guest's preferences, provides similar rooms for future searches and also recalls payment information. Customers spend less time looking for rooms and entering data on their smartphones and can complete their reservations in a fraction of the time it previously took.

History of Technology Innovation
"In 2009, Choice Hotels launched the first global iPhone App to come from a major hotel company," McDowell explained. "We continue to push the envelope with mobile enhancements designed to increase reservation conversions for our franchisees."

Choice Hotels mobile business was up almost 200 percent in 2012 over the previous year. Today, the Choice Hotels iPhone, Android, and iPad apps currently generate thousands of reservations by more than 100,000 consumers every month. "Thanks in part to our mobile innovations, Choice Hotels' mobile revenue is up significantly year-over-year, and mobile makes up a rapidly growing portion of the company's online revenue," McDowell said.

The Choice Hotels mobile website, m.choicehotels.com, is compatible with iPhones, Android phones and iPads. The site allows users to map out the company's nearest hotels or find properties by city, zip code, airport code or popular attraction; obtain real-time information, including rates and amenities; view hotel images; access Choice Privileges® accounts and redeem points; and more. Additionally, iPhone and iPad app users can view local points of interest on the hotel search results map and share their hotel via social media, text message and email.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises over 6,200 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories.  As of March 31, 2013, 395 hotels, representing more than 30,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States.  Additionally, 81 hotels, representing approximately 7,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories.  The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With nearly 17 million members worldwide, is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.

Additional corporate information can be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection and SkyTouch Technologyare proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2013 Choice Hotels International, Inc.  All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.