Choice Hotels Welcomes topbonus, airberlin's Worldwide Frequent Flyer Program, as Newest Airline Rewards Partner

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is pleased to announce airberlin as the newest addition to its growing list of airline partners for its award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program.

With this new partnership starting November 17th, topbonus members will be able to earn 500 topbonus award miles per stay at all participating Choice brand properties. Also, members of the Choice Privileges rewards program will be able to redeem 5,000 points for 1,000 topbonus award miles.

"This partnership is a great way to us to provide our members with even more added value," said Greg Brown, vice president of loyalty and relationship marketing for Choice Hotels. "And to welcome our newest airline partner, we're offering a double miles promotion, giving topbonus members 1,000 topbonus award miles per stay at participating Choice brand hotels from December 1st through February 28th."

"Choice brand properties are augmenting our hotel segment with immediate effect. Our customers can benefit from these new offers as a complement to our flights. This applies particularly to the US, where our new partner has a strong presence, but also to other countries. Thanks to the different brands, such as Comfort, Quality and Clarion, every passenger will find a suitable hotel," said André Rahn, Director Marketing airberlin.

airberlin becomes the 15th airline partner for Choice Hotels and the Choice Privileges program, which currently boasts more than 11 million members and is growing rapidly.

As a member of the free Choice Privileges rewards program, guests can earn points that can be redeemed for free nights, airline miles, gift certificates and more while staying at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn or Ascend Collection properties throughout the U.S. (including Hawaii), Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Central America, Australasia and the Caribbean.*

About airberlin

airberlin is Germany's second largest airline. The company currently has over 8,700 employees. In 2009 alone airberlin received more than 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet, with NIKI, encompasses 167 aircraft. The airline's modern aircraft are extremely fuel-efficient and so provide a lasting contribution to the reduction of aviation emissions. airberlin is one of the major airlines in Europe and currently flies to 168 destinations in 40 countries (incl. NIKI). In 2009 the airline carried around 28 million passengers. airberlin has decided to join the global airline alliance oneworld®. Full membership is planned for the start of 2012. Since November 2010 airberlin has been operating codeshare flights with American Airlines and Finnair. Members of the frequent flyer program topbonus can collect status and award miles and redeem them on all flights with airberlin and NIKI.  Also with airline and non-airline partners the topbonus award miles can be collected. airberlin's topdeal tickets offer award flights from 3,000 miles per flight. The status miles offer exclusive benefits such as priority check-in, free advanced seat reservations, additional baggage allowance and much more.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,000 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories.  As of September 30, 2010, more than 540 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 44,000 rooms, and approximately 90 hotels, representing approximately 8,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in 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 serve guests worldwide.  In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may 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 and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

© 2010 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Excluding Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Liberia, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe. Excluding Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.