October 19, 2001 -- New York City -- Not content to wait for the “trickle down” of the airline bailout, and concerned about the continuing negative publicity aimed at the hospitality industry, Coyle Hospitality Group (“CHG”), together with independent hotel owners throughout the country, are offering a unique new program, “Frequent Driver Miles,”™ www.frequentdrivermiles.com which was featured in the Wall Street Journal’s Takeoffs & Landings on October 19th.

Travelers now have the option of earning and redeeming “Driver Miles,” and they get to do so immediately, not months after their visits as is the case with many airline miles programs or chain hotel rewards programs. 

A growing number of small and independently owned hotels throughout the country have taken the bold step to offer travelers reimbursement for driving to their hotel, in effect earning customers “Frequent Driver Miles.” Guests will have the option of taking a credit to their folio or donating it to the Red Cross or other charities through the hotel.  Many member hotels have devised personalized bonuses which will only increase the positive impact on guests at this critical time.

“Independent hotels have always been the creators and innovators in our industry, and they brought this program to life with their commitment to guests and the community.”  Said Jim Coyle, President of Coyle Hospitality Group.  “Redeeming ‘mileage’ immediately and in a personally rewarding way will change the way hotels reward their guests; people will connect.” 

“The media in regards to hotels has been mainly very negative since Sept. 11th” says Maureen McQuade, owner of Inn by the Sea, one of the first to join.  “Each time the traveler opens the newspaper, they are told that hotels are suffering, and that we are essentially begging for their business.  Most of the advertising that we see says the same thing, with the same old recycled slogans.  FrequentDriverMiles is a very important way for us to get a different message out there; we are creative, we will work hard for your business and we care.  We are behind this for the long-term.”

Hotels like the Equinox, Casa Madrona, Christmas Farm Inn, Days Hotel Boston, Inn at Mystic, Cheeca Lodge, and the Mansfield NYC have already joined the Frequent Driver Miles program. Hotels in Colorado, Minnesota, and Texas are also taking advantage of key positioning in a time when many hotels advertise, cut rates and hope for a turnaround. For a complete listing of properties, and details about the promotion, visit www.frequentdrivermiles.com. 

The cost to be part of this promotion is less than the cost of one room-night per month.  Special rates are available for groups, bed and breakfasts and first hotels to list in their state.

About Coyle Hospitality Group

Coyle Hospitality Group is a New York based consulting firm providing solutions in marketing and quality assurance for independent hotels worldwide.