SILVER SPRING, MD— To drive greater business and “welcome back” travelers, Choice Hotels International is launching an airline miles promotion beginning Feb. 1 that will give triple miles to members of American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Northwest Airlines WorldPerks and US Airways Dividend Miles when they stay at any of the chain’s 3,300 franchised hotels in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Throughout the promotion, which ends April 30, 2002, guests at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites brand hotels can earn 750 miles per stay instead of the standard 250 miles. Guests at Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brand hotels can earn 450 miles per stay instead of the standard 150 miles. In addition, all Choice brand hotels in the U.S. and the Caribbean will participate in a “Thanks a Million Sweepstakes that includes a one million miles grand prize and ten 100,000 miles first prizes. No purchase is necessary to enter. To receive triple miles, guests need to stay at a qualifying rate and provide the selected airline member number upon check-in. “Americans are on the move again, said Wayne Wielgus, Choices svp/ marketing. “In particular, business travelers are again recognizing the competitive advantage in ‘being there.’ Our aim with this promotion is to welcome travelers back— to the road and to our hotels….” The promotion will be supported by a $10 million print and broadcast advertising campaign to run in national magazines and newspapers and to air on network and cable television with heavy airplay during the 2002 Winter Olympics. A series of radio advertisements will tout the triple miles promotion for Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brand hotels.