Choice Hotels International, Inc. the global hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands and one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, announced that membership in Choice Privileges, the company’s award-winning rewards programme, is now available across the Middle East, Africa and Central America.

In addition, all Choice Privileges members will now be able to earn points for qualifying hotel stays in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Lebanon, meaning travellers can now earn points at the thousands of Choice branded hotel properties in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Central America, Australasia and the Caribbean.

Originally launched in 1998, the Choice Privileges rewards programme has been available in Europe since 2008.  One of the fastest growing rewards programmes, it recently celebrated reaching a milestone of 10 million members.

"The Choice Privileges programme is growing more rapidly every day," said Greg Brown, vice president of loyalty and relationship marketing for Choice Hotels. "Not only has Choice Privileges proven to be very popular among travellers worldwide, it has also proven to add tremendous value for our franchise hotel owners, helping to drive more reservations to their hotels."

Becoming a Choice Privileges member is free and members also enjoy express check-in, extended check-out, and the opportunity to redeem points for free nights at thousands of properties throughout Europe, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia and the Caribbean. Members can also redeem points at luxury partner hotels, such as Preferred Hotels & Resorts, through airline partners including, American, Qantas, Delta and Czech Airlines and car hire partners Avis Rent a Car and Budget Rent A Car.