Phoenix, Arizona (April 14, 2020) – Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWHR) has launched a support package designed to offer a helping hand to front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The package includes a discounted rate at participating BWHR-branded hotels, a custom loyalty offering for essential workers and expanded donation offerings supporting COVID-19 relief efforts.

“Each and every day we see essential workers, from healthcare providers and first responders to transportation workers and infrastructure professionals, putting their own health at risk to lead the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said David Kong, President and Chief Executive Officer for BWHR. “These front line workers are making tremendous sacrifices for the greater good. While no token of appreciation will ever be enough, we are proud to show our respect and gratitude by keeping our doors open in their time of need, extending a loyalty upgrade and supporting the relief efforts through donations.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, front line workers have emerged as heroes, selflessly fighting a daily battle to keep communities around the world safe and healthy. Many of these professionals need a safe place to sleep to help them continue the fight against COVID-19. BWHR has created a special rate plan that extends a discount of at least 10% to essential workers at participating properties across North America. The rate plan is effective immediately and available for stay dates through June 30, 2020. Essential workers can select the rate plan when booking on bestwestern.com and will need to provide their work identification upon check in.

In addition to keeping its doors open to essential workers in their time of need, BWHR is offering a Best Western Rewards® (BWR®) Elite status upgrade to those on the front lines. Eligible essential workers can visit bestwestern.com/frontlineheroes for their status upgrade. Elite BWR members can enjoy bonus points for every stay, exclusive promotional offers, and discounted rates at BWHR-branded hotels worldwide.

To round out the relief package for front line workers, BWHR has made it easier than ever for its loyalty members to support essential workers. BWR members who donate their rewards points to BWHR’s charitable arm, Best Western for a Better World®, or charitable partner, the Red Cross, will see their donations go directly to supporting COVID-19 relief efforts.

This announcement is the latest example of BWHR’s commitment to supporting its hoteliers, guests and communities during the COVID-19 health crisis. BWHR was the first hotel company to offer a relief package to its hoteliers to help ease the financial burden during this challenging time. BWHR was also the first in the industry to extend loyalty status to its BWR members whose travel plans have been greatly impacted by travel restrictions and cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read about BWHR’s hotelier relief efforts.

Click here to learn more about the BWR loyalty extension program.