Penn National teams with Choice Hotels to expand patron benefits

January 15, 2021 9:05 PM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports
January 15, 2021 9:05 PM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports

Members of Penn National Gaming’s loyalty program now have another way to earn points while on the road.

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The Pennsylvania-based casino and racetrack operator announced an agreement this week with Choice Hotels International.

Penn National’s patrons can accrue earning and redemption benefits when they stay at Cambria Hotels, Quality Inns, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodges or any other brand in the Ascend Hotel Collection.

Also, Choice Hotels loyalty program members can earn benefits while visiting any Penn National property, including Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit and Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg in Mississippi.

“Choice Hotels has several properties our mychoice customers will find very conveniently located near our casinos, and we also know our guests will find a great deal of value in being able to visit destination hotels and resorts in the Choice Hotels portfolio,” said Jennifer Weissman, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Penn National.

The agreement takes advantage of the geographic proximity between the companies’ properties. There are more than 1,500 Choice-branded hotels within an hour of Penn National’s locations including, Hollywood Casino Bangor in Maine, River City Casino in St. Louis, and Cactus Pete’s Resort Casino in Jackpot, Nevada.

“Teaming up with Penn positions our more than 47 million Choice Privileges members to easily book a casino resort directly with Choice while continuing to earn points,” said Robert McDowell, chief commercial officer, Choice Hotels.

The agreement will be rolled out in multiple phases in 2021.

Rege Behe is lead contributor to CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at rbehe@cdcgaming.com. Please follow @RegeBehe_exPTR on Twitter.