Usfs To Migrate To Voyager Central Reservations System For Microtel & Hawthorn Hotel Brands

(Monday, January 09, 2006) - US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS) announced today that it will migrate to a new central reservations system (CRS) – the Voyager CRS platform – for its Microtel Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites hotel brands. The system is hosted and operated by TRUST International, a subsidiary of Cendant Travel Distribution Services, and is expected to be in place in February.

"We look forward to the next step in USFS' development and to providing our franchisees with enhanced service and the most powerful and advanced reservations web-based technology that the industry has to offer," said Jon Leven, USFS Executive Vice President of Marketing. "Voyager will help our hotels significantly improve operating efficiency to boost bookings and increase bottom line results."

With Voyager CRS Solutions, USFS franchisees will be able to manage rate, availability and property information through one system with improved turnaround times for GDS rate loading, even in peak seasons. "Next Generation Seamless" technology will provide GDS booking agents with real-time connectivity and direct access to hotel rates and availability information. In addition, the strength of the TRUST's distribution network and partnerships with third-party vendors will enhance USFS connections.

Additional features include:  Guests' ability to modify and cancel reservations online, and receive rate ranges for multiple properties in a single search.  Greater access to guest databases so hotels can create detailed guest histories via their CRS.  Improved production reporting.  Direct connections to third party distribution sites such as Expedia and Hotels.com. Early this year, there will also be connections to Orbitz and Q2, eliminating the need for hotels to manage their inventories on separate Extranets.

TRUST's emphasis is on customer-driven development, with planned enhancement releases twice annually and two meetings per year with customers to provide input for future development and vote on the enhancements.

About Microtel Inns & Suites All Microtel hotels offer free local and long distance phone calls and free wireless high speed Internet access. In addition, guests enjoy free continental breakfast and members of the MicroPass™ frequent guest program earn a free night's stay after just nine night stays at any location. For the fourth consecutive year, Microtel has been ranked highest in guest satisfaction among economy/budget hotel chains by J.D. Power and Associates. Microtel is the only economy brand to have received the award four times. Microtel also received the 2005 "Extra Mile Award" from Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine for providing guests with the free local and long distance calling and free wireless high speed Internet service. For hotel reservations, contact 1-800-771-7171 toll-free or visit http://www.microtelinn.com.

About Hawthorn Suites Hawthorn hotels are upscale properties with such value-added comforts as daily complimentary hot breakfast buffet and social hours, exercise and meeting facilities, 24-hour front desk service, guest laundry and valet service, swimming pool and spa, and convenience store. Spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom suites are equipped with full- or wet-bar kitchens, work desks with ergonomic chairs, and personal voice mail, with most locations offering free wireless high speed Internet access and extended cable TV with movie channel or VCP. For hotel reservations, contact 1-800-527-1133 toll-free or visit http://www.hawthorn.com.

There are currently 279 Microtel Inns & Suites and 105 Hawthorn Suites hotels open or under construction worldwide. All Microtel and Hawthorn hotels are independently owned and operated.

About Cendant Travel Distribution Services Cendant Corporation's (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world's largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 140 countries, includes: a leading (GDS) global distribution system (Galileo), serving more than 50,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading online travel agencies (Asia-hotel.com, CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz®, RatesToGo.com, and The Away Network); an airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2®/Travel 4®); online global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business® and Travelport®); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).

About TRUST International TRUST International (www.trustinternational.com) is a subsidiary of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division. It develops and implements state-of-the-art central reservation systems, providing tailor-made, real-time reservations and global distribution solutions for the hospitality industry. TRUST services include private label telephone lines, connectivity to all Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and various Web sites and Internet platforms. The company serves 44 countries from its Customer Communication Centers strategically located in North America, Europe and The Far East. Together with its sister company WIZCOM International the full range of Connectivity, Data Management, CRS and Global Voice Solutions are offered to the hotel and car rental businesses.

View all Microtel Inns & Suites Press Releases

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