Wingate Inn Brand Launches Online Travel Agent Incentive Program

Under the Wingate Rewards program, the brand's new travel agent incentive program, the three accredited travel agents who book the most qualified reservations each month will receive $1,000, $500 and $500, respectively. In addition, agents who make at least one qualified booking within the quarter will qualify for a chance to win $1,000 in quarterly drawings.

"We want to thank travel agents for their business and grow our network of loyal travel agents who understand the unique features of the Wingate Inn brand including our all-inclusive pricing strategy and free Internet access," said Keith Pierce, president of Wingate Inns International.

To qualify for the Wingate Rewards program, travel agents must be certified as "Wingate Inn Masters" by Travel Agent University. The designation acknowledges the agents' sales, hospitality industry and Wingate Inn brand knowledge.

Wingate Inn Master agents can enroll in the Wingate Rewards program at http://dev1.tauniv.com/rewards/wingate. There is no cost for enrolling in Wingate Rewards or gaining Wingate Inn Master certification. Certification information is available at www.tauniv.com/wingate.htm.

The Wingate Inn chain is a growing franchise system with 146 properties representing 13,573 guest rooms throughout the United States and Canada. All domestic Wingate Inn hotels provide free wired and wireless high-speed Internet access in guest rooms and public spaces.

The brand's all-inclusive pricing policy also includes, at no extra charge, faxes, photocopies, expanded continental breakfast featuring hot items, local calls, long-distance access and use of in-house 24-hour, self-service business centers, express check-out, USA TODAY newspapers weekdays at U.S. locations and TripRewards(r) points, which can be redeemed for free-night stays, resort vacations and a variety of products and services.

Every Wingate Inn room features a large desk, on-demand movies, Internet-enabled TV, cordless phone, two-line speakerphone with conference calling and voice mail, safe, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing boards. Hotel facilities include meeting rooms and a fitness room with whirlpool. Many hotels also offer swimming pools.

While focused on serving the needs of business travelers, Wingate Inn hotels also cater to leisure travelers with larger-than-average guest rooms - 12 by 28 feet - and free accommodations for children 18 and under when accompanied by an adult family member.

Wingate Inn hotels offer a 100 percent guest satisfaction guarantee: When problems are brought to the attention of hotel management during a stay but cannot be resolved immediately, guests will receive a refund for that night.

Reservations can be made by calling the Wingate Inn toll-free reservation center at (800) 228-1000 or through the company's Web site, .

All Wingate Inn hotels are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements with Wingate Inns International. Wingate Inns International is a subsidiary of Cendant Hotel Group, which will become part of a Cendant Corporation spin-off hospitality company called Wyndham Worldwide later this year. Cendant Hotel Group's TripRewards(r) loyalty program is the largest in the industry, based on the number of participating hotels.