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This statement covers personal information that is subject to the European Community
Directive on Data Protection, commonly referred to as the "EU Privacy Directive"
Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Choice")
are committed to taking measures to respect and protect your privacy. This privacy
statement sets forth the measures Choice takes with regard to how Choice uses, protects
and allow others to view your personal information. Choice has chosen to comply
with the EU Privacy Directive by joining the US Department of Commerce's "Safe Harbor"
program, which satisfies its obligations under the EU Privacy directive.
Choice franchises hotels under the brands: Comfort®, Comfort Suites®, Clarion®,
Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Mainstay Suites®, Cambria Suites®
and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel® (each a "Hotel"). Additionally, Choice enters
into master licensee relationships with companies outside of the U.S. in which such
companies are granted rights to franchise Choice's brands. In the EU, these "Master
Licensees" are C.H.E. Group Plc and Choice Hotels A/S. Hotels and Master Licensees
are independent entities not owned or controlled by Choice.
1. Notice
The purpose of this section is to notify you about the manner and the purposes for
which Choice may collect and transfer certain personal information, which includes
your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and, in certain cases, credit-card
number.
Reservations
Choice maintains a centralized reservations system that retains your personal information
when you make a reservation for a Hotel via Choice's worldwide accessible website,
a Master Licensee's website, Choice's call centers, the Hotels, and third-party
travel agents and travel websites that connect to Choice's reservation system. The
personal information collected in the reservation system is needed to secure your
reservation. Personal information about guests is collected so that guests can make
reservations at Hotels and so that Hotels can receive and have updated reservation
information. Some of a guest's personal information (including credit card number)
may be stored to facilitate the making of future reservations by such guest. Only
that personal information which is reasonably required to facilitate travel reservations
is collected and shared between Choice, Master Licensees and Hotels. Personal information
for guests will be transferred from Choice to Hotels.
Online Profile
If you establish an online profile on Choice's website, we'll ask for your personal
information to facilitate future online reservations.
Choice Privileges® Members
Choice may collect personal information from guests who become members of Choice's
frequency program, Choice Privileges ("CP Members") so that Choice can perform certain
administrative tasks necessary for the administration and operation of the CP program
such as the following: (1) allow CP Members to earn points ("CP Points") for staying
at various Hotels; and (2) allow Hotels and Master Licensees to be aware of the
CP Points earned by CP Members so that such Hotels or Master Licensees can award
and redeem CP Points.
CP Members' personal information may be collected through Choice's websites, Master
Licensees' websites, by Choice's call centers, paper applications, or may be passed
on to Choice by Hotels. Choice may transfer personal information to Hotels as a
part of administering the CP program as outlined above.
Sweepstakes & Contests
Choice may occasionally conduct sweepstakes and contests that offer guests the opportunity
to win prizes. As part of entering a sweepstakes, certain personally identifiable
information such as name and e-mail address may be required.
Use of Personal Information
Choice distributes personal information about guests and CP Members to third parties
for the purpose of having such third parties compile information about the type
and frequency of guest stays and the use of the CP program by such CP Members as
well as to allow such third parties to conduct data processing for Choice and to
engage in communications on behalf of Choice with CP Members. Choice may also distribute
personal information to airline companies upon request of guests, in order to allow
guests to earn frequent customer points with such airline companies for stays at
Hotels. Choice may send marketing information about Choice, Hotels or the CP program
as well as marketing information about offers or information about third party products
and services to guests and CP Members based upon the personal information Choice
has collected for such guests and CP Members.
Choice may share or transfer personal information with its subsidiaries while performing
the tasks described in this privacy statement. This privacy statement applies to
and is adhered by Choice's subsidiaries.
To serve you better, Choice may combine information you give us online, at Hotels,
through the mail, or in any other way. Choice may also combine that information
with publicly available information and information Choice receive from others or
cross-reference. Choice uses that combined information for the purposes described
in this privacy statement. Although unlikely, in certain instances Choice may disclose
your personally identifiable information which Choice has reason to believe that
it is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against persons or entities
who may be causing injury to you, to Choice or to others. Choice may also disclose
your personally identifiable information when Choice believes the law requires it.
Choice's websites and emails may use "cookies" and other computer code processes.
These are small amounts of computer code that interact with your computer, browser
or email. Generally, Choice uses cookies to remind us of who you are, tailor our
services to suit your personal interests, to process your reservations or requests,
track your status in our promotions, contests and sweepstakes, and/or to analyze
your visiting patterns. You can generally set your browser to not accept cookies
or to notify you when you are sent a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether
or not to accept it. Choice may contract with third parties who may use cookies
on Choice's websites and collect information on our behalf. These third parties
are prohibited by our contracts with them from sharing that information with anyone
other than us or other third parties providing services to us.
2. Choice
Choice respects your right to privacy. When Choice contacts you for marketing purposes,
you will be advised of how to remove your name from receiving any further materials.
You may also remove yourself at any time by contacting us as indicated below.
3. Onward Transfers
As noted under "Notice", Choice will need to transfer your personal information
to Hotels and Master Licensees to secure your reservation or in connection with
awarding or redeeming CP Points. Please note that some Hotels may not be in the
EU or other countries that have been deemed by the EU to have "adequate" data protection
laws, and may be in countries like the U.S. where an equivalent level of data protection
is not granted.
Choice may also transfer your personal information to third parties to distribute
marketing materials or provide other services. Such parties are prohibited in their
contracts with Choice from using it for any purpose other than to provide the services
requested by Choice.
4. Security
Choice is committed to securing the personal information you supply to us. Choice
follows generally accepted industry standards to protect your data during transmission
and storage.
5. Data Integrity
Choice only collects the personal information that it believes is necessary to perform
the services that you seek from Choice and to comply with its obligations to Hotels
and Master Licensees.
Choice makes every reasonable effort to maintain the accuracy of personal information.
If you become aware that information Choice maintains about you is incorrect or
if you would like to update your information please contact us as indicated below.
6. Access
If you have created an online profile on Choice's website (choicehotels.com) or
are a CP Member with an online account, you can access and update the personal information
in your account at any time without cost. For other personal information about you
maintained by Choice, you may contact us as indicated below.
7. Enforcement
Choice engages in periodic self-assessments to determine our compliance with the
Safe Harbor program and this privacy statement.
For any disputes alleging a mishandling of personal information in violation of
the Safe Harbor, Choice participates in the BBBOnline Dispute Resolution Program.
8. Links to Third Party Sites
Choice's website may contain links to websites operated and maintained by third
parties over which Choice has no control. Privacy policies on such linked sites
may be different from Choice's privacy policy. You access such linked sites at your
own risk.
How to contact Choice if you have questions or comments:
Please forward all communications to Privacy Officer, Choice Hotels International,
10750 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 or e-mail: privacy@choicehotels.com.
Please include your name, address, e-mail address and Choice Privileges number (if
applicable) and clearly state the nature of your request.
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