Baymont's New Frequency Program Helps Harried Business Travelers "Stay Inn Touch" While Earning Miles and Points.

Business Editors

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001

Partnership with NBTA helps guests stay connected to family and

friends while on the road

Every traveler deserves an ovation for enduring night after night away from home - missing birthdays, anniversaries and all the little things that make home, home. According to a recent online survey, 62 percent of respondents used an excuse to avoid traveling for business, many citing "not wanting to be away from home" as the reason.(1)

That's why Baymont Inns & Suites, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE:MCS), is pleased to announce the launch of its new guest recognition and rewards program, Guest Ovations, which features unique elements designed to help harried travelers "Stay Inn Touch" with their family and friends while earning miles and points.

"Guest Ovations is our way of letting our guests know we understand what they go through as a business person who travels frequently," said Jim Abrahamson, president and COO of Baymont Inns, Inc. "Guests can tailor their membership to their specific needs with three currencies to choose from - Guest Ovations points, frequent flyer miles and Membership Rewards(R) bonus points from American Express(R)."

Guest Ovations enrollment forms are available at all Baymont Inns & Suites and Woodfield Suites locations, and online at www.guestovations.com and www.baymontinns.com. Travelers who enroll online receive 1,000 Guest Ovations bonus points. Participants also receive 500 Guest Ovations bonus points after their first stay and 100 Guest Ovations bonus points for reservations made online. Guest Ovations is not limited to business travelers - frequent leisure travelers are also encouraged to enroll in the program.

Unique Features

Guest Ovations features unique elements such as free phone calls to help guests "Stay Inn Touch." Baymont Inns & Suites also has partnered with the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) to bring its guests tried and true measures to help them stay connected while on the road. The tip sheet is available at all Baymont Inns & Suites locations, through the Baymont Web site (baymontinns.com) and at NBTA's business traveler Web site (biztraveler.org). Additional "Stay Inn Touch" elements being added in 2001 include a free e-mail reminder service for birthdays and anniversaries, and member benefits from a floral partner.

Guest Ovations also has several features that are virtually unheard of with hotel frequency programs. No blackout dates and "Rewards on the Spot" mean guests can redeem their points for free stays at Baymont and Woodfield Suites hotels as soon as they've earned them, without having to wait for vouchers to come in the mail. Guest Ovations points may be shared between significant others for faster and easier point accrual, and an elite level referral program allows guests to earn Gold level (VIP) status quickly by referring new members.

"As a leader in the mid-priced lodging category, we want to set ourselves apart by offering innovative rewards that meet the needs of our guests and exceed their expectations," said Abrahamson.

Participants, Points & Miles

Baymont Inns & Suites has made it a priority to align the Guest Ovations program with businesses and organizations that provide products and services guests want and need. Some of the program's relationship and reward providers include Barnes & Noble, Brinker International Restaurants (Chili's, Macaroni Grill), Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster), The Home Depot(R), iDine (a premier dining rewards network) and Sam's Club. A quarterly "Showcase," featuring reward options based on an alternating theme such as sports, business, entertainment, etc., will become part of the program beginning in March 2001.

The Guest Ovations program offers rewards through three currencies. Guests can earn Guest Ovations points for stays at Baymont Inns & Suites and Woodfield Suites (also owned by The Marcus Corporation) at 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying room charges. The program also features a MasterCard(R), which allows members the ability to earn Guest Ovations bonus points and rewards faster. Guest Ovations points can be redeemed for free stays, merchandise discounts, vacation packages and more.

If free stays and merchandise are not needed but airline miles are, Baymont offers the option of earning frequent flyer miles instead. Guests may accrue miles at a rate of one mile per dollar spent on qualifying room charges with airline partners such as American Airlines(R), Delta Air Lines(R), Midwest Express Airlines(R) and Northwest Airlines(R).

As an alternative, Baymont also has developed an exclusive relationship with American Express and its Membership Rewards(R) bonus points program. Points may be accrued for this program at a rate of one bonus point per dollar spent in qualifying room charges.

First in Series of "Stay Inn Touch" Programs for 2001

Guest Ovations kicks off Baymont's yearlong initiative to help all of its guests "Stay Inn Touch" while on the road. A series of "Stay Inn Touch" programs will target a variety of audiences from business travelers to family leisure travelers at different periods throughout the year.

"Whether it's for business or leisure, Baymont eases life on the road for its guests," explained Abrahamson. "It's our hope that this year's initiatives will be one more way that we can make a difference for our guests and provide added value to the Baymont experience."

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Baymont Inns & Suites delivers travelers an ideal combination of amenities, special extras and superior service, including a lobby breakfast, in-room coffee and tea service, a complimentary USA Today and guest voice mail. Baymont also provides business class rooms which feature an ergonomic chair, executive-size desk, task lighting with a modem jack, and speakerphone. Baymont provides free copies and incoming faxes (up to five pages) as well.

Baymont Inns & Suites is owned, operated and franchised by the Milwaukee-based Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), which is comprised of four divisions: limited-service lodging, hotels/resorts, movie theatres and restaurants. In addition to the more than 175 Baymont Inns & Suites in 30 states, The Marcus Corporation operates seven Woodfield Suites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Ohio and Texas; and operates hotels and/or resorts in Wisconsin, California, Minnesota and Missouri.

In addition, the company operates 482 movie screens in Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota, and one family entertainment center in Wisconsin; and 27 KFC and three KFC/Taco Bell 2-in-1 restaurants in Wisconsin.

To make reservations for any Baymont Inns & Suites location or to receive a directory of locations, call toll free 1-877-BAYMONT (1-877-229-6668) or visit www.baymontinns.com. Visitors to the Web site can use the new "Click 1-2-1" technology for an immediate connection with a Baymont customer service representative. Company news is available online at www.marcuscorp.com.

(1) Baymont Inns & Suites; 150 online surveys of individuals who had traveled for business at least once in the past year (81 men, 69 women, average age of 41). Surveys conducted Jan. 3 - 4, 2001.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Please see the enclosed tip sheet from NBTA and full listing of program partners and rewards.

American Airlines and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. American Airlines reserves the right to change the AAdvantage program at any time without notice. American Airlines is not responsible for products or services offered by other participating companies. For complete details about the AAdvantage program, visit www.aa.com.

The Home Depot is not affiliated with Baymont Inns, Inc. The Home Depot is a registered trademark of Homer TLC, Inc.