Hotels roll out bonus deals to lure summer travelers

— -- In early June, the economic research firm e-forecasting.com declared that May was the "19th month of decline" for the hotel industry. While that's grim news for the hotels, it's been a boon to their customers. To maintain their shares of the shrinking travel pie, hotels have had no choice but to pile on the bonuses. (Unlike the airlines, which can adjust their capacity according to changes in consumer demand by pulling aircraft out of rotation, hotels are stuck with a pretty constant supply of rooms no matter which way the economy turns.)

Today, with no end in sight to the recession and a fresh round of hotel promotions on offer for travel through the summer months and into the fall, travelers have it pretty good: Never before have so many hotels offered so many incentives over such a long period.

Here's what summer travelers can look forward to:

Best Western

Members of Best Western's Rewards program will earn a voucher for a free night's stay after two qualifying paid stays between June 21 and August 16. Stays booked on Best Western's website also earn a 250-point bonus. Both bonuses may be earned twice during the promotion period.

Separately, and combinable with the free night, travelers can earn one Southwest Rapid Rewards credit after stays, plus bonus miles in several airline programs when purchasing Best Western Travel cards, which can be used to pay for stays.

Carlson

Through August 31, members of Carlson hotels' goldpoints plus program can earn bonus points for the third and subsequent nights at Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns, and Park Inn hotels, as follows: 3,000 bonus points for three nights; 4,000 bonus points for four nights; 10,000 bonus points for five nights; 15,000 bonus points for 10 nights; and 25,000 bonus points for 20 nights.

(Hint: The bonus is keyed to the number of nights, so there's a much higher ratio of bonus points per dollar spent at the less expensive hotels.)

Choice Hotels

Through August 13, members of the Choice Privileges program can earn a $50 cash card or double points, depending on which of the chain's hotel brands are used.