PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MasterCard Worldwide and Barclaycard US announced today the re-launch of their rewards card program with Best Western International. Now cardholders can earn five Best Western Rewards points – up from the 3.3 points earned previously -- for every $1 spent at Best Western and one point for every $1 spent away from Best Western.

Travelers who sign up for the card and use it once will receive 16,000 bonus points, which is enough for a free night’s stay at roughly half of Best Western’s 2,200 North American hotels. In addition, cardholders who use the card for $6,000 in purchases within a calendar year will earn an upgrade to Elite status in the Best Western Rewards program, which entitles them to at least a 10 percent point bonus on all Best Western hotel stays.

“The new Best Western Rewards MasterCard is yet another way for our customers to get more value out of their spending and travel,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western. “With all of the card’s benefits, cardholders can turn their everyday purchases into a summer vacation for the family.”

The Best Western Rewards program also features unique point redemption options in addition to hotel stays such as gift cards, Best Western Travel Cards, dining rewards, theme park awards, gas and auto rewards such as car rental certificates and charitable contributions. In addition, the card program now features other World MasterCard benefits, such as:

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's largest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA®/CAA®, Michael Waltrip Racing^TM and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Del., Barclaycard US creates customized, co-branded credit card programs for some of the country’s most successful travel, entertainment, retail and financial institutions. The company employs 1,600 associates and was named a Top Employer in Delaware in 2009. For more information please visit www.barclaycardus.com.

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global and Retail Commercial Banking division, is a leading global payment business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle and Far East. For further information about Barclays, please visit www.barclays.com.

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com.