ATLANTA – The first business credit card offered by a hotel rewards program is also the first to offer small businesses the ability to give their employees added benefits. The Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa, offered by Bass Hotels & Resorts, allows each company employee cardholder to earn points for free hotel nights, frequent flyer miles, merchandise and shopping rewards. The Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa card also gives small business owners the opportunity to harness the financial leverage of quarterly management reports, consolidated billing statements to track company cardholders' spending, and discounts on business products and services.

Bass Hotels & Resorts, parent company to several of the world's most recognized lodging brands, including Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn, will offer the new Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa Card through a partnership with First USA, the world's largest issuer of Visa credit cards.

"This card will allow small business owners to save time and money, and, most important, to reward their employees – all within a limited budget," said Paul Brown, senior vice president, strategic services, Bass Hotels & Resorts. "Allowing each individual cardholder to redeem rewards offered by the Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa rewards program is a great way to enhance the benefits afforded employees."

"We realize that small businesses can either thrive or perish based on finding the right financial resources," said James W. Stewart III, executive vice president, partnership marketing, First USA. "The Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa delivers more than a competitive interest rate and ample credit line, it gives entrepreneurs the financial management tools they need to succeed."

The no-annual-fee Priority Club Worldwide Business Visa card, available by calling toll-free 1-800-234-9063, offers the prestige of Platinum Cardmember benefits, including a 3.9% fixed APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first five months, followed by a 9.99% annual percentage rate.

Cardmembers receive one Priority Club point for every U.S. dollar spent on purchases and an additional 5,000 bonus points with their first purchase or balance transfer. Priority Club points may be redeemed at Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn lodging brands worldwide. In addition, Cardmembers can receive discounts at the same hotels, as well as with Avis rental cars, MCI WorldCom long distance service, AlphaGraphics and at thousands of restaurants nationwide with TRANSMEDIA.

Additional benefits include automatic purchase protection, exceptional travel accident insurance, emergency cash and airline ticket replacement, auto rental collision coverage and lost luggage protection. The card features a credit line up to $35,000; a money-saving balance-transfer option; and 24-hour, toll-free customer-service support.

The Priority Club Worldwide Platinum Visa for consumers is also available. Named by Money Magazine as one of the "Best Cards for Big Spenders," the card offers no annual fee and excellent reward benefits.

One of the first frequent guest programs in the hotel industry, Priority Club Worldwide was established in 1983. Priority Club benefits include Priority Check-In(SM), weekday newspaper, extended check-out when available, and choice of collecting points or airline frequent flyer miles.* Points may be redeemed for awards including free hotel nights, airline frequent-flyer miles, travel packages, retail gift certificates and brand name merchandise.

Enrollment in Priority Club is free and guests may enroll at any Bass Hotels & Resorts property, on the Internet at www.priorityclub.com or by calling 1-800-272-9273 in the United States or Canada.

*Priority Club benefits may vary by region or by brand.

Melanie Brandman
Bass Hotels & Resorts
212-983-7145
IHG