What are the conditions under which Best Western membership services may be restricted before cancellation or termination?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
right to transfer ones Membership to a purchaser of a property in accordance with Article II, Section 7 of the Bylaws.
-
- The right to have impartial, standardized and nondiscriminatory assessment procedures applied to each Member property.
-
- The right to continue Membership in Best Western except where termination or cancellation is provided for pursuant to the fair application of established Bylaws and Rules and Regulations, which shall provide that cancellation may not occur until after a hearing before the Board of Directors, if requested by the Member.
-
- The right to receive all Member services until Membership is cancelled or terminated, except in the following cases, Membership services may be restricted; (i) when grounds for cancellation are found by the Board of Directors to exist, after opportunity for a hearing has been provided, and the Board has granted a conditional extension in lieu of cancellation of Membership, (ii) when the Member scores less than 600 points for guest rooms and public areas, and (iii) when a Member's fees, dues or any other account are not paid within the time set by Board policy.
Best Western International, Inc.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, membership services may be restricted under certain conditions before a full cancellation or termination occurs. Specifically, the Board of Directors may find grounds for cancellation but grant a conditional extension instead. In this case, membership services can be restricted after an opportunity for a hearing has been provided.
Additionally, Best Western may restrict services if a member's property receives a low score on guest rooms and public areas. If a member scores less than 600 points for guest rooms and public areas, services may be restricted. Furthermore, if a member fails to pay fees, dues, or any other account within the timeframe set by the Board policy, Best Western may restrict membership services.
The FDD also states that the Board shall establish a program automatically restricting properties on the Best Western reservation system when they score below 600 points on a Guest Rooms/ Public Areas Condition Report. The property will remain restricted subject to the Property's status being determined by the Board. Where grounds exist for termination of Membership, Best Western may, in addition to any other remedy, restrict any or all Membership services. During an administrative restriction, full fees continue to accrue.