Under what circumstances can Best Western disconnect a member from its reservation systems?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If Member's data security systems are compromised, Member shall notify Best Western within twenty-four (24) hours of becoming aware of any such incident. Member further agrees and understands that Best Western shall be permitted to take, at Member's cost, any reasonable actions to protect itself from a data security compromise event at Member's Property, including but not limited to disconnecting the Member from Best Western's reservations systems until the incident is resolved and requiring that the Member provide appropriate documentation and certification that the incident has been resolved (e.g., if applicable, certification from a Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor). Best Western acknowledges it is responsible for the security of cardholder data that it possesses or
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Best Western has the right to disconnect a member from its reservation systems under specific circumstances related to data security.
Specifically, if a Best Western member's data security systems are compromised, the member is obligated to notify Best Western within 24 hours of becoming aware of the incident. Following this notification, Best Western is permitted to take reasonable actions, at the member's expense, to protect itself from the data security compromise.
One of the actions Best Western can take is disconnecting the member from its reservation systems. This disconnection remains in effect until the data security incident is resolved. Furthermore, Best Western may require the member to provide appropriate documentation and certification, potentially from a Payment Card Industry Qualified Security Assessor, to verify that the incident has been resolved. This measure ensures the security and integrity of the Best Western reservation system and the protection of customer data.