Is membership in the AH&LA required for Springhill Suites By Marriott franchisees?
Springhill_Suites_By_Marriott Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
21 Membership in AH&LA is optional, but you must opt out if you do not want to participate. This fee is paid to us, and we remit the entire fee on your behalf to AH&LA.
Source: Item 6 — B. Other Fees That May Apply to Your Transaction (FDD pages 32–64)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Springhill Suites By Marriott Franchise Disclosure Document, membership in the AH&LA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) is optional for franchisees. However, if a franchisee does not want to participate, they must actively opt out of membership.
Springhill Suites By Marriott collects the AH&LA fee from franchisees and then remits the entire fee to the AH&LA on the franchisee's behalf. This arrangement suggests that Springhill Suites By Marriott has a system in place to manage AH&LA membership and payments for its franchisees who choose to participate.
For a prospective Springhill Suites By Marriott franchisee, this means that while AH&LA membership isn't mandatory, it's included by default. Franchisees need to be proactive if they wish to decline membership to avoid the associated fees. It would be prudent for potential franchisees to inquire about the cost of AH&LA membership and the process for opting out during their due diligence.