A Hotel Rewards Program for College Towns Many families of college students will be heading to college towns across the country for visits during homecoming and parents" weekends (not to mention four years of pickups and drop-offs), but choosing a hotel often involves a trade-off. Larger brands typically offer guests loyalty rewards programs that garner valuable points for stays, but smaller, independent hotels may be more convenient and closer to campus. Stash Hotel Rewards, a point-based rewards program for independent hotels, recently announced that more than 70 independent hotels in the United States located on or near college campuses are now part of its loyalty program. Since its debut in 2010, the rewards program has expanded its network of hotel partners near universities by 80 percent each year, according to the company. The Dahlmann Campus Inn in Madison, Wis., near the University of Wisconsin campus, is the most recent property to join the program. It became a member hotel in late August. "Many of these hotels are immersed in campus history, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the school's culture and tradition," a statement from Stash said, adding that other benefits include five points for each dollar spent on eligible room rates, points that never expire and no blackouts.