From the hotel program that brought you a cake eating contest, comes the latest foray into gastronomical marketing. The TripRewards Ultimate Hot Wing Eating Championship took place in New York City recently and the winner took home one million TripRewards points. Joey Chestnut of San Jose was the victor, scarfing down a world record 7.05 pounds of hot wings in 12 minutes. With his winnings, he could choose to stay 100 nights at select TripRewards hotels, among other award choices. And for every pound of hot wings consumed, Wyndham Hotel Group donated $250 to the New York City Food Bank — the total 30 pounds of hot wings raised $7,500 for the organization providing more than 37,500 free meals. The New York City Food Bank is committed to ending hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity.

The event marked the start of the TripRewards Mystery Hot Spot promotion — http://www.triprewards.com/mystery — an instant win and sweepstakes running through Sept. 6, 2007. The Mystery Spot grand prize winner will get a trip to the destination of their choice within the U.S. and Canada plus $10,000 spending money. There are hundreds of other instant win prizes and you can play the game every day. The promotion is open to legal residents of the U.S. and Canada. And for travelers who stay at a TripRewards property, they will get a coupon book featuring $300 in discounts from popular retailers. TripRewards points can be earned when staying at Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Baymont Inn & Suites, Wingate by Wyndham, Travelodge, Howard Johnson, AmeriHost Inn and Knights Inn hotels.