A couple years ago the front desk guy in Gainesville got me signed up for the rewards program. A couple tips:
best western will match any existing rewards status from a competitor. I am a choice hotels gold member because i have their card. So i emailed best western and they hooked that up.
get the best western credit card. I use mine for work at home depot and the like and pay it at the end of the month. I used most of my points in December and already have built back up 77,000 points. 3,000 more and i have 4 nights free at the Gateway Grand for the challenge.