The Advantage shopping, dining and entertainment card is a benefit for Hays Daily News subscribers and a value-added promotional program for newspaper advertisers and members of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber, Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development and Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau started the Advantage card program and "Take Advantage of Hays" promotion in 2000. Those organizations and the newspaper are partners in this Hays business promotion program.

All subscribers to The Hays Daily News who pay in advance for at least three months of newspaper delivery service receive an Advantage card as part of being a subscriber. The card is good for significant discounts and special offers at participating Hays merchants.

Approximately 8,000 cards are in circulation to newspaper subscribers.

The cards bear an expiration date that corresponds to the date of expiration of the newspaper subscription. Newspaper subscribers on the newspaper's direct debit payment system receive cards annually good for the calendar year.

The card also is a loyalty program for Hays Daily News advertisers, intended to generate exposure and store traffic for participating merchants. Businesses have to be regular advertisers in the newspaper as well as chamber members to participate. Other than offering a special discount to cardholders, one that is significant enough to generate store traffic, there is no cost to participating merchants.

Advantage card participating merchants and discounts offered are listed in a full-page ad every Monday in The Hays Daily News. They also are listed on this Web site.

The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau distributes additional cards by mail to people from outside the area who inquire about visiting Hays. At least 20,000 cards are expected to be distributed by the CVB in the next year to encourage visitors to shop and dine in Hays.