Dictionary.com - Package Deal?

Here is a screenshot of the *current* Choice Hotels terms and conditions (captured 04/21/2011):

The two key clauses are:

• The Competing Rate is:

                 1. Available for the identical hotel, dates, room type, number of guests, type of currency and length of stay; and
                 2. Publicly viewable by Choice at the time the claim is reviewed.

Seems to pass that one ok.

• The Best Internet Rate Guarantee does not apply to:
• Negotiated rates and any other rates not available to the public, such as group rates, package rates, coupons, motor club, membership rates (including AARP) and Government Rates;

 Initially, Choice Hotels claimed this was a negotiated rate - but they do not clarify what this means and surely any rate that differs from their rate is either unauthorized or "negotiated".  Also, it says "any other rate not available to the public" - but this rate IS available to the public.
Subsequently, Choice Hotels claimed this was a "package rate"...

Decide for yourself ... you enter dates at expedia.com; expedia.com provides you with a rate ...

... there is no choice of rate (other than room type) so it is not like you can choose the package rate or the regular rate, there is just a rate ... personally, I would call this a discounted rate, not a "package" - and I believe the dictionary.com definition below would support this.

 To me, it seems like this is just a hokey way for Choice Hotels to pretend they have a guarantee when really they do not.  Please don't waste my time!