sdsearch
Aug 8, 10, 12:05 pm
I checked into a Best Western Wednesday night. This was the first time since the new policy about bottle of water for elites:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/best-western-rewards/1104968-bw-now-offering-water-snack-points-checkin.html
so I asked about that and they said it should be in my room already.
So I get to my room and there's not just a bottle of water, but also an apple, and that morning's newspaper.
In the morning, there's no newspaper on my doorknob (as an Elite at Choice, that's how I get it if I stay at the Comfort Inn next door), or at my door (that's how I get it, as an HHonors member, at the Hampton next door). So after I'm dressed, I go down to the desk and ask about a paper. They say they're all out. So I ask, why was it that you had enough for my room last night, but this morning you've run out already.
Then they explain that they haven't really run out, but that they're saving some morning newspapers for any elite guests who are checking in that evening. (Actually, they called them "Business Plus" guests.)
No amount of arguing, with two clerks, could get them to recognize the stupiditiy and backwardsness of not giving papers to elites in the morning, because you're waiting to give that same (by then "stale") paper to other elites who will check in that evening.
No other chain I've ever stayed in does it this backwards way. They all distribute their newspapers in the morning, and then if they have any left over, they simply put them in a stack somewhere.
I sent an email off to BW customer relatiions, but so far only got an automated reply saying they're very busy and that it may take them some time to get back to me.
But what I don't know (with just this one experience) is whether this is BW's fault (bad instructions given to hotels on the new elite benefits) or the hotel's fault (misunderstanding BW's instructions).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/best-western-rewards/1104968-bw-now-offering-water-snack-points-checkin.html
so I asked about that and they said it should be in my room already.
So I get to my room and there's not just a bottle of water, but also an apple, and that morning's newspaper.
In the morning, there's no newspaper on my doorknob (as an Elite at Choice, that's how I get it if I stay at the Comfort Inn next door), or at my door (that's how I get it, as an HHonors member, at the Hampton next door). So after I'm dressed, I go down to the desk and ask about a paper. They say they're all out. So I ask, why was it that you had enough for my room last night, but this morning you've run out already.
Then they explain that they haven't really run out, but that they're saving some morning newspapers for any elite guests who are checking in that evening. (Actually, they called them "Business Plus" guests.)
No amount of arguing, with two clerks, could get them to recognize the stupiditiy and backwardsness of not giving papers to elites in the morning, because you're waiting to give that same (by then "stale") paper to other elites who will check in that evening.
No other chain I've ever stayed in does it this backwards way. They all distribute their newspapers in the morning, and then if they have any left over, they simply put them in a stack somewhere.
I sent an email off to BW customer relatiions, but so far only got an automated reply saying they're very busy and that it may take them some time to get back to me.
But what I don't know (with just this one experience) is whether this is BW's fault (bad instructions given to hotels on the new elite benefits) or the hotel's fault (misunderstanding BW's instructions).