Starwood Complaint
#47
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
#48
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
#49
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YXE
Programs: WS Gold, SPG Plat, Nexus, HDC Gold, CCarlson Gold, HHonors Diamond,
Posts: 130
I always tip. (also Canadian) 15% for absolute basic, 18% standard, 20%+ for above and beyond service. Bellhop or valet is usually a flat $5 or $10.
In the OP's case I'm thinking letting the bellhop know you've got no cash on you and would get him later (if you intended to do so) would be a fair statement.
Regardless of tip or no tip, the bellhop responded very immaturely and I would expect his manager to be speaking with him. For your compensation of 10k SP's I'd say that's a fair deal too.
In the OP's case I'm thinking letting the bellhop know you've got no cash on you and would get him later (if you intended to do so) would be a fair statement.
Regardless of tip or no tip, the bellhop responded very immaturely and I would expect his manager to be speaking with him. For your compensation of 10k SP's I'd say that's a fair deal too.
Last edited by Canuckmma; Nov 19, 2015 at 10:54 am
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Hamilton, Bermuda
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 42
I can't recall, ever, pulling up to a hotel and having them just "take" the bags without the question "Do you need help with your bags?". You had to know that by them taking the bags this was bell service.
If you had no cash, did you have a check on you? Most hotels you're staying at will cash a check right at the front desk, while you are checking in. Voila - cash for the service you agreed to.
If you had no cash, did you have a check on you? Most hotels you're staying at will cash a check right at the front desk, while you are checking in. Voila - cash for the service you agreed to.
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Hamilton, Bermuda
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 42
As an update, A director from the hotel reached out to me on Monday and the employee admitted that he said it and has apparently been disciplined for it. Im not sure if it counted for anything but I did make it unequivocally clear to the director that I did not want the employee to lose his job but at the same time he should disciplined for what he said.
In addition to the 10,000 points they have also agreed to refund the cost of my stay and upgrade should I choose to come back to the hotel so I am happy with the resolution.
I must say, I find it absolutely preposterous that anyone could ever condone any person using such foul language towards a guest. Without guests at a hotel there would be no hotel. Not only that, but whilst it is customary to tip it is not mandatory.
In addition to the 10,000 points they have also agreed to refund the cost of my stay and upgrade should I choose to come back to the hotel so I am happy with the resolution.
I must say, I find it absolutely preposterous that anyone could ever condone any person using such foul language towards a guest. Without guests at a hotel there would be no hotel. Not only that, but whilst it is customary to tip it is not mandatory.
#52
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Thanks for the follow-up, always good to find out what happened. Personal opinion, but I like the track you took with asking for them to be disciplined but not fired. It's inexcusable behaviour, but perhaps there was something going on in his life as well.
I think the hotel handled it quite well, with the personal update and the additional refund of the stay.
I think the hotel handled it quite well, with the personal update and the additional refund of the stay.
#53
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
10,000 points was a win, but 10,000 points and refund on your accommodation is a slam dunk.
Now, I want a few hotel employees to swear at me on all my future stays so I can get free accommodation Swearing at me, around me, is normal as I have worked with people with mental illness' and sometimes what they say, just isn't their fault. It's their faulty brain.
Now, I want a few hotel employees to swear at me on all my future stays so I can get free accommodation Swearing at me, around me, is normal as I have worked with people with mental illness' and sometimes what they say, just isn't their fault. It's their faulty brain.
#54
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
So by my rough calculations, you received a benefit of nearly $100-300 dollars (assuming 12,000 will get you a free night at a nice hotel) in exchange for having to endure two demeaning comments... I have nice broad shoulders, I think I might have to check in and out of this hotel multiple times.
#55
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 304
Sheraton is an international chain. I was talking about locally owned/founded businesses
Exactly! Are these people going to turn around and share their tip with the construction workers that built the hotel or the truck drivers that brought the construction material or the custodians that clean the business or the city health and safety inspectors that approved the business?
it is a poor system especially when it almost felt forced.
Everyone provides a form of service in their jobs. It is the employer that should change but if there are enough folks tipping and supplementing their employee's take home income because they think they earn minimum wages, then why would the boss (ever) be motivated to pay better wages?
In fact, I am sure there are other jobs commanding minimum (or close) income but are never tipped. Why are there no sympathy there?
The excuse that tip is necessary because they are earning minimum wages is just an excuse.
Everyone provides a form of service in their jobs. It is the employer that should change but if there are enough folks tipping and supplementing their employee's take home income because they think they earn minimum wages, then why would the boss (ever) be motivated to pay better wages?
In fact, I am sure there are other jobs commanding minimum (or close) income but are never tipped. Why are there no sympathy there?
The excuse that tip is necessary because they are earning minimum wages is just an excuse.
#56
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
If this a-hole had the nerve to cuss at me I would have loudly called him out on it right in the lobby. Since he, as an agent for the hotel management had clearly demonstrated that swearing was perfectly acceptable in their hotel, I would have responded in kind asking him what the f---- he just said to me and would not have backed down until a manager arrived on scene.
This moron needs to be fired immediately IMHO.
#57
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
So by my rough calculations, you received a benefit of nearly $100-300 dollars (assuming 12,000 will get you a free night at a nice hotel) in exchange for having to endure two demeaning comments... I have nice broad shoulders, I think I might have to check in and out of this hotel multiple times.
I would never book a room with 10K points if the cost were less than $250. And that's before taxes. So to me, that' worth close to $300. Extremely generous, IMO.
Starwood and 95%of their local properties believe in customer satisfactino adn don't mess around. That's why they have totally earned my loyalty.
#58
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW; Allen, TX
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,083
I would never book a room with 10K points if the cost were less than $250. And that's before taxes. So to me, that' worth close to $300. Extremely generous, IMO.
Starwood and 95%of their local properties believe in customer satisfactino adn don't mess around. That's why they have totally earned my loyalty.
Starwood and 95%of their local properties believe in customer satisfactino adn don't mess around. That's why they have totally earned my loyalty.
#59
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Lucky.
#60
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
you're answer is as ridiculous as the bellman's
there are ZERO reasons that would mitigate a bellman saying what he did
it's a cashless society these days get used to it