meester69

I've always been a backpack man, since a case with wheels wasn't much use when travelling through Cambodia or whatever.

Now I have two kids and we still use backpacks. I do feel quite self-conscious checking into a $500/night hotel with them, or even walking into the lobby some times.

Does anyone else feel this? Or when flying J/F?

It's a bit silly in a way, because a 80l backpack is actually more expensive than a generic suitcase, which nobody would look at.

But I guess the association is with 'dirty backpackers' staying in hostels rather than the price of the luggage.

Any thoughts on the backpack vs. suitcase issue?

manneca

Your money is still green (unless you are in a country with more colorful money). I'm sure hotels get all sorts of people. I've never let it bother me. On long flights, I generally have a daypack sort of backpack whether I'm up front or in the back. I expect the same service whether I'm dressed well or not. And besides when I travel, I tend not to wear/take my good clothes anyway.

milepig

Don't give it a second thought. 5* places are generally much more accommodating that 3* places that would like to think they're actually 5*. Everyone is treated with discretion and respect.

When I used to travel with a small child we were treated horribly in mid-tier places, the 5* places bent over backwards to accommodate us.

uncertaintraveler

Perhaps you should consider simply hiring a local, who is always two steps behind you, to carry your backpack.

That way, when you are checking in for a flight or at the hotel desk, you can simply summon the fellow by clicking your fingers and exclaiming "pack horse" or some other appropriate moniker, and all will see that although you may use a backpack, you clearly belong amongst the affluent class.

meester69

There are enough threads on here to suggest that people might assume you don't have any money and are in the wrong place, if you don't conform to their expectations.

gt_croz

I feel your pain. I travel almost exclusively with a backpack. I stay in $10 a night backpacker hostels, but sometimes I splurge (or cash in points) and stay some place nice. I also fly mostly J when traveling internationally.

Personally, I get a kick out of it. There's nothing you can do about it. People are going to judge you. I try and be as polite as possible and let people make idiots of themselves when they make incorrect judgments.

A Delta lady physically blocked me from entering the BusinessElite checkin line and told me "everyone has to use the Kiosk". She never asked me if I was flying B/E, she just assumed I wasn't. When I politely insisted that I'd rather use the line she demanded my boarding pass and begrudgingly let me proceed. I think my smirk communicated more than any amount of words could have

Mr H

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gt_croz

I wasn't looking for confrontation, but I was confronted when she singled me out and blocked my entrance to the check-in line. I shouldn't have to announce "I'm flying business class" before I get in line or take my seat on the plane.

I thought it was funny that she singled me out because I didn't fit her profile, hence the smirk.

thelark

Except in this case the staff deserved it (or perhaps worse).

Mr H

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meester69

The staff member tried to humiliate the pax, by directing him to the wrong line. If somebody is in the F line, it is never appropriate to say 'go stand over there', unless you have FIRST ascertained that they are in the wrong place.

Simply blocking someone's way is wrong.

The correct approach is 'Excuse me sir, may I see your boarding pass/ticket'

Or are you suggesting that everyone who wants to check in in any other than the cattle class lane should hold their ticket/FF card aloft, to avoid being pushed by staff judging by appearances?

gt_croz

As meester69 said, there is an important difference between politely asking for my boarding pass and immediately assuming that I don't belong there and directing me to a long queue at the kiosks.

If my natural reaction of smiling to being singled out makes me appear smug, so be it. If she had asked me for my boarding pass I would have politely complied. Despite what you seem to assume, I prefer pleasant exchanges to confrontation.

Mr H

I've deleted earlier posts. There's no point in getting sucked into a personal argument.

GUWonder

It still happens, but less than it used to say closer to a decade ago or more.

Christopher

I agree that — as a generalisation — you are probably more likely to be looked at askance in a three-star hotel with pretensions to hauteur than in a true five-star establishment.