After being called a "tightwad from the smallest of companies" in print this year, I'm now forced to use nothing *but* opaques for my business travel, or risk being tarred and feathered by everyone I know who read that blasted article.

The equation to me is simple: I'm an employee-owner of the company, and our business travel is rarely billable back to our customers, ergo, it behooves me to stay for as little as possible. Also, while I may whine about cheap hotel pillows (Hyatt Regency Vancouver, are you listening? *Your* crappy pillows were specifically mentioned in my USAToday interview, but the reporter was nice enough to redact the worst of my vitriol - oh, wait, I'm off on a rant), I am remarkably tolerant of almost any clean, comfortable 2.5 star or better property for business trips, so, Priceline it is.

Do I miss the points? Yeah, but I save more than enough money to pay for that swank suite on leisure trips. I don't have to be worried that I won't be upgraded as an Unobtanium Elite Mondo Executive Premier - I'm guaranteed the room I want. I'm still a ridiculously "elite" guest to the properties I visit frequently (and get treated accordingly - could it be my policy of using some of the money I save to overtip, or is it that I know which desk clerks like flowers and which ones like Scotch and which ones kill for Callebaut chocolate? Dunno.). I just don't have the systemwide recognition. Big whoop - if I want chocolates and bottled water, I can buy my own with the money I'm saving even off a good negotiated rate.

Eric


[This message has been edited by VibeGuy (edited 10-10-2003).]