sbrower: In an unusual (for me) display of guilt-filled overcompensation, I tipped housekeeping $10, and the concierge $10. Nothing for guest services, though. And nothing for the "clerk" who wagged her head at me.

Actually, I never "complained" to anyone at the front desk. When I went to the front desk to get my itemized invoice (the one that was slid under my door was incomplete, otherwise I would never have gone up there in the first place) at checkout, I simply asked if Platinum members were comped on local phone calls. I was irritated not by her answer so much as her attitude. It would have been fine with it had she explained that the perk was only available at the lower-service brands (as others have explained to me here on this board). But she didn't. She looked at me like I was crazy (which, I can assure you, I am not) and waggled her head.

The housekeeper who cleaned my room, on the other hand, did a terrific job, and was very nice to boot (I ran into her in the hallway a few times). And the folks in the concierge lounge have been terrific, as well. So they get the extra cash.

As mouthy as I can get on message boards, I am not much of a "complainer" in real life. I worked too many years behind the counter in a retail establishment to find boorish, combative, face-to-face complaining either particularly effective or gratifying. I prefer the "shower them with kindness" approach (which, with a few exceptions, usually works).

[This message has been edited by Bravo Papa (edited 12-19-2001).]