Originally Posted by boyzkiss
Funny-strange or maybe just a difference in attitude? I've been HHonors since 1990? and never travel based on business. My stays are all pleasure. I was Diamond (and current) the 1st year it came out (at least that is what I have been lead to believe.) Anyway, my observation: the staff has always complimented me on my attitude and demeanor. I treat the staff as 'real' people and in return receive that respect consistently on 99% of my stays. Various staffs, from misc. properties, have privately said, when they realized I was never on business, how they appreciate not having to deal with the whinny, socially stuffy/pretentious business travelers. Though they say I 'look' the part, and I do realize 'appearance' does make a difference to the hotel staff, I firmly believe, based on my zillion stays, a non condescending, less demanding attitude speaks volumes. Rules are rules and upgrades and such will continue to be, good/bad, ruled by our fallible human behavior. Simply an observation based on my consistent 'pleasure' stays -vs- business travel. Life could be far worse and no one takes pleasure dealing with ‘entitlement’ or ‘elitist’ mentality. HAPPY HOLIDAY'S, Jason
I am in the same situation as Jason - I only stay on leisure / pleasure - not on business - I just travel about a lot as I get bored easily. I always treat all of the staff with a good attitude and have a laugh and a joke with them if they are nice - I often get good upgrades - especially at places where I stay the most such as London Park Lane, Cannes, Caledonian. However there are times where you get a bad apple, where a staff member is rude or not playing ball - in this case I get my rule book out (not literally). This can also work as long as you are in the right - it does grate me that I seam to know the HH rules and procedures better than most of the staff. Like the spouse stays free rule - it amaizes me the number of times I have had to call HH to clear things up at check-in.
Anyway - the moral of the story is most of the time the staff are friendly and happy to help. BUT it does help to know your HH stuff and the golden Hilton rule on any subject is - it they say no - just ask someone else or call back and ask again!