BigLar gets interviewed!
 

I got an email yesterday from a journalist who is writing an article for Smart Money. The thrust of the article is about the trend of hotels to "up-scale" their offerings by adding suites, spas, etc. This trend is extending down the food chain.

Specifically, she saw some of my posts on FlyerTalk regarding suites at Hampton Inns and wanted to chat about just what they previded, whether the upgrade amenities had any effect on my choices, and so on.

She also stated she had emailed some other FT'ers --- didn't get any names, but I can't believe I'm the only one.

Anyhow, we had a pleasant chat, and she promised me she would let me know when (and if) the article is published. I'll do likewise.

I did make sure she had my name spelled right. :)

Hope she doesn't spin your comments. I think that has happened to well meaning FTers in the past. Congrats on the article!

I was interviewed too & also suggested she contact some other FTers.

I'm not sure I agree w/ the premise of the story (ie, hotels built lots of hotels in '90s & added tons of suites so we must be on easy street getting upgrades to suites now). Also, what constitutes a suite. She was focussing on domestic hotels rather than international.

She said before article was submitted she'd send it for fact-checking. Nice journalist; young, freelancer.

Cheers. Sharon...

Sounds like your opinions will be expressed as intended. Great to hear! I hear is a real fav of the locals that live near by! :D

Congratulations, interviewees! I hope the journo is not a Big Liar after interviewing BigLar and others... ;)

I was contacted once by journalists at WSJ and said that I'd be willing to do interviews as long as I was described as "a regular contributor to FlyerTalk.com", with or without my name or handle, but not both.

They refused to mention FT.

As the internet continues to function and grow as a tool for decentralized information aggregation and dissemination, the status quo media seem to be resisting revealing sources that are a potential competitor.

But FT works because so many of us contribute. So I "evangelize" the site all the time, and refuse to spread information without spreading the word about FT, in all my dealings.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I want all our best tips in WSJ.