Globalist Concierge Advice
Mar 5, 2019, 6:41 pm
#106
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I just applied TSUs to two upcoming stays. I did it on the phone (globalist line) and it took 5 minutes, with no hold time.
I'm not sure I understand what I'm supposed to be using the concierge for. I got assigned Michelle who is supposed to be really good, but I don't understand how adding another layer of communication between me and the hotel is supposed to make my life easier.
Re: car service... I don't get it. I often get offers from the hotel to arrange a car service. They are always ridiculously expensive (like, 3-4x a cab). And it's just a regular car -- not a limo or anything, with no service beyond what a cab provides. I'm not sure why I'd pay a few extra hundred dollars for one of these rather than just hop in a cab?
I'm not sure I understand what I'm supposed to be using the concierge for. I got assigned Michelle who is supposed to be really good, but I don't understand how adding another layer of communication between me and the hotel is supposed to make my life easier.
Re: car service... I don't get it. I often get offers from the hotel to arrange a car service. They are always ridiculously expensive (like, 3-4x a cab). And it's just a regular car -- not a limo or anything, with no service beyond what a cab provides. I'm not sure why I'd pay a few extra hundred dollars for one of these rather than just hop in a cab?
Depending on the hotel, it can be a limo. Some properties have a choice of vehicles at different price points, and it's not unusual to get an upgraded vehicle for free.
In some locations, car service is much safer or easier than taking a regular taxi at the airport, and the car service arranged by the hotel is easy and presumably safe and of reasonably high qualify.
IME I'm more likely to get early access to my room/suite and other perks when I book the hotel's car service. In some properties, the driver contacts the hotel with an updated ETA and I've had assistant managers meet me at the vehicle at the hotel's carriage entrance to welcome me and even do the check in procedure. YMMV.
In some locations, car service is much safer or easier than taking a regular taxi at the airport, and the car service arranged by the hotel is easy and presumably safe and of reasonably high qualify.
IME I'm more likely to get early access to my room/suite and other perks when I book the hotel's car service. In some properties, the driver contacts the hotel with an updated ETA and I've had assistant managers meet me at the vehicle at the hotel's carriage entrance to welcome me and even do the check in procedure. YMMV.
Mar 5, 2019, 7:51 pm
#108
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Depending on the hotel, it can be a limo. Some properties have a choice of vehicles at different price points, and it's not unusual to get an upgraded vehicle for free.
In some locations, car service is much safer or easier than taking a regular taxi at the airport, and the car service arranged by the hotel is easy and presumably safe and of reasonably high qualify.
In some locations, car service is much safer or easier than taking a regular taxi at the airport, and the car service arranged by the hotel is easy and presumably safe and of reasonably high qualify.
I just got an offer from the GH Tokyo to set up car service for me, so this topic is kind of fresh in my mind.
It's just a "Regular Sedan" (their words, not mine). 24,000 yen from HND or 48,000 yen from NRT.
From experience I know that a taxi from HND to that hotel is about 8,000 yen (which is still not cheap, but reasonable -- in line with other high-priced cities), and of course perfectly safe.
I have no doubt that the hotel gets a nice kickback for getting guests to book this (clearly overpriced) car service.
Mar 5, 2019, 7:53 pm
#109
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Mar 5, 2019, 8:00 pm
#110
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Applying TSUs is one thing I use my Glob concierge for, as then I don't even have to spend 5 minutes on it.
Mar 5, 2019, 8:14 pm
#111
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
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True, it probably depends on the destination (there are some parts of the world where taking a taxi is a bad idea).
I just got an offer from the GH Tokyo to set up car service for me, so this topic is kind of fresh in my mind.
It's just a "Regular Sedan" (their words, not mine). 24,000 yen from HND or 48,000 yen from NRT.
From experience I know that a taxi from HND to that hotel is about 8,000 yen (which is still not cheap, but reasonable -- in line with other high-priced cities), and of course perfectly safe.
I have no doubt that the hotel gets a nice kickback for getting guests to book this (clearly overpriced) car service.
I just got an offer from the GH Tokyo to set up car service for me, so this topic is kind of fresh in my mind.
It's just a "Regular Sedan" (their words, not mine). 24,000 yen from HND or 48,000 yen from NRT.
From experience I know that a taxi from HND to that hotel is about 8,000 yen (which is still not cheap, but reasonable -- in line with other high-priced cities), and of course perfectly safe.
I have no doubt that the hotel gets a nice kickback for getting guests to book this (clearly overpriced) car service.
Mar 5, 2019, 8:58 pm
#112
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Me too, for about 3,000 yen one way, sometimes with a several day subway ticket included (look for signs when buying ticket at the airport). From HND, IIRC the limobus is more like 1,000 yen (although I remember different prices for night and day), which again is a lot less than a taxi or the hotel's car service. However, to/from HND, it's pretty reasonable to take a regular taxi if the limobus schedules aren't timed well for your flights or just to save a bit of time.
Mar 5, 2019, 10:10 pm
#113
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
From HND, IIRC the limobus is more like 1,000 yen (although I remember different prices for night and day), which again is a lot less than a taxi or the hotel's car service. However, to/from HND, it's pretty reasonable to take a regular taxi if the limobus schedules aren't timed well for your flights or just to save a bit of time.
Can consider Uber for a nicer ride at similar if not slightly lower fares than the taxi (all Uber is Black in Tokyo, so will get at least a Crown if not an Alphard type vehicle).
Mar 6, 2019, 5:28 am
#114
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: everywhere
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist , Bonvoy Titanium United Silver AA Platinum, AS Gold 75K
Posts: 97
In some locations, car service is much safer or easier than taking a regular taxi at the airport, and the car service arranged by the hotel is easy and presumably safe and of reasonably high qualify.
IME I'm more likely to get early access to my room/suite and other perks when I book the hotel's car service. In some properties, the driver contacts the hotel with an updated ETA and I've had assistant managers meet me at the vehicle at the hotel's carriage entrance to welcome me and even do the check in procedure. YMMV.
IME I'm more likely to get early access to my room/suite and other perks when I book the hotel's car service. In some properties, the driver contacts the hotel with an updated ETA and I've had assistant managers meet me at the vehicle at the hotel's carriage entrance to welcome me and even do the check in procedure. YMMV.
Mar 10, 2019, 10:32 pm
#115
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM (FO soon), A3 Gold, TK Classic Plus, SPG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Diamond, National EE
Posts: 1,003
What does it take to actually get connected to a concierge anyway? I've had a bunch of things that I would have used one for - but I haven't nbeen connected to one.
Mar 11, 2019, 10:19 am
#116
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Mar 11, 2019, 11:47 pm
#118
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,094
I have just been told that my (very) long term Concierge moved on to a different part of Hyatt (Viv. S).
She at least told me that this had happened but didn't know who I would be allocated.
She at least told me that this had happened but didn't know who I would be allocated.
Mar 12, 2019, 10:37 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Hyatt LIFETIME Globalist
Posts: 661