Hotels: Quality or Points?
Dec 7, 2001 | 9:42 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 4,343
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SanDiego1K:
Shangri-La hotels in Asia are terrific, and the Oberoi chain in India is excellent.
</font>
Shangri-La hotels in Asia are terrific, and the Oberoi chain in India is excellent.
</font>
For myself, I'd go for the points. I've had great service at some mid-range hotels and, honestly, how many TV sets and bathrooms can one person use?! Higher class hotels tend to charge more for extras that work (at least, places I've worked) won't pay for anyhow, so it's just more out of pocket expense for me if I want a drink or whatever.
I'd prefer to stay somewhere comfortable and get points that I can use later when on holiday.
Dec 7, 2001 | 9:43 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, Breezy 2
Posts: 12,608
In Premex's example, part of the boss' message is that exhorbitant luxury spending is a deliberate marketing tactic. So trying to save them money doesn't do them any favors.
Outside the US, I'd just take the best hotel and not worry about the points.
Inside the US, I'd make a list of the top three properties in each of the top 30 US cities, and prioritze them by chain:
1. Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton
2. Starwood
3. Best Independent
4. Other chains
For the non top 30 cities (where I usually go for work), I'd pick whatever chain suits my point needs from the best two properties.
Outside the US, I'd just take the best hotel and not worry about the points.
Inside the US, I'd make a list of the top three properties in each of the top 30 US cities, and prioritze them by chain:
1. Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton
2. Starwood
3. Best Independent
4. Other chains
For the non top 30 cities (where I usually go for work), I'd pick whatever chain suits my point needs from the best two properties.
Dec 7, 2001 | 10:01 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
My clients careless where we stay. My company cares that we don't stay at high-end properties. So when I book i try to find a good rate among the HHonors,Marriots or Starwood,starting next year I am trying to work on the Starwood program, but usually i look for quality first then points.
A little off topic. I am booked on Homestead Suites in downtown Austin, has anyone stayed here before? And there is no where in the it's website that tells me about how to earn miles or points with them...I guess there is nothing to gain from staying with them?
------------------
Regards,
Al
A little off topic. I am booked on Homestead Suites in downtown Austin, has anyone stayed here before? And there is no where in the it's website that tells me about how to earn miles or points with them...I guess there is nothing to gain from staying with them?
------------------
Regards,
Al
Dec 7, 2001 | 10:23 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
This should be a Hilton Property offering full points and elite bonus points and elite stay credit.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by afang:
My clients careless where we stay. My company cares that we don't stay at high-end properties. So when I book i try to find a good rate among the HHonors,Marriots or Starwood,starting next year I am trying to work on the Starwood program, but usually i look for quality first then points.
A little off topic. I am booked on Homestead Suites in downtown Austin, has anyone stayed here before? And there is no where in the it's website that tells me about how to earn miles or points with them...I guess there is nothing to gain from staying with them?
</font>
My clients careless where we stay. My company cares that we don't stay at high-end properties. So when I book i try to find a good rate among the HHonors,Marriots or Starwood,starting next year I am trying to work on the Starwood program, but usually i look for quality first then points.
A little off topic. I am booked on Homestead Suites in downtown Austin, has anyone stayed here before? And there is no where in the it's website that tells me about how to earn miles or points with them...I guess there is nothing to gain from staying with them?
</font>
Dec 7, 2001 | 10:56 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TrojanHorse:
This should be a Hilton Property offering full points and elite bonus points and elite stay credit.
</font>
This should be a Hilton Property offering full points and elite bonus points and elite stay credit.
</font>
------------------
Regards,
Al
Dec 7, 2001 | 11:43 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: MIDWEST
Posts: 468
I must say without a doubt Quality comes before points/miles. Who wants to master points if they sleep on cardboard? Or find one towel in the bathroom? Or have a very dark room. I HATE it when I come back at night and walk INTO A DARK ROOM! Dont care about the mints but light turned on!
With NW I get x amount of miles for every dollar at properties so it doesnt matter!
With NW I get x amount of miles for every dollar at properties so it doesnt matter!
Dec 8, 2001 | 5:46 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: JFK, SFO; UAL Lifer Gold; AA EP 3.9 MM; Hertz PC
Posts: 94
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wigstheone:
Hands down the best hotels, regardless of the lack of points....
One downside: it is very easy to get spoiled by the circumstances, which can become a problem if you switch employers (or your current employer changes policies) or when you vacation on your own dime.</font>
Hands down the best hotels, regardless of the lack of points....
One downside: it is very easy to get spoiled by the circumstances, which can become a problem if you switch employers (or your current employer changes policies) or when you vacation on your own dime.</font>
PremEx, I usually try to stay in a better hotel because the trains run on time. It is amazing how hard it is to get a fax, for instance, at anything but the top hotels. Or 24 hour edible room service. Or the many other things that I need to work. Then, there is the silly time I spend on the road, and the fact that I'll crack if I have to spend all that time in lousy hotels.
------------------
Dec 8, 2001 | 5:51 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: JFK, SFO; UAL Lifer Gold; AA EP 3.9 MM; Hertz PC
Posts: 94
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wharvey:
OK... I will be on the opposite side. I have a tendency to consider spending the company's dime as though it is my money. I personally could not justify the cost of the high end hotels personally... and cant professionally either.William</font>
OK... I will be on the opposite side. I have a tendency to consider spending the company's dime as though it is my money. I personally could not justify the cost of the high end hotels personally... and cant professionally either.William</font>
It's a funny thing--with new restrictions on spending, I *do* treat this decision as though it were my own money--I'll top up the difference between the corporate rate in some cities and the hotel I want to stay in with my own nickel (or dime).
------------------
Dec 8, 2001 | 5:57 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
This employer has no problem with you booking into the finest property a city as to offer, on their dime.</font>
This employer has no problem with you booking into the finest property a city as to offer, on their dime.</font>
I also hope that this company hasn't laid anyone off recently, while their manangers/directors are offering you the chance to stay in these 5 star hotels.I'm not trying to insult you personally (or anyone on this thread), but for business travel, in this day and age, can anyone justify to their shareholders that they need (need) to stay in the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton vs a Marriott, Westin, W, or Hyatt?
Now there could be exceptions. If they're looking to "wine and dine" prospective MBAs, or other "top talent". If they're looking to aquire another company, and want to project a certain image, there are other examples, and if it fits this bill, your question is already answered, and you may lose your points opportunity.
A better question is: Who they trying to impress? Is it really necessary? Could it backfire? Are you sure you want to join a company that spends their shareholder's money in this fashion? Plenty of dot coms spent money like this in the past, Will these guys be around in 5 years?
[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 12-08-2001).]
Dec 8, 2001 | 6:01 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge Vintage) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,111
Sko, Don't forget that many large corporations, law firms, etc. often have negotiated highly favorable (discounted) rates for their top personnel in these type of properties.
Dec 8, 2001 | 6:11 am
#30
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
I'd agree with TrojanHorse on this one. If its early in the year and I'm still concerned about keeping my top tier status for the following year I'd definately go for the points (i.e.: I go to Charlotte quite often & work 'uptown'--yet to keep my Starwood Plt status, I'll stay at the 'less than desirable Four Points', rather than one of the closer higher quality hotels). But later in the year--as in last week, I went for the Marriott City Center Club floor (where I'm not even silver--but have points to add on to). Which basically means I'll go for points/stays before really deluxe accomocations.