how protective are you about privacy when travelling?
Aug 14, 2017, 8:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
how protective are you about privacy when travelling?
At the rental car counter the agent asked where I was staying. I answered "different hotels" in hopes he would get the hint. He persisted. "Which are you going to stay at first?"
I did not tell him. Did I overreact? He has no need to know (he says they like to know where the car will be).
I did not tell him. Did I overreact? He has no need to know (he says they like to know where the car will be).
Aug 14, 2017, 8:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
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Posts: 3,870
I would probably have used the answer I gave up stream (I blame a lot on corporate security) in this circumstance.
Aug 14, 2017, 8:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Was the agent Indian? I'm not trying to be rude here, just elucidating a possible cultural motive for the question.
If somebody asks me where I'm staying, and I don't want them to know, I'll just say I don't know, I haven't booked a place yet.
If somebody asks me where I'm staying, and I don't want them to know, I'll just say I don't know, I haven't booked a place yet.
Aug 14, 2017, 11:38 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
No more information than necessary.
Aug 14, 2017, 11:39 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Nope. Agent was asking everybody that question. The people in front of me (the two I could hear) just answered it.
Aug 14, 2017, 11:52 pm
#9
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Recently I've noticed hotel front desk clerks that ask aloud to verify my email address. I don't appreciate other random people standing around in the area being able to hear this. It's especially bad for those whose email address contains their name. Plus, how many hotel chain elites do not have the correct email address in their profiles? Shouldn't the hotel assume that my email address is unchanged from the last time I stayed at the property, which was only last week?
Aug 15, 2017, 1:05 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Aug 15, 2017, 2:39 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: US Gold
Posts: 627
In such situations I generally ask why they want to know. Sometime in the last six months I remember someone at a passport check desk at Heathrow asked me the normal run of security questions, and then followed up with something I hadn't been asked before (I forget what), and before answering, I asked her, "Is this part of the security routine or are we just chatting now?" Of course, technically you should always assume that anything you say in those circumstances may be noted, but it still seemed worth asking. She said it was just chatting, I answered her question and the conversation ended pleasantly.
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Aug 15, 2017, 3:54 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
If I was asked this question, my first concern would be that they were trying to sell me accommodation. In my opinion, asking them why they are asking the question, as recommended by WendyG, is a good response.
Aug 15, 2017, 6:25 am
#13
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Posts: 14,222
Then they contact hotel snd say.... lost my wallet can you charge dinner to me or some other scam
Aug 15, 2017, 10:31 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Why not just tell the agent directly that it is none of his/her business?
Recently I've noticed hotel front desk clerks that ask aloud to verify my email address. I don't appreciate other random people standing around in the area being able to hear this. It's especially bad for those whose email address contains their name. Plus, how many hotel chain elites do not have the correct email address in their profiles? Shouldn't the hotel assume that my email address is unchanged from the last time I stayed at the property, which was only last week?
Recently I've noticed hotel front desk clerks that ask aloud to verify my email address. I don't appreciate other random people standing around in the area being able to hear this. It's especially bad for those whose email address contains their name. Plus, how many hotel chain elites do not have the correct email address in their profiles? Shouldn't the hotel assume that my email address is unchanged from the last time I stayed at the property, which was only last week?
I can't remember the last time I had to stop at the counter, but my response to such a question would be exactly as above.
Aug 16, 2017, 11:07 am
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
Unnecessary requests for information while traveling drive me mad. "Are you traveling for business or leisure?" is a favorite; unless it affects taxation (apparently the case in Berlin or a limited few other cities), it's none of the hotel's business.
The one that really, really got me was recently at the Delta Sky Club in Seattle; to take a shower, the operators of the spa asked me for my phone number. I protested strongly, and they insisted it was only so they could contact me if an item was lost or left behind. That seemed reasonable, so I acquiesced - only to receive text message spam with surveys and marketing information a few days later. I was furious at being lied to...
The one that really, really got me was recently at the Delta Sky Club in Seattle; to take a shower, the operators of the spa asked me for my phone number. I protested strongly, and they insisted it was only so they could contact me if an item was lost or left behind. That seemed reasonable, so I acquiesced - only to receive text message spam with surveys and marketing information a few days later. I was furious at being lied to...