My recent stay at the Hyatt Centric Arlington (former Hyatt Arlington) was a case study in how to slap together a renovation. The bathroom countertops, floor tiles, and much of the wallpaper are the same as before the renovation.
There was little thought that had gone into my room even for those things that were changed, and consistent mis-execution during the stay. Here’s what I criticized:
The Andaz Maui rarely offers cash and points awards, which is fair, because those are voluntary. They restricted top tier elite suite upgrades to a new separate room type, poolside suites — a lesser room category that there’s only a few of on property.
They’re even tough to get an award night at, perhaps more than any other Hyatt hotel they’ve revealed the games a property can play to stretch the rules of a loyalty program.
I generally say business class is all about the seat and I believe that but I will also say that I love a larger pillow and 2 pillows plus the option for the gel pillow on United now in business class.
I realized what I am looking forward to least about an upcoming American Boeing 787-9 business class flight from Paris to Dallas — though that’s a netter seat — is the single tiny pillow, call me a teenage girl but I may buy a pillow in the Paris airport and toss it in Dallas on arrival.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Malaysian founder of AirAsia Tony Fernandes posted to his Instagram account a video of a cabin crew member performing Britney Spears Toxic.
Marriott announced today that they’ve surpassed 100 million members between Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest. That’s a huge data file to market to.
Earlier we learned that a ban on electronics was about to go into effect on flights to the U.S.
Now the Associated Press is reporting that the ban involves 9 airlines and 10 cities and is ‘indefinite’.
American is tight-fisted with award availability on its own flights. While transatlantic business class began tightening mid-2012, and transpacific business class 18 months later, we’ve seen that overall the percentage of American Airlines seats occupied by award passengers even at higher mileage costs has declined and is now less than on either United or Delta.
Passengers flying to the US on more than a dozen airlines are going to be required to check in all electronics larger than a cell phone. It’s a nearly-complete onboard electronics ban.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
