Category Archives for Hotels.
A California hotel clerk saw Israeli passports at check-in, confronted the guests as “Zionists” and “baby killers,” filmed the exchange, and then posted it himself. The hotel says he no longer works there — but the video captures exactly why guests should not have to pass a political loyalty test to get a room.
Hyatt’s big award chart overhaul is now live, and members are already seeing free nights price up to 67% higher at some top hotels. But Hyatt itself warned that this year’s changes are only the setup: the new five-tier pricing structure is in place now, and the broader damage doesn’t hit until next year.
Hilton used to rely on promotions to make Honors earning competitive. Now the points are worth less, the bonuses are smaller, and this summer’s offer can amount to just $2 a night — or less.
Marriott elite upgrades are supposed to be a loyalty benefit. But hotels are increasingly turning better rooms and suites into auctions, asking even top-tier members to bid for upgrades they expected to receive free — and warning that dozens of other guests may already be competing for the same rooms.
Rove Miles is running a short-term promo that makes the program more interesting for both hotel bookings and shopping portal spend: bonus miles on first-time hotel reservations, up to 15x at select merchants, and transferable points that can move to partners like Japan Airlines, Air Canada, Air France KLM, Qatar, Lufthansa, and more. Rove can be useful for hotel bookings where you still earn hotel points and elite credit.
A Marriott guest used mobile check-in, arrived at the Fairfield Inn East Hartford, and found the hotel closed — with other would-be guests standing in the parking lot too. And Marriott’s Ultimate Reservation Guarantee does not apply when the hotel is not open, which is exactly when guests need it most.
Hyatt told members they could still book free nights before the new award prices kicked in. Then, as members rushed to use points before the deadline, Hyatt’s website and app started failing — turning a devaluation into a rug pull.
New York City hotel housekeepers are set to earn more than $100,000 under a new union contract, with hotels still covering health benefits. That is great for workers — but it also changes the argument for tipping, especially in a city where union-backed rules have restricted hotel supply, raised room rates, and made guests pay more before they ever left after their stay.
Wyndham Rewards is adding Applebee’s delivery inside its app and pitching it as a way to “redefine room service.” That may be overselling boneless wings in a brown bag, but guests get waived delivery fees on eligible orders, 10 Wyndham points per dollar, and the convenience of food delivered straight to the room instead of meeting a driver in the lobby.
A black bear managed to lock itself inside a Tennessee hotel bathroom, leaving Gatlinburg police to crack the door open with a two-by-four and let it walk out like an embarrassed guest. The bear escaped with only one reported casualty: a $50 bathroom mirror.
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 »
