World of Hyatt is making changes to elite benefits for 2024, and they are mostly good. All awards like upgrades and free nights become transferable, and more benefit choices are being added as members stay every 10 nights. It’ll be possible to confirm a suite and try out top tier benefits after fewer nights, while their Guest Of Honor benefit will be more flexible – but no longer unlimited.
Hotels
Category Archives for Hotels.
Travel Companies Are Hanging On To Hidden Fees Because Fraud Works
There’s a simple reason that annoying fees are prevalent in travel. They work. Customers spend more money. And in some cases politics and the tax code encourage them.
John Arnold shares what happened at StubHub when they tested an elimination of hidden fees for some customers: those who were shown transparent all-in pricing spent less money.
How Hotels Blow It When Delivering Amenities
The blog post explores the challenges hotels face in personalizing amenities for guests, highlighting the complexities of catering to diverse preferences and the occasional missteps, like inappropriate gifts or failing to recognize guest preferences. It emphasizes the impact of well-executed amenities, using personal experiences and industry insights to illustrate how getting it right can significantly enhance guest satisfaction.
Shocking Racism and Assault Scandal At Marriott Renaissance Center
Allegations have surfaced against the private security force at the Marriott Renaissance Center, originally founded by General Motors, involving over a dozen years of racially motivated abuse and violence against African American guests and visitors. Incidents include a severe beating resulting in a brain injury to guest Demarko Brown, the detainment and humiliation of an African American woman, and other cases of harassment and excessive force, raising serious concerns about racial discrimination and safety at the facility.
Say What? Now Hotel Booking Websites Want Tips Too
Airport self-checkout kiosks demand tips. I’ve even had one that wouldn’t allow opting out.
In fact, websites now solicit tips. You never even deal with a human. You book a hotel, and boom – please add on to the charges!
Hyatt Rolling Out Online Confirmation Of Suite Upgrades
Hyatt is rolling out confirmation of suite upgrades online. This is a big advance in convenience for using these suite upgrade awards. I always worry that inventory will disappear during the time it takes to confirm a suite. I also worry that the manual process won’t be completed correctly.
Marriott Still Has A Free Night Award Chart, They Just Hide It From You (Here It Is, Revealed)
In March 2022 Marriott officially eliminated award charts. It turns out that Marriott didn’t actually eliminate award charts they just hid them and raised prices.
Hotel Valet Stole Guest’s $120,000 Audi – Then He Got Carjacked At Gunpoint
A hotel valet stole a guest’s Audi RS7, only to be carjacked at gunpoint while off the property. The stolen car was later found abandoned and completely destroyed, highlighting the bizarre and dramatic ordeal.
Marriott Suite Upgrade Benefit Changes For 2024: Don’t Expect To Stay In Suites
Marriott is set to implement changes to their suite upgrade award process in 2024, transitioning from “Suite Night Awards” to “Nightly Upgrade Awards” and expanding the program to include more participating brands and room types. However, the new system will process upgrades only 3 days before arrival, and while there’s an increase in room inventory for upgrades, the focus will shift from guaranteed suite upgrades to a broader range of room types.
Use Gift Cards To Top Off Hyatt Elite Status – For This Year Or Next
Here’s the trick. Since these gift cards don’t expire, you can choose when you want future stays through the Mr. and Mrs. Smith group to count towards status.
If you need to top off status this year, buy gift cards now and hit your status goal Or get a head start on next year. If you qualify for status early in 2024, that status will count for the rest of 2024 and for 2025 (through end of February 2026).