Online travel agency sites will rebate you free stays regardless of chain. It used to be that hotel programs let you earn rewards regardless of where you booked, but that’s no longer true. Now the programs are a reward for where you book – and the hotel programs themselves specify both where you book and where you stay. But they’re a lot less rewarding than they used to be!
Hotels
Category Archives for Hotels.
New Remarkably Ungenerous Marriott Promotion You Should Register For Now
Hotels are full and hotel promotions are less generous. But since we’re past the packed summer months, with kids back in school, we at least do have hotel promotions. Marriott is now out with theirs for stays between September 21 and December 15.
IHG Hotels Hacked, Systems Down
Several readers asked me yesterday what to make of IHG hotels’ systems being down. I figured “it’s just poor IT” and things will return to normal eventually. That remains true, but the hotel giant acknowledges they’ve been hacked.
Marriott Charges Resort Fees To Hotels That Want To Charge You Resort Fees
Marriott actually makes hotels pay them for the right to charge you a resort fee. Having just audited the franchise agreement for their AC Hotels and Westin brands, I found it fascinating that they charge a one-time $1500 fee, plus $550 per year, to hotels that bill customers resort or destination fees. Marriott also has the right to exempt elite members from paying resort fees, under their franchise agreement, but doesn’t do this.
How Much Marriott Hotels Have To Pay When Bonvoy Members Stay
Marriott claimed over 140 million members at the end of 2019. At some brands members represent about two thirds of revenue. Based on franchise disclosures, the average Marriott Bonvoy member pays AC Hotels a $200.74 daily room rate and at Westin hotels it’s a $185 daily room rate. Guests aren’t customers, they’re Marriott’s product – and the product that all hotel chains sell to hotel owners. While hotel chains push ‘book direct’ as a way of lowering costs, distribution isn’t free. Franchisees pay more for Bonvoy members than non-members, on the theory that Marriott is delivering these “leads” to hotels. And those fees fund points that members earn. For Westin in 2021, Marriott is charging 4.2% of “qualifying revenue generated by customers earning loyalty points or miles” for the cost of Bonvoy, not including bonus…
The Dirty Little Secret Of Chain Hotels Bringing Back Daily Housekeeping
may not be how things work in practice and the housekeeping you receive may not be the housekeeping you’ve come to expect.
They will make the bed (not change sheets), replace towels, and take out trash. They’ll restock the coffee, but ‘supplies’ are pretty limited since most properties are using wall-mounted toiletries anyway.
The Secret Code The Bellagio Hotel Uses To Identify Their Noir Elite ‘Whale Gambler’ Customers
The Bellagio hotel now gives black plates and black napkins at the buffet to Noir members to identify them visually to staff for better treatment
American Airlines Elites Get 90 Days Of Free Hyatt Status
American Airlines AAdvantage elites – even mere Gold members – can register for Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days. Then there’s a path to keep status through February 2024.
Hurry: One Night Only, Most IHG Hotels In Most Cities Up To 85% Off Points
For the night of Saturday, August 5, 2023 – generally the last night bookable at the end of IHG’s calendar right now – most hotels in most cities that have loaded reward night inventory are pricing at just 16,000 points per night.
Quick Review: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort And Spa
I just spent a couple of nights at Hyatt Regency Hill Country. I live in Austin, so you might expect me to head out to the Lost Pines property for a sort-of staycation. But it wasn’t the resort we were after as much as a great jumping off point for SeaWorld San Antonio, which is basically across the street.