News and notes from around the interweb:
- Qatar Airways is reportedly raising its stake in British Airways and Iberia parent IAG to 20%
- Lots of rumors about a new premium high-end card from Chase to be revealed soon. Doctor of Credit says it will be a Visa Infinite card (only the second in the U.S., along with one from City National Bank). We don’t know much about it at this point – but I do wonder how it will position relative to the mysterious Palladium card that President Obama has.
- The increased British Airways AARP discount has reverted to usual amounts.
- Unflattering review of Starwood’s new hotel in Cuba by Michael Weissenstein. (HT: @GlobeTrotScott)
But the rest of our experience was pretty unpleasant. The hotel had been rebranded with great fanfare a month earlier, including promised amenities like Starwood’s comfortable “signature beds.” But our mattress was saggy, with a stained decorative cover and flat sheet tucked over the sort of squeaky rubber pad used for bed-wetting children. When I investigated why a bedside lamp wasn’t working (due to a missing bulb), I realized that the entire wall-mounted light was loose and balanced in the sole position that kept it from collapsing.
I think most of the issues the writer had are explained by:
- Cuba
- It’s a Four Points
- Cuba
- Master Key for TSA Locks Leaked.. Again.
- Frontier Airlines is offering double miles on all flights booked between July 21 and August 18 for travel through September 30. Promo code 2XMILES.
- Travel tip: Don’t kick, punch, or otherwise attack police officers when your flight is delayed. (HT: One Mile at a Time)
Four Points aren’t anything close to what the writer described. That’s mostly just Cuba being Cuba.
I’ve stayed lots of Four Points, including and especially BKK.
Excellent for a quick trip business or pleasure.
Rooms fine, clean and well serviced.
Staff Service excellent.. location great !!
MUST BE CUBA
Four Points is weak but not that weak. Although, given Starwood’s miscues in this arena, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had tried to flag this as a Sheraton.
$250 !!! Maybe they should have had opening rates of $50 while they got their mattresses, etc. in place!
OTOH serving food that could kill people (hot food not kept at appropriate temperature can lead to some nasty illnesses) is NOT acceptable under any circumstances and it would be better not to have breakfast at all if they haven’t got basic food safety under control.
F—
I have stayed in many Four Points around the globe and never had any problems. It’s just Cuba being Cuba.