One Marriott Makes Tipping Mandatory By Charging Extra for Housekeeping

by Gary Leff

Sep 22 2017

Did you know that it’s possible to pay Marriott a room rate that doesn’t include housekeeping? It’s worse than an airline’s Basic Economy where you can pay for a seat without advance seat assignment or carry on bag, because housekeeping is still provided it’s just charged separately.

This isn’t like Starwood’s “Make a Green Choice” where you give up daily housekeeping in exchange for points. Your rate includes housekeeping but you can save the hotel money and receive a portion of the savings back. Instead you just pay more.

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Why London’s Uber Ban is a Disaster for Britain

by Gary Leff

hand holding phone, car in background
Sep 22 2017

Uber is still operating in London, but their license to continue to do so expires at the end of the month and it’s been announced that it will not be renewed.

To be clear Uber can appeal, and the regulatory decision spells out concerns that Uber will no doubt offer to placate, but the process wasn’t to judiciously negotiate with Uber it was to dramatically drop the hammer.

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United Will Roll Out Its New Overbooking Auctions By October 3

by Gary Leff

Sep 21 2017

Involuntary denied boardings are rare. They’re continuing to become even more rare. And when they happen there are usually volunteers at much lower amounts. Still the airline wants to process them better and cheaper, while they adopted a policy of going up to $10,000 getting to that amount would be a failure.

They also want to be able to sell more seats to people who want them the most.

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Earn $15 in Gift Cards For Each Restaurant Reservation

by Gary Leff

Sep 21 2017

A huge challenge for businesses with high fixed costs is how to unload spoiling inventory without lowering the price existing customers pay. Airline seats that take off empty generate nothing for the carrier. Hotel beds that go empty on a given night can’t be resold in the future.

Restaurants have empty seats, too the rent is paid for and there’s very little extra staff time at the margin on a given night when an extra customer walks through the door.

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