There’s a fascinating article on Hilton’s investments in information technology in the August 12 issue of Hotels Magazine. Their system is called OnQ: OnQ is the IT centrepiece of a two-year-old Hilton customer relationship management (CRM) strategy – officially known as ‘customers really matter,’ though company wags prefer ‘customers rejecting Marriott,’ Hilton’s chief rival and the only other hotel company expanding at such a pace. The strategy is pinned on the idea that employees with a clearer idea of who customers are and what their past Hilton experiences have been can engineer constant improvement. The system is geared towards meeting customers’ preferences, speeding their checkin process, and in the future may allow Hilton to sell additional value-added products like theatre tickets based on show availability and guest interests.It can also tell the hotel chain when…
Looking Up Security Wait Times
Via MSNBC’s Savings Sleuth, the TSA launched a new website yesterday to give average and maximum wait times by airport based on previous month’s data.This isn’t real-time information (which would be better – the Virginia DMV used to offer it, so it’s certainly possible) but I’ll take it.
Cheap Ritz Carlton Nights
The Naples, Florida Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort is available for $129/night during the week through October 13th. Nice rate.
It’s not just Safeway and Vons anymore
Haagen supermarkets (Washington and Oregon) are offering Alaska Airlines miles for purchases through September 21 – including triple miles on Tuesdays.
Spin to Win AA Miles
Learn how to update your American Airlines profile and spin a wheel to win 50, 500, 5000, or 50,000 miles (or just a discount from HP shopping). (Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)
The government may grow but some things are still legal
At least unless a Dutch MP has his way The Dutch Labour party wants to pass a law making unsolicited toe-licking an offence after police were unable to prosecute a would-be Casanova with a taste for female toes because he had committed no crime.
More on Signaling and Anti-Trust
Several months ago I wrote that airlines used “fuel surcharges” rather than price increases as a way of signaling, announcing their intentions to change fares in an attempt to coordinate pricing with other carriers. They need to utilize these smoke signals so as not to run afoul of anti-trust laws. Or so they hope. American has settled a Justice Department probe, agreeing to a $3 million fine for violating terms of the 1994 decree by publishing certain fares with increased advance purchase requirements only for future travel dates, rather than current travel. This effectively reduced American’s risk of losing passengers to other airlines. American was publicly announcing future price changes which didn’t affect current bookings, and waited to see whether other carriers matched. If other airlines didn’t make similar changes, they could rescind their price…
Update on the 25,000 Mile Delta Offer
It’s been confirmed that the offer of 25,000 Delta miles for signing up as for an Intercontinental Hotels Ambassador Club membership is valid and open to everyone. (Thanks to Gary Steiger of Free Frequent Flyer Miles for doing legwork on this.) It’s a pretty great offer. For $150 you get 25,000 Delta miles, Ambassador status at Intercontinental hotels, Gold status at other Priority Club properties, and a free weekend night certificate valid on a two-night weekend stay.
More Tahiti deals
Yesterday I mentioned a special $340 roundtrip from LA to Tahiti with a very specific itinerary (one outbound flight, one return flight only). There are some other pretty good Tahiti deals going on with a little bit more flexibility, such as $899 per person (based on double occupancy) for air and six nights lodging on Moorea.
Flowers
The 30 United miles per dollar spent offer at FTD still works – and what a value! The banner welcomes United 1K members, but I’ve confirmed time and again that the offer works for anyone regardless of status with United.
