News and notes from around the interweb:
- United makes you jump through new hoops to print a boarding pass at kiosks pushing electronic alternatives (email or text you a boarding pass)
[I]f you check-in/need to re-print a boarding pass at a United self service kiosk, you’ll first be prompted to retrieve it on the United app.
When you’re done adding documents/bags, etc. one option is to “get digital boarding pass”, and it will first give you the choice of getting a mobile BP texted to you or a PDF emailed to you.
Underneath there’s a “more options” button which will only then allow you to print a paper boarding card.
- What’s wrong with Marriott Bonvoy (and is it still better than Hilton and IHG?)
- For some carriers, operating out of West Palm Beach airport becomes impossible with Trump returning to office (HT: Nate)
- List of Hyatts with lazy rivers my preference is for Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio.
- Don’t sleep on Hotels Tonight…
Marriott app versus Hotel Tonight
byu/ErrorSerious2678 inmarriott - Abandoned 727 sells for $10,000
- I was sort of looking forward to Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman but it’ll be managed by Aimbridge which in my view is who you hire when you don’t want to spend money on maintenance.
- Etihad leases London Heathrow slots from American Airlines remember when American made a show up not doing business with Etihad because of state subsidies (which American has gotten even more of)?
Paper costs money. Maintaining printers costs money. QR codes that change every 30 seconds is harder to forge.
I lost my phone while traveling last week. I was glad that the kiosk at IAD on Tuesday was still able to print out a paper boarding pass.
On the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman:
Any idea what ‘category’ this will be? I searched but could not find; though, I doubt it would be a category 4 or less. Just saying, it would be nice to use the free nights with the Chase Hyatt cards for a stay there.
On timing, their website says ‘expected 2025’, but they are not taking reservations yet, so not a great sign. Reminds me of that Ritz-Carlton in Portland, Oregon, which kept getting pushed back, again and again. Or, like how IHG’s Six Senses brands promote new properties and destinations, then scrap them altogether without a peep. A lot of ‘hype’ these days.
Grand Cayman already has a luxurious alternative with the relatively-new Kimpton Seafire. I’d stay away from the Ritz-Carlton as its become dated. But at least those two are actually on Seven Mile Beach; whereas, this new Hyatt is not really on that beach–look on a map, it’s further south, on the rocks, not directly connected–I suspect it will be hard for Hyatt to overcome that negative.
@ Denver Refugee
Stop defending these greedy companies. If you’re standing in front of a kiosk and need a boarding pass there’s no reason the kiosk shouldn’t have a big box highlighted that says “Print Boarding Pass.”
Stop defending passengers who apparently can’t be bothered to prepare before going to the airport.
I am shocked that Hyatt is allowing a Grand Hyatt to be operated by a third-party, especially one with the reputation of Aimbridge. Aimbridge just lost the Westin and Buoy House, Autograph Collection properties on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands because they are awful.
Yes, Marriott seems to often charge more to its members than to 3rd party reservations. I’ve booked several via 3rd party this past year, as the points aren’t valuable enough to overcome the difference in cost. I can only assume they believe their loyal customers are OK paying more for not much extra out of the program.
Airline tickets used to be paper. It was like cash- if you lost it you were screwed.
Some people just don’t like change. For me, it’s just one less piece of paper
Curious to see how they expect those without smart phones to fly? Yes there are those people, my father (80) and father in law (77) do not have smart phones but still are capable of traveling. What if you lose your phone or it dies while traveling? Will next up be you need to carry a “backup phone” just in case?
Does the Marriott lowest price guarantee not work with “hotel tonight”? I used it a couple years ago with a booking.com price and was very happy to get the diff plus 25%
Is it possible to fly without a smartphone?
I want a paper boarding pass if I have a connection, especially a short one. I can leave my phone in airplane mode in my backpack and it’s one less thing to get lost while deplaning. Paper boarding passes are folded in my right rear pants pocket, where they have been for the last 30 years.
wow that podcast was insanely depressing
I always have a paper boarding pass. Electronics can fail for a number of reasons. Maybe if enough people have trouble finding the print button and require assistance, United will change their interface to make it easier.
Anybody else hoping to see someone kick one of the kiosks to pieces like it’s a middle seat? If it happens, I’m a vote for jury nullification in that case as long as no people (or pets) are injured.
(To be clear, “my phone is dead” is a sincere issue at times, dead zones and cell issues can happen, and I’ve had far too many flights where I couldn’t get the at-seat charging system to work.)
An open request to all future presidnts. You have to travel a lot for business. And, yes, it is a darn tough job. But, how about stay home more often (i.e., the White House)? It wastes our money, disrupts our travel, and isn’t a good look when you fly off for just a weekend.