Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I won't do opaque hotel bookings. I've been burned in the past booking hotel rooms essentially blind (most recently- ground stop at ATL night and the last option that didn't involve sleeping in the airport, which in retrospect would have been far better and far safer) and in the land of 3-4* hotels, there can be a huge quality difference based on whether owners and management vaguely give a damn or not.
My sincerest apologies. Since I no longer travel, I am unable to contradict anything anyone has posted. I suppose there was a time I thought it was important to make sure each and every teensy tiny squib of information is exact and to the tee. Fortunately, I've come to realize it isn't.
Your choice. It's not just "BS fees" but also freebies with actual value like a hot breakfast and health club use.
They are only a value if you have the inclination to use them. Personally, I find many hotel "breakfasts" to be repulsive.
Quote:
Continental and United are the same carrier. There is zero distinction between them.
They are now. But, seeing that I have been doing this for 20 years, I know that there used to be quite the distinction. And, given the fact that CLE was a hub for Continental, I used them quite a bit. Then, when they merged, I was forced to use United. Get it?
Quote:
I use them.
Wonderful. You pay for them.
Quote:
I don't get nickel and dimed to death. Outside of parking, I can't think of the last time I paid for anything over and above my room and tax at a hotel.
In case you missed it the first 5 times it was mentioned, this is becoming a trend that will eventually affect you.
By the way, with Hilton brands you earn a free hotel night approximately every five stays.
Eh, not quite. Unless you're staying at the Waldorf and claiming the free night at a Hampton, it generally takes a minimum of 10.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mels
It doesn't. I was responding to this comment you made to me directly:
...and I am telling you, staying in a $600 USD/night hotel for free as many times as I'd like within the limits of my earned vacation time is what I consider "a perk" and not laughable by any means.
As for "BS surcharges," I am still failing to see why I should be outraged. Say no to the add-ons at the front desk or at the time of booking and be on your way. It is no different than what I do to the airlines: no to the extra legroom fee, no to checked baggage fee, etc. Slightly annoying but not enough to make me grab my torch and pitchfork.
Yes, but these "perks" are not free. You paid for them with either your time, money or both. That's your choice. I would also argue that anything of real value you "get" -like a week at the Waldorf- takes a long, long time to accrue. Therefore, it is a bit laughable to make it out to be some sort of generous windfall.
The point is that the average traveler should not have to request charges be removed from a bill for itemized BS. If the hotel really wants to charge for it separately, they should sell it separately at the point of check-in. Pools, safes, exercise rooms, etc. can all be coded for restriction. If they want to charge extra, it should be done as a POS entry with the confirmation of the guest.
If I had to spend that much time in a hotel on my dime, I'd be looking to rent an apartment instead.
It would not work. Locally, the choices for furnished apartments are $900 for Section 8 or $2200 for a corporate furnished place. I spent the better part of two months looking. The hotel is cheaper and has a better location. Besides, we will be moving around to different locales in the Midwest.
If I had to spend that much time in a hotel on my dime, I'd be looking to rent an apartment instead.
I believe that they have sold their home in tthe Chicago area and are relocating to Tucson. His wife needs to stay in the Chicago area intil Dec for job related reasons. Finding a furnished rental fir four months us difficult and, if you do, VERY EXPENSIVE. Those month to month executive relocation outfits out here in Raleigh/Durham were charging $2500+ when we looked in 2012. Plus deposits.
I'm sure what jlaurence has arranged would NOT be acceptable to you, Annerk. The horror of booking a stay thru Hotlne or Priceline would give you nightmares.
The REALITY is that there really are clean, comfortable, safe hotel rooms for $50-$100/night in most markets. Not downtown, but one doesn't always need to stay downtowm. This is not in your orbit. We get that about you. It's YOU who doesn't grasp that your travel style IS NOT the norm for most of America, whether they are on business and personal travels.
Last edited by Jkgourmet; 08-29-2014 at 04:51 AM..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
