Triangle Trip

Furthering my previous post regarding hotel best practices when you’re staying at a hotel for an extended period of time, here are a few more tips:

1.  Feel free to leave a bag at the bell desk or concierge. If you don’t want to carry your toiletry going through TSA, just bring an extra duffle bag and leave the bag with the front desk or bell hop when you check out. Not only should you leave your toiletry, you should look to leave your workout gear, or any outfit for the climate. This works well if you are traveling to a different climate, you should always leave a jacket, sweater, fleece, etc. that you may not need at home.  You’ll be lighten your load on your weekly commute and the people behind you at the security checkpoints will thank you for it!

2.  Always tip the bell hop or concierge if you’re asking them for a favor like holding your bag over the weekend. A good suggestion is $2-5 per bag (adjusting to locale and inflation), depending on your relationship. This goes along way with the staff – these guys are the heart and soul of the hotel. I typically tip on drop off and pick up.

Sometimes a souvenir from your home has more mileage. For example, bring the hotel staff “I Love NY” t-shirts if you’re from NYC or some Ghirardelli chocolate if you’re from San Francisco.

Don’t be afraid to ask for the services that you’d normally have to earn or pay for at the hotel. Below are the things that you should ask for and would most likely get:

1.  Ask for an upgraded room or simply a better room (like closer to the elevator or away from the ice machine, etc.). There’s no reason why your request wouldn’t be met.

2.  Ask for a discounted or client rate by letting the staff know that you’ll be there for an extended period of time for a client. This works especially well if you are in a group (i.e., traveling with team members)!

3.  Ask the hotel staff to book your future reservations so you don’t have to call or reserve online every week (don’t worry, you have up to the previous day of arrival or 6pm on the date of arrival to cancel for each reservation).

4.  If the hotel charges for Internet, ask for the service to be complementary or get the hotel manager to get your hotel status to a level where it is free (see previous post). You may not get platinum status day one but it will help in the long run.

5. If you do not have hotel status, ask the manager to make it happen. We have gotten entry level silver and gold status at Hilton and SPG (Four Points, Sheraton, etc.) when we were rookies. Hotels still honor loyalty unlike airlines.

The Coach ft. Captain G

As someone who has spent too many nights at hotels and at one hotel for extended periods, I would like to share the following best practices with you:

1.  If you’re going to be at the same hotel for an extended period of time, always make multiple bookings for weeks in the future. For example, you will be at the Marriott for the next two months, make your bookings from Monday to Thursday/Friday for eight weeks straight. 99% of the major hotels do not have early deparature charges, cancellation fees or require deposits for making extended room reservations. Just make sure you call to cancel ahead of time.

2.  In the event that you forgot the cancel, most hotels are very forgiving and apply credit to your next night/stay. If you missed the cancellation window and don’t want the hotel to charge your card, simply call the front desk and tell them your flight was delayed. It works every time.

3.  Always use your client’s rate. Generally the client you are working for or a company near by the hotel has a preferred rate with the hotel chain. Call the chain to find out if there are discounts available for you. For example, you are doing work for Cisco in San Jose and you want to stay at the Hilton on Santa Clara Blvd. Call the Hilton and tell them you would the Cisco rate. Most hotels would honor your rate even though you are not an employee. I am also sure my audience can come up with creative ways at check-in to secure the rate if an employee ID is required 😉

Enjoy your stays at the hotels. Hope everyone’s capitalizing on the SPG & Hyatt bonus promotions.