Triangle Trip

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.

As a frequent commuter from JFK to LAX, I just received an email from ghetto Delta telling me they have moved all JFK to LAX flights from Terminals 2 or 3 to Terminal 4. Terminal 4 is one of the worst terminals in JFK and Northworst departs from that terminal. I guess ghetto Delta and Northworst merger is taking shape.

Although I have not flown from JFK to LAX on Terminal 4 but I can image it can be a nightmare if Delta has to switch out an aircraft. If there are gate changes on my flight, I would have to go take the inefficient JFK Airtrain then through security again in Terminal 2 or 3 as they are not connected to Terminal 4. I am wondering which operations genius at Delta thought of this change.

On a brighter note, Fly Clear is supposedly available in Terminal 4 as well. I will be flying from JFK to LAX in March. Look forward to updating y’all on my experience.

I just got an email from USAir [US-Scare] telling me that they are bringing back free soft drinks starting March 1, 2009. I was going to write a post blasting US-Scare late last year for charging me $2 for an orange juice that came from a can. I also saw the flight attendant charging another passenger for water. I was on a 5 hour flight (JFK to PHX). Holding your customers hostage on a 5+ hour flight to get another $2 to $4 (some may need two drinks) does not make business sense.

I am not sure who is running marketing at US-Scare but Doug Parker (the CEO) better start to look for a new head of marketing. Fernand Fernandez was the signer of the email but I am sure Fernand reports to another old guy in the industry who needs to be replaced. Emails like “We’re bringing back free drinks” will not work unless drinks mean Glenlivet 25!