Tag: hotel

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Tip 44: Hotel apps are becoming more useful

Theme Night Director

Recently I had an overnight flight and arrived at the hotel many hours before the typical check-in time. I had assumed I would have to check my luggage with the hotel desk and walk around town sightseeing for a few hours before I would be able to access my room, however I had “checked in” to my hotel via the mobile app which I can only believe is what led to me being so lucky as to have priority to a ready room.

Just has checking in to planes as soon as possible allows you to pick good seats, it appears hotel app Check-in also has advantages. In addition, you can use these apps to order room service, request items you forgot, or ask for more towels, etc. We also enjoy having a “mobile key” where our phone serves as a replacement (or backup) to a physical key.

In essence, hotels are becoming more “digital” so you just may want to take advantage of that on your next stay!

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Tip 43: Motels vs Hotels in the US

Theme Night Director

I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel completely safe when people can access the door to your room without another layer of security. For this reason, I almost never stay in anything labeled a “motel” in the US as they are more often configured like the picture above.

We also never book a hotel without taking a detailed look at the photos on the hotel or booking website.

Reviews from past customers are also really helpful to give you a sense of the hotel security and safety of the surrounding area.

More on the definitions of hotel and motel here: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/difference-between-hotels-motels-2976.html

desk
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Tip 29: Maximizing frequent flyer miles

Theme Night Director

Did you know you can give a rental car company your airline frequent flier number to earn extra points?  The same works for hotels! It’s called “double dipping” or “crossover rewards”.  Next time you travel, ask if there is a benefit to giving the hotel, airline, or rental car company an additional rewards number to record in their system. Chances are you can earn more points!

Here’s some more info on the current programs that allow you to “double dip”: https://thepointsguy.com/2016/05/maximizing-crossover-rewards/

 

Hotel Room
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Tip 28: Hotel room sizes vary around the world

Theme Night Director

Hotel rooms vary in size around the world. A “double” in Paris, as an example, means it holds two people not two beds. Be sure to look at the details when booking.  In general, European hotel rooms are quite small. As are New York City rooms sometimes, as compared to other parts of the US.

The same goes for Airbnb or other home sharing sites. Just because it “sleeps 6” does not mean the accommodations are “normal”.  There could be couches, etc. involved or all 6 beds could be in the same room so you cannot assume there are separate bedrooms.