Monday, June 02, 2008

At Westin, I’m not so preferred a guest after all

I don’t deserve points for my night at the Westin Providence

When I’m traveling on business, I rarely pay for my own hotel room. Most business travelers don’t. You may use your own corporate credit card, but you submit the expense for reimbursement. I’m an independent consultant, and I use my own credit card, then add the hotel and other travel expenses to my invoice. Business as usual.

Every now and then, a client books my hotel room for me, and occasionally, one of them actually pays for the room. Such was the case tonight, when I checked into the Westin Providence. I was surprised, though, when I handed the desk clerk my Starwood Preferred card and was told that I would not be credited with any points because somebody else was paying for the room.

I’ve been a business road warrior for nigh on 12 years, and this is the first time I have ever had my affinity card rejected because the client was picking up the tab. Of course, there would have been no question about getting points if my stay was going on my corporate American Express card. Never mind that I’d turn around and invoice my client that cost.

Frankly, I didn’t know until I got here that my client had already picked up the hotel tab. If the fact that I’m spending the night here—me, a member of the rewards program—isn’t enough to credit me with the points (my client isn’t going to get them after all), then I’ll make a point of staying in other hotels that don’t have such absurd policies. That would include—let me see now—all of them except Westin. Way to lose a customer, Starwood.

Posted by Shel in • Hotels
(5) Comments • Permalink

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  1. holy crap!

    I just spent about 15 minutes on your site, and I can’t believe how big of a whiner you are…

    once in a while, you ought to post the positive.

    I pity the wife you refer to.

    (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  06/03  at  05:19 AM

  2. You don’t get it, do you, JZ? When you spend your life on the road, you can lay in bed upset about travel providers who don’t offer the service they promise, or you can get it off the chest on your blog. I don’t care if you read this—in fact, please stay way! For me, it’s cathartic. Sorry you don’t understand that.

    Shel Holtz  on  06/03  at  09:23 AM

  3. I have had it happen at Holiday Inn before. Delta gives points to the person sitting in the seat not the one paying, hotels should follow suit.

    Frick  on  06/03  at  11:23 AM

  4. that’s obnoxious.  I also imagine your client would prefer you get the benefit.  I know both our companies are all about letting us keep our points/miles for ourselves.  I’m not sure it should be any different in a consulting situation.

    Amanda  on  06/22  at  11:24 AM

  5. It sad..I’m always surprised how negatively staffs in some hotels seem to act.

    Mount Beauty Accommodation  on  11/27  at  01:46 AM

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