Posted on 11/16/2008 5:56:48 PM PST by Maelstorm
A few years ago, I dragged my carcass into a swanky Hawaiian resort, presented my credit card, and watched the front desk clerk turn ashen after entering a few keystrokes into her terminal.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Confused and exhausted after more than 20 hours of flying from London, I answered prosaically: "Joe Brancatelli." Then I tried a lame joke: "It's a common Hawaiian name."
"No, I mean, who are you?" she repeated before turning her monitor toward me and pointing to my guest profile.
Next to my name were six V's in front of V.I.P., about a dozen stars and the capitalized notation: "Maximum upgrade. Triple-A amenity. Alert G.M. and P.R. on arrival."
"I've never seen that," said the clerk. "You must be one important guy."
Obviously, I ain't. But I certainly didn't complain about the gigantic oceanfront suite or the cornucopia of fruit, flowers, chocolates, cookies, and red wine. The ultra-deluxe treatment was a perk from the hotel's public-relations woman, an old friend who'd convinced me to fly halfway around the world on short notice to give a speech.
You and I don't normally get V.V.V.V.V.V.V.I.P. attention. Only a select few rate: Celebrities, politicians, royalty, financial masters of the universe -- and the ultra-frequent travelers who are ushered into the unpublished, unpublicized, hush-hush secret societies operated by the airlines, hotels, and car-rental companies.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Consider yourself *highly* commended, sir.
(And thanks for your service: you are now a PREMIUM Freeper!)
You were lucky! I still haven’t been upgraded from “drywall” to “aluminum”. I still have to load the baggage hold and provide MY OWN parachute for deplaning!
I love doing this. No cop, fireman, or serviceman in uniform pays for food or drink when I'm in the house.
rofl!
So you’re the reason all the straight 2x’s are gone?
And I’m betting you took all the good cinder blocks, too. Am I right?
Yeah, I thought so.
Now that is the life! I’ve never been to Mexico. I’ll have to do it sometime.
I’d certainly give up a first class seat for someone in uniform. It sure is nice when you have accommodating stewardesses. :-)
That is always great. Most of my supervisors travel as much or more than I do. What I do find out is not everyone knows how to maximize their perks. Also I’ve found that a lot can be accomplished by just asking. There is nothing so sweet as getting upgraded to an executive suite.
I don’t like the screening much but I’ve found the best way to avoid it is to make sure you avoid having to switch airlines. It is a surefire guarantee that when you do you will get the dreaded SSSS code on your ticket. The most I’ve gotten is a couple pat downs by a big security dude.
Now that is a good story! Poor guy. ;-) I’m hoping to get my million miles lifetime status before I call it quits. I don’t imagine traveling too much less though. Even once I reach the point where I’m traveling less for work I’ll be wanting to travel with family. There is just so much more to see and do.
Yeah that is the truth. I used to be on the other side of the counter but even if I didn’t have that perspective I was raised to be courteous sometimes to a fault. I try to be fair, when I receive good service I make sure to take the time to write a complimentary email and if I think there is room for improvement I write that but make sure to point out the positives. Most of the time the service industry will make things right if you are simply polite.
Now that is some service. :-)
Yeah I had a couple weeks in Scotland. Most nights in the pub and fine dining. Can’t beat that kind of work!
Yeah that is one reason I posted it. I wanted to draw in the Alex Jones crowd. :-)
My chances for entry to any of those “clubs” are nil. :)
My mail came faster.
Bills pile up faster because the mail comes faster.
Is that a perk?
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