TravelGump
In the beginning, there was Motel 6…In Arizona…and it was good. The staff was kind but the bed was not and I was not pleased. George Santayana wrote “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. And, true to form, one week later, I stayed at another Motel 6 and was actually shocked that history had, yet again, repeated itself. Two takeaways: 1. I’m cheap and 2. I’m done staying at Hotel/Motels (does anyone really know the difference between the two?) with lousy beds. This was my Ah-Ha moment.
The problem was that the nice beds were hidden behind what I thought were very expensive walls. My firm would send us to wonderful hotels around the world but the room rates were ridiculous. Now you’ll notice I wrote “wonderful hotels” not places. This matters because I love hotels, I’m crazy about them. Lilly: We’re going to Rome! Me: That’s nice. Lilly: Were staying at the Westin Roma. Me: OMG! That is so awesome, I can’t wait to check out the rooms, the musty old world hotel smell and I’ll bet the bathrooms are marble and MAYBE there is a basement we can explore! Lilly: Seriously, you’re an idiot.
My travel hierarchy is this: Great Hotel (with one exception = Great bed and perks mentioned above
Where are we going to eat?
How are we going to get there?
Where are we eating again?
Oh yeah, where are we going?
I mention all this because in the Points and Miles “game” where you stay and how you get there are very big matters. It can be consuming and it definitely helps to be Obsessive/Compulsive, Competitive (I am a numbers guy and I love to win. A win is defined as a hotel stay or Airline flight that I didn’t have to pay for) and have the passion of a Police Detective to find the fantastic deals, which are everywhere. It also helps to have a spouse who has the patience of a Saint and the ability to act interested while completely blocking you out while you blather on relentlessly about airline miles and hotel points. One last thing, you must have good credit, be able to pay off credit cards in FULL every month and be willing to pick up the phone and POLITELY (what you say or do on Mute, however, is up to you) call whomever and state your case regarding whatever points/miles etc… that you are after. Above all be honest and kind to the people you speak to. The companies do watch and they will “claw back” points and close your account if they suspect you are cheating.
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