You Don't Ask, You Don't Get!

I have often thought about publishing a book with the title You Don't Ask, You Don't Get! I have learned a lot in my 15 years of traveling, and I always like to share my ideas and experiences. Asking for an upgrade or something extra is often a necessary first step to receiving it, although I think there are many aspects to obtaining an upgrade or extra perks.

Today, I am sharing an often overlooked detail, which many may consider unimportant. I think that every piece of information is just as important as taking the initiative to ask.

Pay attention to what is going on around you. Here are a few examples of experiences I have had, and things I learned by paying attention.

Around the year 2000 – Traverse City, Michigan

I was waiting to check-in behind another guest who had walked in without a reservation. It was dinner/evening time, and I observed the guest doing some quiet negotiating. I easily overheard the guestroom rate he was given, which was about $10 - $15 less than the rate I had booked. When I got to the counter, I said, “I heard he just got his room for $XX. Can I get that rate, too?” The front desk agent looked up my reservation, and then lowered my rate to match what I had overheard.

Lesson learned: Be aware of your surroundings, and do not be afraid to ask!

Muskegon, Michigan / Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor

January 2015, Weekend, 1-night, Queen guestroom #711

Status perks and check-in

We arrived at the Muskegon Harbor Holiday Inn between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. The front desk agent recognized my Platinum status and offered me 500 bonus points or an on property perk: a bottle of water, snack, or drink in the bar. I accepted the bonus points, which posted to my account immediately. I had reserved two queen beds, because the cost for a king room was more. We prefer a king bed; however, since the two-bedded rooms were queen size rather than double beds, the room type we had reserved was also acceptable. My IHG profile preferences are king bed executive room. This hotel does not have an executive floor.

Even though this hotel was not very full, I did not receive an upgrade to a king guestroom, and the agent lied to me when I inquired about this. Instead of saying she could not give me an upgrade (or something similar), she told me that the hotel was "sold-out." I knew the hotel was not sold-out, although I did not question her other then to say, "Hmm, really."

Guestrooms available at the time of check-in

We stayed in this hotel January 31st, and I have included a screen shot showing that every room type was still available after we got to our guestroom: queen rooms, king rooms (listed two different ways), standard rooms, and 4 king jacuzzi rooms. Clicking on the photo above will enlarge it, and the date and time I checked the website and took the screen shots are visible.

Michigan Photos & Upcoming Travel Reviews

I have not had as many posts to this blog as usual recently, since I have not been traveling as much the last six months. In fact, I may have to change some of the elite status levels in my profile after the end of February. I have mixed feelings about that right now.

Beautiful sunrise in early winter 

I will have a new travel post next week, and a few in March, April, and May. Most of the first few posts will be from area hotels and travel outside of the United States. Some of you will be glad to know that the information in April and May will be from Michigan--campgrounds and information about visiting northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula!

In the meantime, please visit and "like" my Facebook travel page. I often provide additional photos and information on the Facebook page when there is too much for a blog post. I also share travel information and contest links from other pages. Hope to see you there!

MBJ airport/Sangster International Airport ~ Montego Bay, Jamaica

January 2015

We had Sky Priority first class seats on Delta, and I have Priority Pass membership through American Express. This is our departure experience from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Delta check-in

Our check-in experience was very quick. It would have been even quicker except for the rude passengers who cut in line in front of us.

Sandals Resorts Sleep Quality

As I mentioned in my review of Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I have been researching the mattress types in Sandals resorts. Rather than add this information to that review, I decided to create a new post because my resort review is already quite lengthy. 

When I started researching this after our stay, I found several posts from other guests who also wanted to know what kind of mattresses are used in Sandals resorts. I found reference to Serta in one of the posts that I read; however, I did not initially find any information about which kind of mattress is used. 

Montego Bay, Jamaica / Sandals Royal Caribbean

December 2014, 7-nights--Christmas Day to New Year's Day, Caribbean premium room #1219

I want to provide a little background about our prior visits to Jamaica, to help readers understand my point of view. We have been to Jamaica at least six times--by cruise ship and in resorts, and even though this visit was not 100% perfect, it was by far our best Jamaican experience! The service at Sandals Royal Caribbean was exceptional. The servers and bartenders work hard (as did everyone we observed), and I was impressed with how well they always knew who was next, and who wanted what. I never observed an incorrect food or beverage item served, and there was only one time I observed a bartender ask who was next because he was not sure.

Sunset over Thai restaurant and private island

I do not have reviews for all of our previous visits to Jamaica because some of them occurred before I started this blog. Here are links to reviews of our previous experiences in Jamaica: Hilton Rose Hall Montego Bay, Holiday Inn Sunspree Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios from Freedom cruise ship.

This is a lengthy review with a lot of detail. Additional photos are posted on my Facebook travel page.

ATL - Atlanta, Georgia / Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway

December 2014, Weekday-Holiday (Christmas eve), 1-night, King guestroom #509

The Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway is our favorite hotel when needing to stay in ATL overnight. Here is a link to the review of our prior stay in November 2013. 

Status perks and check-in

At check-in, the agent recognized my status, and said that the concierge lounge was closed. She provided a goody bag and a coupon for a free ($10 value) appetizer in the bar or restaurant. The bag contained a half-bottle of red wine, gummy bears, and pretzels. I loved the wine! Later, I thought I should have asked about water, too, since the bottled water in the guestroom was $3.50, and this was complimentary during our last stay.