Penny pinchers can still go the luxury route
By Kitty Bean Yancey
However, the travel landscape has changed since he first wrote about going deluxe for less in 1999. “It requires a new set of skills,” says Widzer, who holds a doctorate in industrial organizational psychology. He shares with USA TODAY’s Kitty Bean Yancey his updated cost-cutting strategies.
Q: Is luxury travel still a possibility for those who won’t or can’t pay full price?
A: The reality is that the market is so competitive it is within your reach. But travel providers now are giving rewards based on customer value. . . . what value you represent. Loyalty (to an airline or hotel) still pays off. And if you’re a pleasure to deal with, that helps. I know someone with 3 1/2 million (miles) with Delta, but he doesn’t get upgraded every time. The guy is unpleasant and demanding.
Q: I’m a high-level frequent flier with an airline that has never upgraded me, even though I am polite to agents. Why?
A: I don’t know if it’s that airline or what. But since 9/11, the airlines got tougher. The past three years, they were pretty stingy (with upgrades), and now they’re loosening up because they saw themselves losing business to the low-fare carriers. I’ve spoken to two executives at major airlines and they have a customer-service initiative to delegate more decision-making authority to gate agents and ticket agents.
Q: You also advise buying upgradeable tickets.
A: By paying slightly more, you can often buy a discounted coach ticket that is eligible for an upgrade. Airlines also are trying to squeeze out more revenue by selling more (discounted) seats in first class instead of giving them away.
Q: What’s your strategy as a frequent flier trying for an upgrade?
A: I ask if I can be upgraded or put on a wait list. Try to find out in advance what the load is. If you know the coach section is full (and first class is not), that can be prime for upgrades. I’ll say to the gate agent, “You’re going to have to upgrade somebody. Don’t you want to upgrade somebody who’ll do more business with you?” Give them the sense of why it’s in their interest to help you.
Q: You are not a fan of budget carriers like Southwest.
A: They have limited markets, and they don’t always have the lowest prices. Other airlines are matching Southwest and JetBlue. But with a “legacy” carrier, you have the convenience of worldwide coverage with alliance partners.
Q: Some say that insisting and demanding get them extras.
A: I’ve talked to people who work for airlines and hotels. They get (grief) all the time. So when someone’s nice to them, it makes a difference.
Q: Your book also stresses the importance of tipping.
A: Use tips as an investment. If you’re genuine and you say, “I’d appreciate your help and I’ll take care of you,” it doesn’t always have to require money. It can be writing a letter.
Q: Since you first wrote your book, more and more people are purchasing travel on the Internet, and conventional wisdom now is that you get the best deals there.
A: Not always. For instance, Hilton, Starwood and others now have a best-rate guarantee. On a third-party Web site, you might save some money, but you don’t get the same level of service and you probably won’t get upgraded. You don’t get the benefit of building a partnership.
Also, part of luxury is convenience. I hear stories of travelers who purchase tickets on Priceline, and (when there’s a travel glitch), they can’t deal directly with a provider. Booking directly gives you leverage and makes it more convenient if you have any mishap.
Q: So you’re not the kind to use a travel agent?
A: Travel agents are good if you’re planning an exotic or sophisticated trip. For your everyday needs, I use the Internet, airline and hotel Web sites, third-party travel sites for research, and SideStep for fares, and I call directly.
Q: In your book, you tell of bargaining for rooms at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. I can’t believe that works.
A: The key is to do it when the hotel is not full. I wanted to stay at the Four Seasons George V in Paris. They would make no concessions, so I stayed next door. I went (back) and said, “I’d really prefer staying at your hotel.” I talked to the front-desk manager, showed the rate I was paying (205 euros) and they said, “OK, we’ll match it.”
Q: That sounds like magic. It’s hard to believe.
A: I don’t think it’s magic . . . it’s relationship-building. If they were 100% full, they’d say, “Get out of here.” But they weren’t.
Q: You do take a contrarian approach to luxury travel.
A: You have to go where they need the business. I think Asia has some great values right now, and maybe Greece after the Olympics.
Join the elite; be sure to tip
Among Joel Widzer’s tips for traveling in style without paying full freight:
* Gain elite status with an airline and hotel chain.
* Cultivate lead gate agents, who have the most say over upgrades. When seeking a better seat, stay within sight of the podium so as not to be forgotten.
* After researching hotel rates on the Internet and via 800 reservations numbers, call directly to try to get a better discount. Then ask for a free upgrade, or for a price break on a better room.
* Tip hotel valet parkers and bellhops well at the start for better service. Bellhops also can help secure an upgraded room.
* Travel off-season for big luxury-hotel and airfare savings.
* When you encounter a staffer with a poor attitude, move on to someone else to get the upgrade or service you seek.
© Copyright 2004 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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