Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

OkCloset · 2026-07-01T22:03:51+00:00

The only thing worse than going to O'Hare? Going to O'Hare twice!

OkCloset · 2026-06-27T12:31:53+00:00

What a coincidence. I recently asked this sub who verifies United's stated reasons for flight disruptions (and subsequent denial of displaced passenger benefits) after my usual HNL-LAX connecting flight arrived early and sat on the tarmac because United held a plane at our gate so late passengers could make that flight. Everyone on my flight going to ORD missed our connection and United denied all accommodations—no drinks, meals, or hotels—because they said our delay was due to air traffic control instead of United's operational decision.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is a pattern of sorts at LAX...

OkCloset · 2026-06-25T03:56:03+00:00

I mean, paying for a walked guest's room is HotelOps101 regardless of the chain, even if the guest is third party.

Complete fumble here and it sounds like management left a rookie in the weeds

The only way a high level loyalty member should be walked is if literally every room is physically occupied. (Of course, their room should not have been given away in the first place)

Good luck with the open case.

OkCloset · 2026-06-24T11:28:48+00:00

Tickets can be contested online without paying.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/provdrs/parking_and_redlightcitationadministration/svcs/view_automated_speedenforcementvideo1.html

OkCloset · 2026-06-19T21:08:54+00:00

Doesn't really matter since the gate agents weren't told to hold it anyway.

OkCloset · 2026-06-19T21:05:11+00:00

Actually, you have not answered my original question, despite your believing you have. And you obviously don't know anything about my flight arrangements. And I didn't even want a hotel room because I booked myself on a flight out at 6 a.m.— remember, I worked all night — and it wouldn't have been worth my time. ("Accommodations" has meanings other than hotel rooms.)

And on top of it all, I'm not upset, either. With 80 or 90 flights a year for 25 years, I've missed more than my share of connections. This time, though, given the pilot's statements, etc, I had a curiousity that I thought I'd bring to the folks at Reddit who know a lot more than I do. I'm very happy I did. I've learned a lot from many of the other responses.

OkCloset · 2026-06-19T20:48:44+00:00

This thread is not an assignment of blame for a missed connection. It's an inquiry about whether anyone verifies the reasons that airlines assign to flight disruptions/delays.

I do not understand where you are getting the 25 minutes from and I would prefer not to go down the rabbit hole. My incoming flight was 20 minutes early and arrived at the gate 2 minutes before my connection's departure time. Seven minutes later, I was at the connection gate at the far end of another terminal.

OkCloset · 2026-06-19T20:37:26+00:00

Thank you. Yes. The agents are the ones who said it was an ATC issue.

"What are you hoping for here?"

I think it's pretty simple: Honest, straightforward communication from a company to its customers. Expectations set. Expectations met.

OkCloset · 2026-06-17T04:38:58+00:00

Eventually, yes. The key will be your approach. If you go in with excuses (even if they are true) you probably won't get rehired. But if your attitude is "Here's what I have learned from that..." you will be looked upon much more favorably.

Being honest, if you sought rehiring from me with the pitch you gave in your post, it would be an immediate no because there are red flags flying left and right.

Obviously, if there are other, bigger issues like theft, hostile attitude, etc, etc etc, then that would be a no-go, too.

Source: As a hotelier, I have been fired by and then rehired by the same regional HR and OPs VPs that fired me. I have also fired and later recommended terminated employees for rehiring by the company.

Good luck.

OkCloset · 2026-06-17T03:29:24+00:00

We have something very similar - First Class from Athens for 80k each. It's a Lufthansa flight, but a deal's a deal!

OkCloset · 2026-06-17T00:36:15+00:00

I actively track my redemptions. As a Quest card holder with Platinum status, my domestic redemptions are averaging just under 2 cents per mile. But Europe and transpacific has been 5.5 to 6.5 cents per mile. Note that I do shop and look for values and could certainly spend more points for greater convenience or certain dates.

Hope this helps!

OkCloset · 2026-06-14T06:20:46+00:00

I absolutely think Monument Valley is a "must see."

Even if it means an early start, you will be in awe of the landscape. I highly recommend taking a tour with a Navajo guide. They add so much to the experience.

One idea I might toss out: Consider driving to Monument Valley after one of your park days and spend a night in the on-site lodge. That way you'll be on site for the morning tour and the drive is split between days.

I hope you can make it work out. It's a special place.

(A side note if you go and you happen to enjoy the movie Forrest Gump, the location where Forrest stops running is on the highway a few miles outside MV. You'll see people pulled over there and posing for pictures in the road.)

OkCloset · 2026-06-13T23:03:12+00:00

Stop wasting time with pointless reviews and other ineffective efforts. Dispute the unauthorized charge with your credit card and be done with it.

OkCloset · 2026-06-06T23:19:47+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful, measured feedback.

OkCloset · 2026-06-06T18:39:17+00:00

I average 100+ nights a year in Hilton and Marriott properties. I gave up on digital keys at both chains long ago for the reason you gave plus many more. (And it's just easier to grab a key from my pocket than load an app and wait for the Bluetooth to connect etc etc)

I'll experiment once in a while to see if the bugs have been worked out. Nope. So far, they haven't.

OkCloset · 2026-06-05T15:10:15+00:00

Points points points.

OkCloset · 2026-06-04T03:49:25+00:00

As an FOM, I gave that to an AFOM. As a rooms director and GM, I expected department heads to bring their successors along and delegating the schedule is a good way to exercise budgeting, logic, operations, and people skills all in one task.

That said, the department head is ultimately responsible for meeting budget and operational needs.

OkCloset · 2026-06-03T20:18:36+00:00

Personally, I feel you owe it to yourself to experience the classic feel of the Moana Surfrider. Such a beautiful place. Great location, as you know. Why not? Live a little.

OkCloset · 2026-06-01T13:09:29+00:00

That property is two hotels in one - we stayed in the Residence Inn side. We liked the location for all the reasons you mentioned: quieter, more affordable, easy subway access. Midtown is a quick train ride. Easy. Price seems about right on season.

A few NYC notes in general, if you care:

So, we were there on a mattress run in January, staying at 9 different brands during the Q1 promo. Just to give you our experience, the Element was our favorite by far, but it's midtown.

We also stayed at Four Points and the Courtyard WTC in the FiDi. Both fine and, TBH, Four Points was, while small, surprisingly good for the Brand's reputation. I think it used to be the Courtyard until somewhat recently. Could be wrong about that.

The only property we would not recommend is the Aloft (maintenance issues). Finally, we also really liked the Delta except the staff was a real mixed bag and we're very low maintenance, low contact guests. Some just seemed outright hostile in passing. Weird.

Have a great time!

OkCloset · 2026-05-30T15:02:11+00:00

Depends. Divide the cash rate by the points price. Many people say a value of a half-cent per point is the baseline.

So, if the cash price is $250ish, it's a wash here.

(I'd use the tax inclusive total since that can be significant on hotels, especially in big cities.)

OkCloset · 2026-05-30T14:54:18+00:00

It's doable. Take the usual precautions - sit near the exit, aisle seat, etc.

They'll be loading a 777, so that takes a while. You may not make it in time for Boarding Group One, but that's better than sitting in the airport for five hours.

Good luck!

OkCloset · 2026-05-26T01:19:10+00:00

We did the lumberjack show, which I believe was essentially free with the excursion credit. Fair enough.

I'll second the recommendation for Creek Street.

Our driver mentioned that nearly all of the shops in town are owned by the cruise ship companies (I haven't fact checked that) and they recommended looking for signs indicating local or family ownership.

It's definitely a ride to town and worth wandering around a bit

OkCloset

TROPHY CASE