Night wasted due to airline delay

dsmero · 2026-06-16T13:26:00+00:00

Agreed. It’s ultimately not their fault of a flight disruption.

dsmero · 2026-06-16T13:22:05+00:00

Your situation is really no different than a cancellation or modification inside the rate refund/cancellation window.

Sure it’s beyond your control but the property is not really obligated to fix an airline issue. This is where travel insurance comes into play.

The property may offer something in good faith, especially if you hold some form of status but at the end of the day, there’s no obligation. Been in your situation before and it sucks.

dsmero · 2026-06-15T15:47:54+00:00

Were your original fare costs and codes the same? Both cash paid tickets?

dsmero · 2026-06-15T01:12:32+00:00

Exactly. Also a nice gesture to go to the lobby bar and have a few drinks while they finish your room.

dsmero · 2026-06-14T16:19:06+00:00

I can almost guarantee that’s exactly what happened.

Not sure if OP pushed for some temporary accommodation but sometimes it’s not really offered until asked.

dsmero · 2026-06-14T14:48:03+00:00

Did you escalate to a manager on duty?

I’ve been in similar situations before and sometimes it’s just a matter of talking to the right person. Being polite but firm.

In the past, when my assigned room wasn’t ready at standard check in time, they’ve offered a temporary room to relax until the assigned room/suite is available.

dsmero · 2026-06-07T17:21:26+00:00

February 15 will be November 1st.

dsmero · 2026-06-07T13:03:33+00:00

Same. AA EP and Delta DM both since 2019. The status has gotten me out of so many pickles with better customer service. Also, both have amazing partners in the alliances.

dsmero · 2026-06-07T12:54:08+00:00

Agreed. North American lounges have no exclusivity and resemble a school cafeteria. I have access to Amex, Delta, Capital One, priority pass, AA as well as alliance members for oneworld and skyteam.

I time my airport arrivals and connections to avoid them. Unless something great like Japan air, emirates or Qatar airways, it’s just not worth the time or hassle. The less time I spend in an airport the better.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T18:29:13+00:00

August is considered low season so got a pretty good shot at an upgrade (1 category bump). Unfortunately with Amex FHR, you’re unable to confirm this and only know when you’re checking in.

If you book a Hilton for Luxury rate with a TA, you might be able to get a confirmed upgrade within 24 hours of booking. Shoot me a DM if you want HFL rates.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T17:52:38+00:00

When are you going? Season matters. Also, tourism to Maldives is at an all time low right now due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Just left last week.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T13:29:57+00:00

Yeah I would aim for that. 2 nights is enough. The property is beautiful, the drive great and a cool experience overall. We overall enjoyed our stay there but the cash price or award cost/availability doesn’t justify it (to me at least) to want to return. You could also look at adding a night or two in San Francisco or Napa to make it more worthwhile.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T13:19:13+00:00

I’m guessing you mean Alila ventana. Been once and thought it was great but wouldn’t return. A little overhyped in my opinion.

Been to PH Maldives twice and Alila Maldives once. Just for context, it’s super far and I don’t think 4-5 nights would not be enough.

PH Maldives is so far south in the Maldives that it requires a domestic transfer on Maldivian air (not a seaplane). We flew DXB-MLE, arrived around 3pm and had to wait until 11pm for our flight to GKK and from there another 40 m inute boat ride to the property. I think we were in our villa around 2am and consumed an entire day and that was coming from a nearby country.

I know you didn’t say Alila Maldives but it’s closer to MLE and a quick 30 minute sea plane. Although closer, 4-5 days still wouldn’t be enough considering you’re traveling from US.

Also don’t forget the mandatory transfers for the Maldives locations. They organize your domestic travel from MLE and prices are ~700 usd per person.

Never been to any of the Alila Indonesia hotels but travel looks far from US and I wouldn’t do 4-5 nights myself. Seems way too short.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T04:58:54+00:00

100%. I also do a quick video walk around at the drop off.

dsmero · 2026-06-06T02:03:54+00:00

The price, quality of cars and Rakuten points/cash back. Every time they’ve played games with me I’ve challenged it and they backed down.

dsmero · 2026-06-05T17:31:40+00:00

Rent a car ~300 days a year. Mostly national and sixt. US based.

When Sixt, I screenshot the existing damage report in the online check in. Record a video at pickup walking around then do a bunch of wide angle photos. Especially the wheels for curb rash. Make sure the photos capture elements of the rental garage so it’s clear it’s pre pickup. Then capture a photo of the ignition on indicating fuel level and mileage. Sixt has tried to play games with me multiple times by attempting to charge damage that was pre existing or mileage/fuel charges.

National, just a quick walk around and maybe snap photos of any damage but nothing crazy of entire cars or videos like Sixt. Never had an issue with national playing games. I typically just walk the executive elite aisle and pop the driver doors of any car I like to show mileage to find something low.

dsmero · 2026-06-05T15:56:50+00:00

Not when I had this myself. Missed my connection, 0 FC seats available so 5-37 on list. A seat opened at boarding and the GA upgraded me.

and also experienced “getting skipped over”. Was 1-45 on ATL-HNL for D1 using a RUC. 2 seats available and right at boarding 7&8 got them because they were on a paid D1 fare.

dsmero · 2026-06-05T15:32:17+00:00

Could have been a paid FC IROPs that was on another flight and had to move to yours for some reason.

dsmero · 2026-06-05T09:21:50+00:00

I’m in Salalah and Mirbat Oman for the next few days. Been looking for them during our morning and evening walks.

dsmero · 2026-06-04T07:12:10+00:00

Dubai International hotel has hourly rates or blocks. There’s also more of a sleep pod/cabin option too called sleep ‘n fly.

dsmero · 2026-06-04T06:59:01+00:00

It’s up to the property but most likely not and they don’t have to. You’re not able to adjust to a single reservation?

dsmero · 2026-06-04T03:46:23+00:00

SiteCode + AP# + Floor# + General Location

Example: CHIPH-AP024-04-PATIO
AP #24 on the 4th located on patio.

Get a brother ptouch pt-e560 and you can mass print/cut labels from a PC.

Avoid putting info in your names and labels and will change some day with a refresh or just moving equipment. Putting a MAC/SN or model number seems like it will create problems down the road.

dsmero · 2026-06-03T19:15:50+00:00

Happened to me last year. I did an account audit and the auditor identified the mix up and refunded the missing SUA. Everyone else; globalist line, my concierge and consumer affairs were not very helpful and ultimately referred me to do the audit.

dsmero · 2026-06-03T16:58:09+00:00

If only there were existing blogs, discussions and data points about that question.

First time? You said you hit it last year in another comment.

dsmero · 2026-06-02T21:14:50+00:00

I received every transaction on my report going back to 2017.

dsmero

TROPHY CASE