This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and volunteering at the Chicago Seminars. Rick got me involved, and living only 30 miles from my friend, it makes it easy to do so. Rick and Win thanked all of us volunteers countless times, but as someone who got an amazing tip within 15 minutes of arriving I have to thank them.
Immediately after dropping off my luggage, I met Chris of YourRoomKey.com. We chatted about my 100+ nights on the road and how using YourRoomKey could save me over $100 / night at some of the places I already stay. Just like Priceline won’t always get you the best deal, YourRoomKey is the same. That said, imagine getting Priceline rates that you don’t have to prepay and can cancel without penalty.
YourRoomKey.com rates require no prepayment. A credit card is used to secure the room, but is not charged until check-in. Chris and I chatted for a few minutes and checked out rates at a few properties where I have previously been a guest. A couple of properties weren’t available, a few had only rack rates available, but others were showing greater than 60 percent discounts off of what I could find through either a corporate website or a site like Expedia or Kayak. This is where I began to smile.
The rates aren’t prepaid, and by the looks of everything you should get all applicable elite benefits. Flexibility, elite benefits, and unbeatable prices — I’m speechless. As the holiday season approaches, my travel will dwindle so I won’t have an opportunity to use YourRoomKey.com as much as I’d like. But I already have a few trips for which I’m certainly going to use it.
You need to signup (free) to use YourRoomKey. Contact ftg@yourroomkey.com to do so.
Travel Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions
If there is only one thing anyone took away from the Chicago Seminars I hope it was the fact that asking a question is OK. We were all total newbies at one point (and we’re all still newbies with so many other topics).
On my flight from ORD (O’Hare) to ATL (Atlanta, on my way home), I sat next to Lynn, who was upgraded in a seat swap with her fiance Brian (smart move, Brian). Brian currently has Gold status with Delta and Lynn holds no status. Lynn and I were in the same Delta Moderated Breakout session that had happened a mere three hours before the flight we were on. We began talking.
She asked a few questions and I spoke a mile-a-minute. Me being based in Savannah and she in Atlanta, a lot of our discussion focused on Delta. We covered everything from domestic upgrades to international routing rules, identifying surcharges, and most definitely using credit cards to maximize travel capabilities. Talking about this stuff is exciting. We could have chatted for an entire transcontinental flight.
The lasting thing that I hope I left with Lynn is that you need to diversify. You wouldn’t put your entire stock portfolio in a single stock, so follow the same rules for frequent flier miles and points.
(I told you I’d write about our discussion, Lynn!)
Packing Tip: Pack a trash or a laundry bag
One thing I always have a few of in my suitcase is plastic bags. I typically take the laundry bag in the hotel closet (so I have a stockpile) and use it for dirty laundry. The extras I use for dirty shoes, or to protect / separate something within my suitcase. A plastic bag takes up a minimal amount of space and is extremely versatile. Take a few with you.
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