[Closed] Upper middle imposter problems

Perhaps the hospitality manager recognised there was an issue and has done his job.
Or, he fancies you and its sausage for supper.
Either way, you have had a treat.

I'm not planning to.

Oh go on you miserable bugger, you'll not really get a better moment 😀

Well that's the obvious option, but an under cooked egg warrants a free mocktail maybe?

Perhaps the hospitality manager was hoping you'd post all about it on a popular web forum?

They spat on it first 😈

Oh go on you miserable bugger, you'll not really get a better moment

Yep. Everything sounds perfect. Beautiful meal, opulent surroundings, first class service..... and the o.p buggering about on the singletrack forum on his phone 😀

Heh.

I worked in Aldershot for over a year, I discovered that the client had a rate with a luxury hotel in Farnborough (Aviator) that was cheaper than the Holiday Inn, so I stayed there. I felt like a right imposter at first, but then they got to know me and all was good - I ate at the restaurant all the time (expenses).

Mid way through they introduced a loyalty card, which was very generous indeed. So at the end of the project I had £600 to spend and no real reason to go back to Farnborough again. I was still on expenses so I used the points to get a junior suite for my parents who were flying on holiday from Heathrow. We had a private dining room, the works. Worked out we had £150 to spend on wine, but my Dad could not bring himself to buy a £150 bottle of wine, even though it was free..!

Dont see a problem. You didn't go around being uppity the manager asked a question which it sounds like you answered honestly and he made a gesture to make up for what may otherwise have been a bit of a disappointment. Sounds to me how things should work but often don't.

As for comparison with other events, don't worry about it. Sometimes stuff just all falls into place and you have a fantastic experience, other times the best laid plans fall apart and it's a complete nightmare. If you're with the right person then the cost of the experience is immaterial. Myself and the late mrs mw stayed in all manner of hotels from 5 star luxury to ones where I was disposing of cockroaches in the middle of the night. They were all memorable and they were all fun. If anything I could argue that the more luxury accommodation was often a bit dull.

Fear not Bregante, were are easy on the sofa feeling over fat. She is browsing rightmove (hope this new class hasn't gone to her head)

She's expecting and you don't want to get married?

Want has nothing to do with it, you [i]need[/i] to get married.

The law has yet to catch up with what is/is not fashionable 😉

Enjoy the holiday, now that I'm married and with kids foreign holidays are a thing of the past - apart from the weekend cycling trips with lads of course 😛

In fairness to the Hilton chain, they do put the customer first in my experience. Have a friend who is back working for them again and I'm looking forward to her friends and family discount coming back online 🙂

Good customer service.

You obeyed rule one*, and were treated well as a result.

*Don't be a dick.

If you don't want the answer, don't ask the question.
He did, you responded, he rewarded.
Good result.

Sounds like a great hotel. Good work fella! 🙂

I work away about 50% of the time and as a result, company expensed hotels. The by-product of this is hitting top status on most hotel brands loyalty cards. It does feel a bit weird rocking up at any hotel and getting given a suite when you're only paying bottom corporate rate. And to this day when the receptionists great me with "Mr Sales" I still look around for my Dad. Nice not to have the check-in, mind, and just get given a key.

That's first class customer service rewarding you for following CFH's rule one.

Please tell me that you and your expectant SO have discussed your zero intentions of marriage and agreed that her expectancy is solely the incubation one?

Just that, Seychelles, just the two of you, no expense spared, get away from it all (well, apart from the seemingly available wifi 😉 ), holiday of a lifetime, romance, excitedly looking forward to bringing up a new person and preparing them for their life, together. 😉

Some people dream of that scenario. 😀

The thing is that people like you are potentially the people who will come back in 20 years and pay full price. If they treat you right, you'll come back, if not you'll probably spend money elsewhere. They can't offer a two tier service where the lower fee-paying clients get an inferior service - those people will never want to come back if the experience is only so-so.

P.S. You should definitely propose.

Re Rule One, an example;

Left downtown DC en route to Dulles after a long 2 weeks work trip in the US. Just after leaving the hotel, BA app updated me that my flight was delayed by four hours or so. Never mind, I thought. I'll just sit in the lounge and wait.

Got to check in, showed boarding pass in the app, and was politely told about the delay. I explained that I really didn't mind at all. Lady at the desk said, "Just a moment, sir" and went away from the desk.

Returned and said, "window or aisle, sir?"

"Erm, I'm already booked in my favourite seat upstairs, thanks."

"No, sir. We've got you on the earlier flight. In First. Someone will escort you through security and you should still have time for a drink and a bite to eat in the lounge."

"But how? What? Eh? Why? Wibble?", I blurted.

"So many people have been rude about delays today, sir. Giving me the whole 'do you know how much I fly?" routine, but you were just polite. That deserves a thank you, and you'll get home to your family a bit sooner."

I expressed my huge thanks and was briskly whisked away.

Wrote a letter to the customer service director to further express thanks, and made sure that I mentioned the lady by name.

Yay! Like.

CFH is right, though I do find Hilton a very hit or miss chain. Clearly a hit in the Seychelles and, should we ever holiday there, it can go up the list.

I use Hiltons a lot, I tend to choose them. Not Seychelles though, more like Basingstoke. The business hotel types are often quite shabby and dated, but the service ranges from solid to excellent.

Virgin trains bumped me to first class this morning because the ticket machine at Waverley forgot to print one of my tickets. I was just expecting a new ticket but the guy said it was a thank you for not being an arse. How little he knows me...

always* follow Rule One...
* There are 5% of times when if you look tired/ill/knackered you can break it

Heading out to the Alps a mate drops me at the Crowne Plaza Heathrow before he headed for the tunnel with a couple of others. In shorts with a sun hat on head to the priority lane, Ah Mr Smith welcome here is this and that and the other and the complimentary bottle of wine is in your room...
The look on the faces of the 2 suits in the lift after check in was great as they asked what floor I was going to - turned out it was the executive level with the free Club Bar. The perks of doing the Holiday Inn Mon-Fri for close on 6 months.

Got a massive Suite in down town Vancouver 🙂

molgrips - Member
I use Hiltons a lot, I tend to choose them. Not Seychelles though, more like Basingstoke. The business hotel types are often quite shabby and dated, but the service ranges from solid to excellent.

Finally splashed the points on the Intercontinental 1 Park Lane, the guy in front of us was haggling for an upgrade I think it was his wife's Birthday, their anniversary and possibly his honeymoon all at the same time. He got the room he paid for.

"So many people have been rude about delays today, sir. Giving me the whole 'do you know how much I fly?" routine, but you were just polite. That deserves a thank you, and you'll get home to your family a bit sooner."

I've met a few check in staff who do confirm they have just about decided what you get from your opening words.

*On the 5% I did an overnight at Geneva and they were not even looking at the priority lane check in, bit of a cough and a stare, and at the end pointing to the bike bag and suitcase and leaving with a can you send that up.... It was a long day, I was I'll and Grumpy

and simply summed up
[img] [/img]
The manual for the frequent traveller

All the positive spin on this thread indicates great customer service clearly works and, as CFH points out, its a two way street...

...priority checkin lane at IHG hotels....

Even though I can use it due to reward status mentioned above, I always feel a dick using it. I guess it's the British respect for a queue thing. Oddly it does seem to make reception staff look on you favourably as you waited your turn even though you didn't have to.

A year or so ago I was in the first class carriage on my way upto Scotland (one way £60!). The staff were really pampering me, chatty etc. Got to know the ins and outs of stuff. Not once was I asked for my ticket. The ticket chap came through and checked a bloke Sat halfway down the carriage who looked like he was self important. I could tell he resented me being there, my clothes maybe, my look. He pointed me out making a noise that I shouldn't be there but the ticket chap just checked his and walked out. He looked insulted. The service was fantastic and that slight-compliment sealed the experience for me 8)

OP I've been in a restaurant where I fancied a Sancere(?) and the wine chappy replied 'which one/reeled off a fair few'. Then I've had an amazing bacon sandwich in a cafe which ranked higher. You'll experience different yet better things!

My own honeymoon was a £70 Premier Inn in Manchester 😀 who cares.

.priority checkin lane at IHG hotels....
Even though I can use it due to reward status mentioned above, I always feel a dick using it. I guess it's the British respect for a queue thing

From their point of view, the goodwill and (potential) customer loyalty generated by the gesture is worth far more than the cost of the meal. It's customer service done right.

Only good customers will ever see good customer service though! (see rule one)