5 Hacks To Get More Out Of Every Hotel Stay
Take Risks & Try To Negotiate
If it's not high season for the hotel, just show up at the door — even without a reservation — and try to negotiate a deal on on the spot. If they have rooms available, they'll be eager to fill them at a discount. Booking directly with the hotel can also have its benefits, since some luxury hotels assume that guests who use third-party bookings sites (like Priceline or Travelocity) are just going for the biggest bargain.
Patrick Liotard-Vogt, chairman atASmallWorld, points out that hotels pay a high commission to booking sites, so they have an incentive. They'll still earn more if they give you a reduced rate on the spot than they would if you booked through a travel website.
Get Some Face-To-Face Time
Business is always better conducted in person, and that applies to getting hotels to show you a little extra love, too. "I find it much easier to get to the check-in desk early and ask if they can do anything special, compared to talking on the phone," said Carol Cain, blogger at Girl Gone Travel. "It helps if I'm extra nice about having to wait."
Charlotte Chen, cofounder of travel appSpottly and soon-to-be launched Wundrful, thinks you should always be specific about the amenities you're looking for, like bathtubs, which are usually found only in higher-end rooms. However, you're likely to be forgoing something else in return. So think it over: Free extra bed or a better view? Either way, it never hurts to ask — in person.
Ask For A Corner Room
Always snatch up a corner room if any are available. Due to the structural layout of a building, these rooms generally have the most square footage and windows, while also offering the lowest noise level. It will feel like you have a nicer room — without actually paying for one. Also, it's worth finding out if the hotel has undergone any recent renovations. If so, request one of the newer rooms.
Remember, Loyalty Goes A Long Way
Signing up for the hotel's membership program in advance can help you gain that special designation of VIP guest throughout your stay. Perks may include free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, and the most coveted of all: access to exclusive executive club lounges. Signing up for credit cards that come with travel and dining rewards is another way to make sure you're the first to know about special deals, says Sarah Gavin, head of communications at Expedia. Everyday purchases on the card will help accrue rewards for future trips. (Just be sure to read the fine print, avoid high-interest cards, and use credit responsibly.)
Expedia travel expert Courtney Scott says that checking in on social media sites can also unlock hidden perks. For example, members of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program get limited-time specials, like discounts at the hotel bar when they punch their virtual cards on Foursquare.
A $20 Tip Can Be A Game-Changer
When all else fails, a fat tip wedged between your passport pages when you check in is a foolproof way to ensure good service — and then some. Tipping at reception is not all that common, so staff is extra-appreciative of those who do. The front desk agent holds the key to an array of goodies, like free room credits you can use toward the minibar, in-room movies, or a later checkout. All they need to do is tap a few extra buttons, so your token of appreciation can really make the difference.
The best accompaniment to a generous gratuity? A friendly smile and thanking the employee by name. On the flip side, addressing the staff by name when making a complaint about your stay can result in a swifter resolution, because it's a subtle reminder that you'll know who to report if you're forced to go to hotel management. Credit: Refinery29.com
If it's not high season for the hotel, just show up at the door — even without a reservation — and try to negotiate a deal on on the spot. If they have rooms available, they'll be eager to fill them at a discount. Booking directly with the hotel can also have its benefits, since some luxury hotels assume that guests who use third-party bookings sites (like Priceline or Travelocity) are just going for the biggest bargain.
Patrick Liotard-Vogt, chairman atASmallWorld, points out that hotels pay a high commission to booking sites, so they have an incentive. They'll still earn more if they give you a reduced rate on the spot than they would if you booked through a travel website.
Get Some Face-To-Face Time
Business is always better conducted in person, and that applies to getting hotels to show you a little extra love, too. "I find it much easier to get to the check-in desk early and ask if they can do anything special, compared to talking on the phone," said Carol Cain, blogger at Girl Gone Travel. "It helps if I'm extra nice about having to wait."
Charlotte Chen, cofounder of travel appSpottly and soon-to-be launched Wundrful, thinks you should always be specific about the amenities you're looking for, like bathtubs, which are usually found only in higher-end rooms. However, you're likely to be forgoing something else in return. So think it over: Free extra bed or a better view? Either way, it never hurts to ask — in person.
Ask For A Corner Room
Always snatch up a corner room if any are available. Due to the structural layout of a building, these rooms generally have the most square footage and windows, while also offering the lowest noise level. It will feel like you have a nicer room — without actually paying for one. Also, it's worth finding out if the hotel has undergone any recent renovations. If so, request one of the newer rooms.
Remember, Loyalty Goes A Long Way
Signing up for the hotel's membership program in advance can help you gain that special designation of VIP guest throughout your stay. Perks may include free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, and the most coveted of all: access to exclusive executive club lounges. Signing up for credit cards that come with travel and dining rewards is another way to make sure you're the first to know about special deals, says Sarah Gavin, head of communications at Expedia. Everyday purchases on the card will help accrue rewards for future trips. (Just be sure to read the fine print, avoid high-interest cards, and use credit responsibly.)
Expedia travel expert Courtney Scott says that checking in on social media sites can also unlock hidden perks. For example, members of the Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program get limited-time specials, like discounts at the hotel bar when they punch their virtual cards on Foursquare.
A $20 Tip Can Be A Game-Changer
When all else fails, a fat tip wedged between your passport pages when you check in is a foolproof way to ensure good service — and then some. Tipping at reception is not all that common, so staff is extra-appreciative of those who do. The front desk agent holds the key to an array of goodies, like free room credits you can use toward the minibar, in-room movies, or a later checkout. All they need to do is tap a few extra buttons, so your token of appreciation can really make the difference.
The best accompaniment to a generous gratuity? A friendly smile and thanking the employee by name. On the flip side, addressing the staff by name when making a complaint about your stay can result in a swifter resolution, because it's a subtle reminder that you'll know who to report if you're forced to go to hotel management. Credit: Refinery29.com
How To Become An International Event And Festival Expert In 12 Months
Got your eyes set on a top job running an international event or award-winning festival?
The satisfaction and excitement that you can take from organizing such an amazing experience for thousands of people is very alluring, but getting your dream job in an intense market can be difficult.
What you need to do is make yourself the ultimate event and festival expert – and one such university,Edinburgh Napier, may be able to help you realise your dreams in just 12 months.
About Edinburgh NapierEdinburgh Napier is a multi-campus university and has three main campuses located in Scotland’s beautiful capital city. Every graduate program at Edinburgh Napier is designed with each students’ career path in mind. Through their careers service, links with industry and enviable accreditations across the university, Edinburgh Napier offer a supportive yet challenging environment for all students.
And this approach extends to their International Event and Festival Management Master’s degree, which students from around the world can take to become the ultimate expert! Here’s what else you can do to boost your chances of getting your dream job in the future…
1 - Work in a festival city, Edinburgh, for example, is arguably the most famous festival city in the world. Travellers flock to this tourism-friendly city to experience its thriving cultural, seasonal and special events. Where better to study event and festival management? Not only that, Edinburgh is number one International Congress and Convention Association conference destination in the UK outside of London and rated 21 in the top 50 European City ranking (ICCA, 2013).
2 - Get an industry-related job Now you’ve found a fantastic festival city, take your opportunity to find an industry-related part-time job to gain experience – no matter how big or small your responsibilities are. This will give your resume a boost and also give you the experience when it comes to working in other future roles.
3 - Understand the whole tourism industry It’s never enough to study a ‘niche’ subject such as festival management. You need to understand the whole tourism industry, taking into account different cultures, business skills, management styles, and even marketing, to give yourself a good starting point in your career.
Edinburgh Napier’s International Event and Festival Management Master’s degree, in particular, offers to teach you these areas as part of the degree.
4 - Gain real-life experience The more experience the better! You may have got yourself a part time job for a festival or event, but is there anything else you could do?
As part of the Master’s degree, Edinburgh Napier also offers a compulsory and practical module that gives students the opportunity to produce an event experience in response to a brief set by the tutors. Yet another project that you could add to your resume!
5 - Get industry-related recognition As a graduate in event and festival management from Edinburgh Napier, you will be extremely popular within the industry whether your career aspirations are local or international. You will find yourself in demand for a variety of management roles in various sectors and organisations, including festival management, event management, conference management and public sector organizations.
Becoming an expert - Hopefully, these tips have given you insight into what you can do to get your dream job in event and festival management. Remember it’s not always about focusing on the Master’s degree – think about the city you’re going to study in and the chances you have of getting an industry-related part time job too.
To fast-forward your aspiration of working in the international events and festival sectors, get in touch with our advisors today to see how Edinburgh Napier University could be the perfect fit for you.
By: The ATP Advisors
The satisfaction and excitement that you can take from organizing such an amazing experience for thousands of people is very alluring, but getting your dream job in an intense market can be difficult.
What you need to do is make yourself the ultimate event and festival expert – and one such university,Edinburgh Napier, may be able to help you realise your dreams in just 12 months.
About Edinburgh NapierEdinburgh Napier is a multi-campus university and has three main campuses located in Scotland’s beautiful capital city. Every graduate program at Edinburgh Napier is designed with each students’ career path in mind. Through their careers service, links with industry and enviable accreditations across the university, Edinburgh Napier offer a supportive yet challenging environment for all students.
And this approach extends to their International Event and Festival Management Master’s degree, which students from around the world can take to become the ultimate expert! Here’s what else you can do to boost your chances of getting your dream job in the future…
1 - Work in a festival city, Edinburgh, for example, is arguably the most famous festival city in the world. Travellers flock to this tourism-friendly city to experience its thriving cultural, seasonal and special events. Where better to study event and festival management? Not only that, Edinburgh is number one International Congress and Convention Association conference destination in the UK outside of London and rated 21 in the top 50 European City ranking (ICCA, 2013).
2 - Get an industry-related job Now you’ve found a fantastic festival city, take your opportunity to find an industry-related part-time job to gain experience – no matter how big or small your responsibilities are. This will give your resume a boost and also give you the experience when it comes to working in other future roles.
3 - Understand the whole tourism industry It’s never enough to study a ‘niche’ subject such as festival management. You need to understand the whole tourism industry, taking into account different cultures, business skills, management styles, and even marketing, to give yourself a good starting point in your career.
Edinburgh Napier’s International Event and Festival Management Master’s degree, in particular, offers to teach you these areas as part of the degree.
4 - Gain real-life experience The more experience the better! You may have got yourself a part time job for a festival or event, but is there anything else you could do?
As part of the Master’s degree, Edinburgh Napier also offers a compulsory and practical module that gives students the opportunity to produce an event experience in response to a brief set by the tutors. Yet another project that you could add to your resume!
5 - Get industry-related recognition As a graduate in event and festival management from Edinburgh Napier, you will be extremely popular within the industry whether your career aspirations are local or international. You will find yourself in demand for a variety of management roles in various sectors and organisations, including festival management, event management, conference management and public sector organizations.
Becoming an expert - Hopefully, these tips have given you insight into what you can do to get your dream job in event and festival management. Remember it’s not always about focusing on the Master’s degree – think about the city you’re going to study in and the chances you have of getting an industry-related part time job too.
To fast-forward your aspiration of working in the international events and festival sectors, get in touch with our advisors today to see how Edinburgh Napier University could be the perfect fit for you.
By: The ATP Advisors
18 Hidden Secrets in NYC
BY KAYLIN POUND Big Appled
New York City is a vast metropolis with a rich history, so it’s no surprise that Gotham is filled with an endless amount of mysteries and hidden surprises. However, in a city such as NYC, it is easy to get swept up into the fast paced bustle of everyday life and overlook the tiny treasured concealed all around us. Next time you are looking to tap into your sense of adventure, consider checking out some of the hidden gems housed throughout New York City.
1. The old city hall subway stop
1. The old city hall subway stop
While once a bustling station, the long-standing city hall subway stop on the 6 line closed in 1945 due to its inability to be modernized. Although this beautiful subway station is closed to the public, guided tours are periodically offered, or you can sneak a glimpse of the station if you stay on the 6 train after the last stop, since its passes through the station when it loops around to the uptown platform.
2. 77 Water Street Rooftop
2. 77 Water Street Rooftop
While most bankers looking to travel in style opt for an apartment with a helipad, one high-rise in lower Manhattan has taken a different approach. Resting high above the bustling FiDi streets you will find a hidden airplane runway along with an old rusty World War I fighter plane. While the runway may not be functional, it does have working lights that you can see at night.
3. Secret gardens of Rockefeller Center
3. Secret gardens of Rockefeller Center
In addition to the ice skating rink, the Christmas tree and Jeff Koons’ massive flowering sculpture, Rockefeller Center also houses a little green hidden gem. Scattered about the rooftops of this art deco building you will find 620 Loft and Gallery, a gorgeous private garden that boasts perfectly manicured greenery and incredible views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
4. The Berlin Wall
4. The Berlin Wall
Discreetly displayed alongside a courtyard in Midtown East lies a piece of the Berlin Wall. While many mistake this 12-foot high, 20-foot long historic remnant for just another street mural, this work of art by German artists Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny actually consists of 5 original concrete slabs of the wall that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. You can find this historical treasure nestled between the Jefferies office building and Paley Park on 53rd Street.
5. Secret train platform beneath the Waldorf Astoria
5. Secret train platform beneath the Waldorf Astoria
Known as Track 61, this secret train platform was once used to discreetly transport elite passengers, including Franklin D. Roosevelt among others, from Grand Central into the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The clandestine track has a rich history, being used for the first time by General Pershing in 1938, and then later serving as the venue for Andy Warhol’s “Underground Party” in 1965.
6. The Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island
6. The Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island
Resting on the southern tip of the small Roosevelt Island located the middle of the East River lies the remnants of an ivy-clad Gothic Revival building. While this architectural gem once housed the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital, serving as the top center for smallpox treatment in NYC, the hospital was eventually abandoned in the 1950’s.
7. The Whispering Gallery in Grand Central
7. The Whispering Gallery in Grand Central
Among the many historical mysteries of Grand Central Terminal you will find the Whispering Gallery. Beneath an inconspicuous underpass, you will find people murmuring into the corners of the beautiful archways. While you may find this strange, the secretive walls allow sounds to travel across the domed ceiling. Therefore, when two people stand at diagonal arches, they can hear each other’s whispers.
8. McGraw-Hill Waterfall Tunnel
8. McGraw-Hill Waterfall Tunnel
While most of us know McGraw-Hill as the company that publishes textbooks (and makes college students poor), their Midtown building is home to a small hidden gem. If you make your way over to the western side of the building you will find a plexiglass tunnel that runs beneath a waterfall wall between 48th Street and 49thStreet.
9. Sidewalk Subway Map
9. Sidewalk Subway Map
Situated on the Greene Street you will find an 87-foot patch of pavement with a map of the subway carved into the ground. This piece titled, “Subway Map Floating on a NYC Sidewalk”, was created by Belgian artist Francoise Schein, and is composed of concrete rod along with LED lights for each subway stop. Now you never have to get lost in Soho again
10. Tunnels beneath Columbia University
10. Tunnels beneath Columbia University
Concealed beneath Columbia University you will find a series of creepy tunnels and empty room that connect the entire campus. These longstanding tunnels were actually used during the days when the university was a former mental asylum.
11. The Elevated Acre
11. The Elevated Acre
Resting between two skyscrapers in the Financial District you will find a grassy, one-acre space hovering above the streets below. Located on Water Street, this small park is features remarkable views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Hudson River as well as a 50-foot light sculpture.
12. Maiden Lane Sidewalk Clock
12. Maiden Lane Sidewalk Clock
If you happen to be strolling the streets of downtown Manhattan, make your way over to Maiden Lane and Broadway. Here, you will find a bronze clock embedded in the sidewalk that has been ticking away for over a century and New Yorkers unseeingly pass over it. Designed by jeweler William Barthman in 1896, the clock was originally intended to draw customers into his jewelry store on Maiden Lane.
13. Hidden Waterfall at Green Acre Park
13. Hidden Waterfall at Green Acre Park
While it may be hard to believe, there is actually a 25-foot secret waterfall that rests among the skyscrapers in the middle of Manhattan.Escape the crazy city scene by stopping by this small park on 51st Street, and snagging a seat along the waterfall in this serene outdoor space.
14. Tiny Street Doors
14. Tiny Street Doors
If you stop and look down while waiting to cross the street you may have noticed that tiny door alongside the bases of lampposts are popping up across the city. While they may look the entrances to the homes of NYC rats, these cute doors are actually a crowd sourced art installation created by fans of the renowned performance artist, Cynthia von Buhler. Each door contains a tiny QR code located in the peephole, that when scanned brings you to Buhler’s Speakeasy Dollhouse project.
15. Statue of Lenin atop Red Square
15. Statue of Lenin atop Red Square
Atop a brick building titled “Red Square” on Houston Street you will find an 18-foot statue of Lenin by created by Yuri Gerasimov in Moscow. The building honors the Soviet Union after its fall in 1989 and the statue is purposely positioned to point towards Wall Street, the epicenter of capitalism.
16. Secret Subway Exit
16. Secret Subway Exit
Although nothing seems particularly suspicious about this seemingly ordinary brownstone in Brooklyn, this Joralemon Street home actually has a secret identity. In fact, it is not a house at all. Behind the blacked out windows and brick face lies an MTA subway ventilator, as well as an emergency exit and a secret passage way to the 4 and 5 trains.
17. Secret Garden at St. Luke in the fields
17. Secret Garden at St. Luke in the fields
Concealed behind the large brick wall and black iron gate you will find a gorgeous garden escape in the middle of the West Village. Filled with a variety of beautiful flowers, butterflies and birds this small sanctuary serves as the perfect place to get away from the bustling street of the city.
18. Atlantic Avenue Subway Tunnel
18. Atlantic Avenue Subway Tunnel
Concealed beneath the streets of Brooklyn Heights lies the Atlantic Avenue Subway Tunnel. As the oldest standing subway tunnel in the world, this passageway was built in 1844 and was eventually deserted before it was rediscovered in 1980. While the tunnel is no longer used, tours of this underground relic are periodically offered to the public.
Here's how to get your checked luggage for free on six major airlines:
1. Southwest
We can't say it enough -- FLY SOUTHWEST if you have a lot of baggage. Southwest's luggage slogan is "Bags fly free," and they really mean it: all first and second checked bags are free, including golf bags and skis. Just make sure bags are the right size and at the required weight limit.
2. JetBlue
At JetBlue, you can check your first bag for free -- just make sure it's the right size, weight and not a box on international flights. Sounds easy enough.
3. Delta Air Lines
Typically, traveling from the United States or Canada to the Caribbean or Central America means you'll spend about $25 on your first checked bag. If you really want to get out of that $25, Basic Card Members with a Gold, Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express can waive their first checked bag fee on all Delta flights. The best part? It applies to EVERYONE in your reservation (up to nine people).
But if you're flying to South America, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, China or Japan, the first checked bag is generally free already.
4. United Airlines
Again -- status is key. Those who are MileagePlus or Presidential Plus members can get up to two checked bags for free (plus two for a companion). MileagePlus Explorer Card members (or those with certain Chase credit cards) can get their first bag -- and a guest’s! -- checked for free, too. In order to avoid confusion with certain flight itineraries or locations, United provides this handy website where you can just type in your flight number and see if you get your bag for free.
5. American Airlines
If you have AAdvantage elite status, you can get checked bags free (up to three, if you're Executive Platinum). The same offer applies to passengers in first or business class.
If you're in economy, the first checked bag is free on flights to/from spots including Europe, China and South America. For specific travel plans, check with American'sworldwide reservation phone numbers to see if you can get your first bag for free.
6. US Airways
Passengers who are US Airways MasterCard or Visa card members can all check their first bag for free on domestic flights, in addition to four people in their reservation.
Since US Airways merged with American, their checked baggage policies have “aligned” -- the first bag is free on all flights to Brazil, South America and those to transatlantic or transpacific locations. If you're going to certain locations in Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, your first checked bag might also be free.
1. Southwest
We can't say it enough -- FLY SOUTHWEST if you have a lot of baggage. Southwest's luggage slogan is "Bags fly free," and they really mean it: all first and second checked bags are free, including golf bags and skis. Just make sure bags are the right size and at the required weight limit.
2. JetBlue
At JetBlue, you can check your first bag for free -- just make sure it's the right size, weight and not a box on international flights. Sounds easy enough.
3. Delta Air Lines
Typically, traveling from the United States or Canada to the Caribbean or Central America means you'll spend about $25 on your first checked bag. If you really want to get out of that $25, Basic Card Members with a Gold, Platinum or Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express can waive their first checked bag fee on all Delta flights. The best part? It applies to EVERYONE in your reservation (up to nine people).
But if you're flying to South America, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, China or Japan, the first checked bag is generally free already.
4. United Airlines
Again -- status is key. Those who are MileagePlus or Presidential Plus members can get up to two checked bags for free (plus two for a companion). MileagePlus Explorer Card members (or those with certain Chase credit cards) can get their first bag -- and a guest’s! -- checked for free, too. In order to avoid confusion with certain flight itineraries or locations, United provides this handy website where you can just type in your flight number and see if you get your bag for free.
5. American Airlines
If you have AAdvantage elite status, you can get checked bags free (up to three, if you're Executive Platinum). The same offer applies to passengers in first or business class.
If you're in economy, the first checked bag is free on flights to/from spots including Europe, China and South America. For specific travel plans, check with American'sworldwide reservation phone numbers to see if you can get your first bag for free.
6. US Airways
Passengers who are US Airways MasterCard or Visa card members can all check their first bag for free on domestic flights, in addition to four people in their reservation.
Since US Airways merged with American, their checked baggage policies have “aligned” -- the first bag is free on all flights to Brazil, South America and those to transatlantic or transpacific locations. If you're going to certain locations in Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, your first checked bag might also be free.
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