Red Carpet Treatment

[juspeachy]

Great newsletter, Andrea.  I just have some questions relating to the "Travel 'Gopher' to Travel 'Goddess'" article.



Are there any charges involved when asking the concierge to provide a little something special for bossie?  If so, does it show up on his/her hotel bill?  Do I pay for it myself?  If not, do you send the concierge a Thank You note?  



JusPeachy (not used to the royal treatment) in GA

[andrea843]

I always ask for a comp, if I cant get it (and you'd be surprised how often a hotel WILL comp this small service) than I prepay it, depending on the traveller, or allow it to be added to the bill.  There really shouldn't be any expectation on bossie's part not not to pay for the service, but they sure eat it up when it's a comp, and that's most easily accomplished by calling the conceirge directly and making the statement "my company has a VIP staying at your hotel on such and such a date"... this usually gets their attention, and you can BET your bottom dollar, when a hotel makes me look good, I try to book with them whenever possible.



some of the stranger things I've asked for in my career? (I've been doing the comp-a-treat thing for years) Coloring book and crayons.  For a boss who colored for relaxation, and of course the scotch and water for another, I seem do lots of milk and cookies these days.  I DO Try to stay away from the traditional "fruit basket" for one it's easily overlooked, (often delivered to the room before checkin)  and it doesnt pack that, "arranged just for me whallop" of the more personal selection.



Absolutely send the individual a thank you note if you get a comp, and more importantly send his/her supervisor a note detialing the extraordinary customer service.  You'd be surprised how often your name is recalled when you need another comp, and your glowing  letter lies in the personnel file of the person in quesion:)