The Delta Forum Lounge Thread Everybody is Welcome! 2005-2018
Aug 22, 2009 | 1:57 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,500
I had no flights booked for this month until I just booked this one. Since going 7 weeks without flying was just too much, action needed to be taken immediately (especially since I'm driving to Omaha next weekend)
Aug 22, 2009 | 2:00 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 25,420
Istanbul -- priceline not available, Hilton & Marriott too expensive, so I started reading hotel review from the cheapest up until I found a good & cheap ($85 /night) hotel. With 6 a.m. departure, will nap at airport on last day.
Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
Every city can be different. I don't recommend automatically relying on Priceline until one has evaluated the alternatives.
Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
Aug 22, 2009 | 2:05 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,500
I try to evaluate each city from a number of perspectives. For an upcoming trip in October, for example:
Istanbul -- priceline not available, Hilton & Marriott too expensive, so I started reading hotel review from the cheapest up until I found a good & cheap ($85 /night) hotel. With 6 a.m. departure, will nap at airport on last day.
Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
Every city can be different. I don't recommend automatically relying on Priceline until one has evaluated the alternatives.Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
Oh, and I just got carded for my beer on my flight. First time that's happened in my last 300 flights or so...
Aug 22, 2009 | 2:08 pm
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
I try to evaluate each city from a number of perspectives. For an upcoming trip in October, for example:
Istanbul -- priceline not available, Hilton & Marriott too expensive, so I started reading hotel review from the cheapest up until I found a good & cheap ($85 /night) hotel. With 6 a.m. departure, will nap at airport on last day.
Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
Every city can be different. I don't recommend automatically relying on Priceline until one has evaluated the alternatives.Warsaw -- spend real $$$ for inexpensive Hilton
Vienna -- Hilton points
Berlin -- Priceline
I look at 1800hotels.com and they usually (for some reason) are a bit cheaper than the SPG or Hilton websites.
Aug 22, 2009 | 2:11 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The best state in the USA - Florida!
Programs: Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, AS MVP75K, AA PlatPro, UA Premier, Disney AP
Posts: 14,500
I tend to use hotels.com as my starting point and have gotte some good deals on there (Hilton by Piccadilly for USD70/nt last year). Will have to look into 1800hotels.com
Aug 22, 2009 | 2:23 pm
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
I use Kayak versus one booking site and then double check 1800hotels. Kayak gives a good search of the major sites & usually will display the rate from the corp site as well.
Aug 22, 2009 | 3:07 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: El Paso, TX, USA
Programs: Kicked out of all of them
Posts: 32,554
Awesome tips, thanks
I will look into the IC, see if the rest of the gang going is willing to dish out the cash for the hotel.
I will look into the IC, see if the rest of the gang going is willing to dish out the cash for the hotel.
Aug 22, 2009 | 3:30 pm
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VPS
Programs: DL DM/2MM, Etihad Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 4,787
Aug 22, 2009 | 3:37 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,823
I've always started with Kayak - too bad Wyndham changed their best rate guarantee, as I liked free hotel rooms.
Aug 22, 2009 | 3:54 pm
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Inland Empire!
Programs: NW Plat (formerly), UA 1K, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,917
I'm going to Madrid for Thanksgiving weekend on the DL special... any suggestions for good but not expensive hotels in the city center? I am beginning to look for places to stay. I would like to stay in an area so I can mostly walk or take easy public transportation... amenities like wifi/internet, breakfast, etc would be a plus but not required. Has anyone any info about the Best Western Atlantico?
Aug 22, 2009 | 3:58 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
I'm going to Madrid for Thanksgiving weekend on the DL special... any suggestions for good but not expensive hotels in the city center? I am beginning to look for places to stay. I would like to stay in an area so I can mostly walk or take easy public transportation... amenities like wifi/internet, breakfast, etc would be a plus but not required. Has anyone any info about the Best Western Atlantico?
Aug 22, 2009 | 4:01 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,823
And an AD who actually responds to comments (positive and negative).
Aug 22, 2009 | 4:02 pm
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Inland Empire!
Programs: NW Plat (formerly), UA 1K, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,917
Trip Advisor has it #1 of 494 Madrid Hotels so that is a good sign.
Aug 22, 2009 | 4:04 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 25,420
I've been Pricelining the Marriott (just off Potsdammer Platz) for $77+ to $89+ this year.
Aug 22, 2009 | 4:09 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
Since it is user review based I usually go to TripAdvisor when looking for hotels in cities I have not visited. It is probably one of the best resources. With 700 reviews for that hotel, you've got a good sample size.