THE TRUE ELITE :: Before moving to Toronto, I called a certain downtown hotel my home away from home. Staying there every so often I had earned status within their loyalty program. By no means was I any shade of platinum, but a few staff got to know me by name and I was always happy to return.
For one particular trip, a job interview, I had booked a basic room for one night, To my surprise, my then boyfriend was also be passing through Toronto that day.
In line to check in, I couldn’t help but overhear the couple ahead of me. Stepping up to the counter they immediately asked the woman at check-in for an upgrade, the best available, because of their super executive platinum elite status… or something like that. She checked and politely told them that an upgrade wasn’t available at that time. They reminded her of their status – rudely – and proceeded on for several minutes about their entitlement as I watched. Finally, they admitted defeat and accepted their original room assignment.
I had also planned to ask for an upgrade, but knew my odds were shot now. Seeing how the couple ahead of me had left the woman at check-in frazzled, I made a little joke about them and she seemed relieved. There was no one else in line so we ended up chatting. I told her I was in town for an interview, and when she learned it was aviation related, it turned out she had an interest in the industry as well. I gave her some information and advice and as a line started to form, we stopped chatting and she began to check me in.
I told her I overheard the last couple’s request, but wondered if there was anything available if I paid a fee. (After all, I was going to meet my boyfriend, and you’d be surprised how often you can get a reduced price upgrade the day of travel.)
She told me what she had told the people in line ahead of me: “We haven’t got any upgrades right now.” But then she went back to checking her system. She looked up. “Here is what we’ll do. I’m going to give you a basic room now. Go freshen up for your interview, and then when you are back come see me and we’ll upgrade you and your partner when a room frees up. It sounds like you could use it today!”
Thrilled, I thanked her profusely and offered to grab her a coffee before I headed out. She declined, but told me she appreciated my humor and job information. This brought me back to a lesson I learned growing up, The Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated.
I could have acted just as entitled as the previous couple. I could have added to her frustration. Instead, just by treating her with basic kindness and having general conversation, she went out of her way – and made my day.
Whether you are in a hotel, airport or in line at the bank or the grocery store, upgrade your attitude and watch your experience upgrade because of it. Because I travel so much, people always ask me how they can get an upgrade. That’s how. The person behind the counter is a human just like you, and their job is easiest when you’re happy.
PS: That evening, my boyfriend and I returned to our upgraded room and found two beers on ice waiting for us, as well as a note wishing me luck on my interview, signed by my new best friend at the front desk. Cheers to having a suite attitude.
– Johnathan Sawicki is an aviation professional and travel blogger in Toronto. Take a window by seat following him on Twitter and stay tuned for the launch of his blog, Mile High Memoirs.
