Elite Shops Missing?

I usually search for "Elite Shops" with Mercantile Systems this time of the month, but noticed that there aren't any available, or at least not yet. Has anyone seen them on shopmetrics? I don't have any reason to think I'm black listed, but it's a little strange. Thanks for any heads up.

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A different MSC is doing them this time around.

They were posted today.

What is an "Elite Shop"? Are they upscale shops or are they special in a different way?

They are shops geared towards a program that a specific hotel brand offers

Nicole, how much work are these elite shops? I've seen them come up and thinking about doing one but the overnight hotel shops are usually so much work.

I’m not Nicole, but if they are the Elite shops I’ve done, there’s:

Valet
Check In
Guest Room - Housekeeping
Housekeeping Request
In-Room Dining
Breakfast Outlet
Stayover Service
Check Out (Book two nights, stay one)
Valet

All narrative-driven.

Thank you for your information Professional Guest! That doesn't sound too bad. Some of the hotel ones I have done before are a lot of work.

It’s just awkward to check out a day early. That’s probably a giveaway but you’re already on the way out at that point I guess.

@LindaM wrote:

It’s just awkward to check out a day early. That’s probably a giveaway but you’re already on the way out at that point I guess.

It's not really a giveaway people check out early from hotels all the time.

@eyelove2shop wrote:

It's not really a giveaway people check out early from hotels all the time.

Well...it's still a giveaway in that if if the staff have discovered the connection, then anyone NOT checking out early doesn't get treated as well.

Not the company being discussed here, but I recently did a shop for another hotel chain that normally tests elite status benefits. The elite portion was missing form the assignment and when I asked about it, then MSC told me the hotel had already passed the Elite test for the year, and was being re-shopped for other components. The hotel literally wold have failed every single component of the elite test when I was there. I'm guessing they knew that the elite shopper has already come and gone for the year.

Most of these programs are poorly designed if the objective is to make sure that the actual elites are being treated well....

Business travelers OFTEN have to respond to changes of plans by checking out early, changing routes, etc.

With the political season upon us, there will be a TON of political aids, advance staff, reporters, consultants whirling around the country. And their "schedules" are subject to change at a moment's notice. So, nothing odd about changing plans at all.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

@LindaM wrote:

It’s just awkward to check out a day early. That’s probably a giveaway but you’re already on the way out at that point I guess.

I think so too. Especially after you make the housekeeping staff clean your room early and then leave. Mine caught me last time. Oops!

Here is how to USE that early housekeeping request to SUPPORT checking out early.

When you call the front desk to request early house keeping say that you just found out that there will be a conference call followed by a quick meeting of colleagues, in your room,, early. housekeeping needed ASAP.

Go to breakfast or take a walk. Once the housekeeping request is fulfilled, call the front desk and say that the news from that call and meeting means that you will have to change your travel plans immediately and you will need to check out in 5 minutes. Then, just do so.

It has always worked for me.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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