Hello my dear friends!

Could you please share your experience - what are hotel reports like for ACL, Regal Hospitality, Data Quest and HS Brands? I would like to sign up for a few but I need some advice. I did some fine dining with long reports for ACL and other companies. What their hotel reports are like?

I do not consider Coyle, I am intimidated by them. LOL

Thanks in advance and happy shopping!

ACL hotel shops are probably the "starter" hotel shops. But, like most MSCs, ACL expects you to do other shops to prove yourself before you will ever see any hotel shops. AND, their hotel shops o fast! They often do not include a dinner so pack an in-room picnic and be sure to find out if the room offers a refrigerator and microwave. I like their shops because I et to keep all of the rewards points because they reimburse, instead of reversing the charges. By using each hotel chain's rewards credit card, I get LOTS of bonus points. Those I use for FREE hotel stays for vacations and/or routes. They are the "tax-free income" from the hotel shops. I just stayed using points for 2 free nights overlooking the harbor in Seattle. Street value? Well over $500. Earned doing "no fee" hotel shops.

In a nut shell, not in any particular order:
somewhat of the learning curve for each one,
different writing styles and requirements for each one,
in some cases you'll have thousands of dollars tied up for up to 90 days,
fabulous locations, properties and places in many cases
you must write as you go along or you'll fall hopelessly back
worth it: yes for the experiences and savings on major trips, not if you can't afford to loose the cash outlay if something goes horribly wrong.

Try ACL first, they usually don't reverse the charges though, so you won't get paid back until the next month. And then I would say Data Quest, because the instructions and requirements are very easy to follow, and they provide an adequate tip allowance, and usually quick reversal. Payment is regular and on time. Regal is good as well, but they sometimes take a while to pay and their forms and format are very specific. You must make sure that you do your homework on the writing style and specific format that has to be followed. I have never done a hotel shop for HS brands. Hope this helps.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2019 04:50PM by helpmehelpyou.

To address each company specifically:

1) Prompt replies and clarifications from Dataquest scheduler, easy to follow instructions

2) Very helpful and prompt assistance from Regal schedulers both before and during shops, including after hours (can't stress the importance of it) . Unique style, form and format for the report.

3) Coyle- plenty of info on the forum, all accurate and on point

4) ACL- quick report, not any longer or more difficult that their dinner report

5) HS Brands -did not work with them

If you need a starter hotel, try Buckalew's "beginner" ones. BBusiness Solutions has simpler reports as well.

I wouldn't recommend Regal under any circumstances. YMMV.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2019 03:17AM by iShop123.

What’s wrong with Regal?

@iShop123 wrote:

If you need a starter hotel, try Buckalew's "beginner" ones. BBusiness Solutions has simpler reports as well.

I wouldn't recommend Regal under any circumstances. YMMV.

For many shoppers, the fact that ACL reimburses the charges instead of reversing them, is a bonus. We who like this have opened the rewards credit cards for, say, 2-4 hotel chains. If the charges are reversed, the shopper loses the rewards points associate with paying the credit card charges. Sometime they also lose the points for the stay itself!!

I do as many ACL hotel shops as I can, given rotations. I recently was able to fund my hotel nights in Seattle, for a vacation, and stay with a view of the harbor, using points from ACL shops. My rail bedroom on Amtrak from Seattle to Minneapolis, was paid entirely with Amtrak rewards points, earned doing Amtrak shops (not for ACL) that were reimbursed and also paid nice fees. My August 2018 trip to Maine and back included four rewards points hotel night at very nice hotels enroute. And, the beat goes on and on. I rotate which rewards card I use for groceries, prescriptions, dry cleaning, hair care, fuel, etc. By paying off all the cards in full, every month, I pay no interest. I pay cash for nothing that I could use a rewards card to buy. So, as my rewards status continues to grow, every hotel dollar spent is generating more rewards points per dollar.

Of course, you can do this with other MSC's hotel shops, but for most shoppers, reimbursements are limiting this benefit. Those with MONUMENTAL rewards status for a hotel chain may not miss those points much; but for most shoppers there is a need to weigh the costs and benefit in order to make big rewards.

I have never done a hotel shop for HS, but I would also take a look at the threads regarding their payment schedule (or lack thereof). Based on my experience with other types of shops for them and the testimonials of others, you could end up floating that outlay for a LONG time.