Hotels offer loyalty discounts to drive direct bookings
Major hotel chains push member rates to bypass travel sites. Choice Hotels begins a 7 percent member discount on ChoiceHotels.com and app for 27 million members. Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton offer tiered direct-booking perks, free Wi Fi, and mobile check in, aiming to curb OTA commissions while preserving partnerships with Expedia and Priceline.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Choice Hotels International
ChoiceHotels.com
Choice Privileges
Hyatt Gold Passport
USA
Canada
Australia
Marriott International
Marriott Rewards
Marriott.com
Drew Pinto
Marriott
OTA
Ellen Lee
Hyatt
Otas
Melissa Maher
Expedia
Travelocity
Orbitz Worldwide
Hotels.com
Maher
Hilton
Hhonors
Mark Weinstein
Flavie Lemarchand-Wood
Priceline.com
Priceline
Booking.com
Mountain waves and turbulence over the Rockies explained
Reader asks about turbulence routes over the continental United States and mountain wave warnings. The answer explains that strong surface winds over the Rocky Mountains generate mountain waves, causing turbulence and altitude changes, with heavier effects near larger peaks. Flight crews may reroute during turbulence and pilots brief mountain wave risks during pre flight briefings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Calif. A
Rocky Mountains
R. Rowley
Hesperia
Reno
Las Vegas
B. Abrams
Robert B
York
Hidden travel fees rise as online bookings mask costs
A traveler warns that online booking shows only higher priced seats and pushes ancillary charges. Industry sources defend fees as necessary, while regulators require disclosure. Readers urged to check final totals, use larger screens, and beware hidden surcharges at checkout.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Susan Weinstock
Weinstock
Washington
Ron Peri
Radixx International
Federal Trade Commission
Department of Transportation
Phil Fair
Oak Park
Also Mentioned on This Page
Choice Hotels
Comfort Suites
Quality Inn
EconoLodge
Rocky
U.S
B. O’connel
Cypress
Travel
Usatoday.com
Elliott
National Geographic Traveler
Christopher Elliott
chris@elliott.org
USA Today