Aloha
Hotel planning for Gathering VI
Started by
the_traveler
, Feb 23 2012 04:28 PM
65 replies to this topic
#21
GG-1
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Posted 26 February 2012 - 02:32 PM
Didn't I read that The_Traveler offered us his suite?
Aloha
Aloha
#22
MistyOLR
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Posted 26 February 2012 - 05:37 PM
But if I get my own suite at the Embassy, I can collect my own AGR points off the hotel stay.
Routes taken so far: Wolverine, Hiawatha, Illini, Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle, Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, San Joaquin, Missouri River Runner, Northeast Regional, Acela Express, Crescent, Empire Builder, Cascades, Coast Starlight, Downeaster, California Zephyr. Lake Shore Limited (NY and BOS sections) Orange = Aced route Current rail miles: 19,782 (updated 1/9/12) Previous mileage: 17,607 Current Thruway/bustitution mileage: 1215 Previous Thruway/bustitution mileage: 930
Current planned trips: Ideal points run (more train less wait) STL-PON-HEM-STL. Stripped down max segments points run: STL-ALN-KWD-STL (dates TBD)
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#23
the_traveler
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Posted 26 February 2012 - 05:44 PM
At the Embassy Suites, yes! In the Penthouse Suite - NO WAY!Didn't I read that The_Traveler offered us his suite?
Aloha
A training I will go ... !
#24
CHamilton
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Posted 26 March 2012 - 11:58 PM
Bill, I will be staying there, too, and I got a pretty good rate, together with a discount from using Amex points. As you say, it seems like a good location, and reviews are quite positive.We are staying at the Hampton Inn Center City just across from the convention center downtown.
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#25
the_traveler
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Posted 27 March 2012 - 10:45 AM
I don't exactly know what you call a "good rate", but I just checked and it is $200+ per night, as opposed to the ES of about $100 per night! Unless you used a site like Hotwire or Priceline, but don't expect to get any AGR or hotel points. They SPECIFICALY exclude them!Bill, I will be staying there, too, and I got a pretty good rate, together with a discount from using Amex points. As you say, it seems like a good location, and reviews are quite positive.
We are staying at the Hampton Inn Center City just across from the convention center downtown.
I myself would rather spend half as much (including the SEPTA fare) and earn 500 AGR points plus HHonors points!
A training I will go ... !
#26
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Posted 27 March 2012 - 11:51 AM
Yes, that's the standard rate, but one of the nice things about Amex points is that you can use them to reduce the total cost of a hotel stay, So by using points, I ended up with a significantly lower daily rate. Works for me, but YMMV. I'm paying for this trip with about four different kinds of points (AGR, Amex from my business, another credit card, and an airline -- ugh. Haven't made that reservation yet, as I'm sure not looking forward to flying).I don't exactly know what you call a "good rate", but I just checked and it is $200+ per night
Where you'll find my posts: // All Aboard Washington (website, Facebook) // Amtrak Unlimited Forum Group (Facebook) // Grow Trains (website, Facebook, Twitter) // Restore the Pioneer Train (website, Facebook, Twitter) // Save the Seattle Waterfront Streetcar (Again) (website, Facebook, Twitter) // Transit Riders of Puget Sound (Facebook) // Trains on FB (Facebook) //
Petitions: Save the Seattle Waterfront Streetcar // Save King County Metro bus service
#27
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Posted 27 March 2012 - 12:11 PM
I don't exactly know what you call a "good rate", but I just checked and it is $200+ per night, as opposed to the ES of about $100 per night! Unless you used a site like Hotwire or Priceline, but don't expect to get any AGR or hotel points. They SPECIFICALY exclude them!
Bill, I will be staying there, too, and I got a pretty good rate, together with a discount from using Amex points. As you say, it seems like a good location, and reviews are quite positive.
We are staying at the Hampton Inn Center City just across from the convention center downtown.
I myself would rather spend half as much (including the SEPTA fare) and earn 500 AGR points plus HHonors points!
When I looked earlier today, the Hampton Inn AAA rate was $179, which is a little high for me. I would rather stay in town, but there is only so much I am willing to pay.
Amtrak miles: 101,379; Routes: Silver Meteor, Champion (1973), Silver Star, Auto Train, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Lakeshore Limited, Adirondack, Vermonter, Cardinal, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Texas Eagle (CHI-STL), Missouri River Runner, Acela Express (FC), Southwest Chief, Cascades, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Hiawatha Service, Maple Leaf, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Downeaster.
VIA miles: 4,584; Routes: The Canadian (westbound), Ocean (eastbound/westbound).
#28
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Posted 27 March 2012 - 10:51 PM
I don't exactly know what you call a "good rate", but I just checked and it is $200+ per night, as opposed to the ES of about $100 per night! Unless you used a site like Hotwire or Priceline, but don't expect to get any AGR or hotel points. They SPECIFICALY exclude them!
Bill, I will be staying there, too, and I got a pretty good rate, together with a discount from using Amex points. As you say, it seems like a good location, and reviews are quite positive.
We are staying at the Hampton Inn Center City just across from the convention center downtown.
I myself would rather spend half as much (including the SEPTA fare) and earn 500 AGR points plus HHonors points!
When I looked earlier today, the Hampton Inn AAA rate was $179, which is a little high for me. I would rather stay in town, but there is only so much I am willing to pay.
When we booked the room, we paid $152 for two nights and $179 for two nights so it averaged out around $165 for Thurs-Monday of our stay. We will be receiving AGR points since it was booked through Hilton with AAA discount. I know there are cheaper places near the airport but we want to explore downtown Philly and like having a place to stay close in case my health problems start acting up.
Trains Ridden So Far:
Lake Shore Ltd, Capitol Ltd, Pennsylvanian, NE Corridors, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Hoosier, SW Chief, Surfliners, California Capitol Corridors, Coast Starlight, Cascades. Texas Eagle, San Joaquins, Missouri River Runner,Cardinal, Downeaster, Silver Meteor, Keystones, Auto Train -- 50,822 Amtrak miles & counting
#29
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Posted 28 March 2012 - 01:24 AM
When we booked the room, we paid $152 for two nights and $179 for two nights so it averaged out around $165 for Thurs-Monday of our stay. We will be receiving AGR points since it was booked through Hilton with AAA discount. I know there are cheaper places near the airport but we want to explore downtown Philly and like having a place to stay close in case my health problems start acting up.
Bill,
Be sure to set your HH account to points & variable miles prior to your stay at the Hampton. If you're on points & fixed miles you'll only get 100 AGR points from Hilton. On variable miles you'll get 1 point for every dollar spent on the room, which will earn you many more AGR points.
Alan,
Take care and take trains!
Take care and take trains!
#30
Everydaymatters
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Posted 28 March 2012 - 05:38 AM
I have a reservation at the Hampton Inn Philadelphia-International Airport for $116/Night.
Usually I reserve a couple of hotels and then cancel all except the one I want to stay in. So far this is my only reservation, but as soon as I find some time I'll look for others.
Usually I reserve a couple of hotels and then cancel all except the one I want to stay in. So far this is my only reservation, but as soon as I find some time I'll look for others.
Routes Traveled: Desert Wind, Southwest Chief, Missouri Mule, Empire Builder, Capitol Ltd., Lincoln Service, Lake Shore Ltd., Missouri River Runner, City of New Orleans, Cardinal, Silver Meteor, Texas Eagle, Cascades, Broadway Ltd., Acela, Downeaster, Sunset Ltd., Coast Starlight, California Zephyr 64,137 Amtrak miles
#31
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Posted 28 March 2012 - 08:49 AM
Likewise. That is where I am currently and I am monitoring the situation as it unfolds and will make changes if justified by new availabilities.I have a reservation at the Hampton Inn Philadelphia-International Airport for $116/Night.
Usually I reserve a couple of hotels and then cancel all except the one I want to stay in. So far this is my only reservation, but as soon as I find some time I'll look for others.
#32
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Posted 28 March 2012 - 07:30 PM
Thanks Alan for the heads up. I must remember to do that whenever we stay at rooms costing over $100 since Hampton Inns have more restricted rules than regular Hiltons.
When we booked the room, we paid $152 for two nights and $179 for two nights so it averaged out around $165 for Thurs-Monday of our stay. We will be receiving AGR points since it was booked through Hilton with AAA discount. I know there are cheaper places near the airport but we want to explore downtown Philly and like having a place to stay close in case my health problems start acting up.
Bill,
Be sure to set your HH account to points & variable miles prior to your stay at the Hampton. If you're on points & fixed miles you'll only get 100 AGR points from Hilton. On variable miles you'll get 1 point for every dollar spent on the room, which will earn you many more AGR points.
Trains Ridden So Far:
Lake Shore Ltd, Capitol Ltd, Pennsylvanian, NE Corridors, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Hoosier, SW Chief, Surfliners, California Capitol Corridors, Coast Starlight, Cascades. Texas Eagle, San Joaquins, Missouri River Runner,Cardinal, Downeaster, Silver Meteor, Keystones, Auto Train -- 50,822 Amtrak miles & counting
#33
pennyk
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Posted 22 April 2012 - 05:06 PM
As of earlier today, the AAA rate for one person room at Airport Marriott Courtyard was $95/night.
Amtrak miles: 101,379; Routes: Silver Meteor, Champion (1973), Silver Star, Auto Train, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder, Lakeshore Limited, Adirondack, Vermonter, Cardinal, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Texas Eagle (CHI-STL), Missouri River Runner, Acela Express (FC), Southwest Chief, Cascades, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Hiawatha Service, Maple Leaf, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Downeaster.
VIA miles: 4,584; Routes: The Canadian (westbound), Ocean (eastbound/westbound).
#34
Everydaymatters
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 06:20 AM
Penny, I just checked and the senior rate is $144/night. Must be something wrong????
Routes Traveled: Desert Wind, Southwest Chief, Missouri Mule, Empire Builder, Capitol Ltd., Lincoln Service, Lake Shore Ltd., Missouri River Runner, City of New Orleans, Cardinal, Silver Meteor, Texas Eagle, Cascades, Broadway Ltd., Acela, Downeaster, Sunset Ltd., Coast Starlight, California Zephyr 64,137 Amtrak miles
#35
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 08:01 AM
Penny, I just checked and the senior rate is $144/night. Must be something wrong????
Betty,
I experienced the same thing yesterday. I switched to the AAA rate rather than the
Senior rate. It may be worth a phone call to the hotel. It is quite unusual that
the Senior rate is that much more than the AAA. Good Luck.
Spirit of St Louis, Broadway Limited, Three Rivers, Cardinal, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Star, Pennsylvanian, Keystone, Silver Meteor, Regional, Acela, Capitol Limited, Hoosier State, Texas Eagle, Maple Leaf, Empire Service, Ethan Allen, Eurostar, TGV, BR, Orient Express, Netherlands Rail, SCNF, DSB, Deutsche Bahn, KCRC, MRT, MTR, California Zephyr, Carolinian, Missouri River Runner, Lincoln Service, Crescent, Sunset Limited, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight, Cascades, Pacific Surfliner, BART, CalTrain, NJ Transit, SEPTA, PATCO, Dinky, MBTA, Downeaster, UTA Trax
#37
the_traveler
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 11:04 AM
jimhudson and I also grabbed the $95 rate at the Courtyard! Thanks for the heads up!
A training I will go ... !
#38
the_traveler
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 11:06 AM
Yes - chose AAA and the $95 rate come up!Betty,
Penny, I just checked and the senior rate is $144/night. Must be something wrong????
I experienced the same thing yesterday. I switched to the AAA rate rather than the
Senior rate. It may be worth a phone call to the hotel. It is quite unusual that
the Senior rate is that much more than the AAA. Good Luck.
A training I will go ... !
#39
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 01:44 PM
Note: If there is anyone out there who doesn't have a AAA card, you may want to seek out someone who is arriving on the same day around the same time who does have a AAA card. One is permitted to reserve two rooms using the AAA discount. So if two parties are going to arrive around the same time, one with AAA and one without, the one with AAA can book both rooms.
Upon checkin, you can each still swipe your own credit cards such that you don't have to put it all on one CC. Additionally, if both have Marriott Reward numbers, you can each get points to your own accounts. If only one has MR, then they can collect points for both rooms.
Please, no open plans in this topic. Just put out a simple query if you don't have AAA and then deal with things via PM or email. Thanks!
Upon checkin, you can each still swipe your own credit cards such that you don't have to put it all on one CC. Additionally, if both have Marriott Reward numbers, you can each get points to your own accounts. If only one has MR, then they can collect points for both rooms.
Please, no open plans in this topic. Just put out a simple query if you don't have AAA and then deal with things via PM or email. Thanks!
Alan,
Take care and take trains!
Take care and take trains!
#40
PRR 60
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Posted 24 April 2012 - 06:44 PM
One other thought: The PHL Airport Marriott has AAA rooms available for $111 that weekend. Obviously, that is $16 more than the Courtyard and, unlike Courtyard, internet at the full service Marriott is not free (unless you are an elite member of Marriott Rewards). However, the Airport Marriott is not just near the airport, like the Courtyard and all other airport hotels. It is in the airport. The SEPTA airport train is literally just down the corridor (entirely indoors). There is no shuttle van or long walk required to get to the train downtown. Plus, if there is anyone flying in for the Gathering, the advantages of a hotel inside the airport are obvious.
For those who might be interested:
Philadelphia Airport Marriott
For those who might be interested:
Philadelphia Airport Marriott
Edited by PRR 60, 24 April 2012 - 06:46 PM.
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