Elite Status to the Rescue

One of the perks of being a traveling nurse practitioner is that I get to stay in hotels often. I don’t mind staying in hotels because I am able to accumulate hotel elite status and points. Hotel elite status comes with certain perks such as late check out, free breakfast, free upgrades etc.

I mostly use these benefits when I travel for leisure. In the past I have been upgraded to 2-bedroom suites; been provided with lounge access and continental breakfast; been able to check in as early as 6 am; and been able to check out as late at 4 pm.

My first week in Kentucky I stayed at the Residence Inn Marriott. I like staying at this type of hotel because they provide a kitchen. I typically stay at a hotel during my first week on an assignment while I check out rental properties in person.

I didn’t find an apartment I was interested in until the end of the week, so I wouldn’t be able to move in until the end of the following week. Thus, I needed to extend my hotel stay for an extra week. My agency told me that unfortunately, my hotel was sold out next week so I would have to move into another hotel.

Moving into 3 different places within 2 weeks isn’t ideal. I remembered that since I have the highest elite status with Marriott, which is Titanium status, that I was guaranteed a room as long as I booked 48 hours in advance. In this instance, it was more than 48 hours in advance.

So, I contacted the hotel and told them my case and they said as long as the hotel wasn’t overbooked I was correct. Luckily, they were able to find some space for me and I could even stay in the same hotel room. Having elite status with this hotel chain allowed me to secure a room even when they were “sold out” and prevented me from having to move again.

Do you have elite status with any hotel chains?