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Selling Up, Locking In

Checking in at the Raffles Swisshotel Beijing - "You want executive room for xxx Yuan more?" ... "Better view, 2 hours free internet..." followed by "If you pay now you pay 24 hours internet access for only xxx Yuan". A coke and fries with that burger sounds great and indeed the room does have a better view of the smog.

To what extent does the customer acceptance of these 'offers' depend on how jetlagged the guest is? What are the variable factors that affect acceptance rates?

And with all the new data floating around (including the extended flight passenger manifests that the EU kindly sends the US) when, in 2010 you're checking into the Mondrian the receptionist loadedly asks you whether you'd like you'd to pay for that thai massage now or later its because, literally they know exactly where you've been.

Writing from Beijing | December 5, 2006 | Permalink