When the snow starts falling in the Alps, the Rockies, or the Japanese backcountry, savvy travelers know that where you swipe your loyalty card matters just as much as where you point your skis.
When elite status and stacks of points fail to deliver, what actually separates a great hotel loyalty program from a mediocre one is how its people treat you when things go sideways.
There's a quiet moment at every luxury hotel front desk when the agent glances at your reservation, pauses, and taps a few extra keys.