You may, of course, already know that when flight attendants stay in a hotel with their airline on what is often referred to as a ‘layover’ that they don’t personally pay for the room.
It’s sometimes seen as a perk of being an aircrew that you get to stay in Four or Five Star hotels around the world at someone else’s expense, although I’m sure most flight attendants wouldn’t necessarily choose to stay in destinations like Des Moines if they had the choice.
The truth of the matter is that providing hotels for pilots and flight attendants during their layovers between flights is an absolute necessity, although added perks can make one airline a lot more attractive than another.
For example, some airlines have agreements with their crew unions that guarantee minimum standards such as ensuring flight attendants only stay in hotels in a central downtown location, or that hotels have a fitness center, room service, coffee makers and blackout blinds.
In some cases, hotels have to negotiate free hotel breakfasts for their crew or even lounge access – something that is normally only reserved for the highest of hotel elite members.
Obviously, booking all of these rooms in ‘nicer’ hotels is a huge undertaking which, even taking into account bulk booking discounts, can cost an airline a lot of money.
At United Airlines, however, flight attendants can help the Chicago-based carrier save a bit of money and make themselves a little of money if they opt out of taking a company-provided hotel room during a layover.
The so-called ‘Hotel Gainsharing’ policy allows flight attendants to pocket at least $20 per night based on how much United saves in canceling a hotel room that it no longer requires.
Of course, this benefit is of limited use to most flight attendants who really do need a hotel to stay in and, quite rightly, aren’t prepared to spend their own money.
However, when a flight attendant has plans to see friends of family in a destination or perhaps even take a trip during their layover that will necessitate them spending the night away from their crew hotel, then this comes in as a really useful perk.
The flight attendant makes a little money, United saves some cash, and the hotel gets the opportunity to sell the room at a last-minute rate.
A word of warning, however: once a flight attendant opts into the Hotel Gainsharing program for a night, their decision is locked in. If their plans fall through, then they’d be required to pick up the tab themselves.
Unfortunately, staying in a hotel isn’t always as glamorous or luxurious as it can be made out to be. Last year, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), which represents crew members at United, told its members to pack flashlights and latex gloves during their layovers so they could hunt for bedbugs when they arrived at their hotel.
A leaked memo also advised flight attendants to ditch fabric luggage in favor of hardshell cases with smooth surfaces, which make it harder for bedbugs to hitch a ride.
Flight attendants were told to use luggage racks or even a glass table to keep their luggage off the floor. Ziplock bags were also suggested as an essential item to keep delicate items quarantined away from lurking bed bugs.
Other airlines have had this for awhile (well at least a few). I know people who buddy bid and share a room on trips.
$20? That doesn’t even buy you a ride to the hotel
Mc Donald’s happy meal then sleep on a park bench
So a 200.00 night hotel and the flight attandants get 20.00. Hmmm sounds like the airlines is making money off their employees. Wonder how much their pilots get paid fir giving up their hotels.
Four or Five Star ? We wish, “In some cases, hotels have to negotiate free hotel breakfasts for their crew or even lounge access – something that is normally only reserved for the highest of hotel elite members” ? Who feeds you this rubbish?
40 years I have, Again, what buffoon do you rely upon for this info? Before you post misinformation please do some intel.
I agree with the comments so far. This article was created from an international country supported airline employee experience. As a retired US F/A, I can assure you that this article is not quite accurate for most cases.
As we all know, most airlines only care about their profit at ALL costs. You most likely have seen this from a passenger or employee point of view. A crew member will be sleeping in a budget motel near the airport often in an unsafe area with no place to eat. You might be close to a fast food place or gas station if you are lucky. There are longer overnights on occasion. Remember, effeciency to squeeze every bit out of you is the name of the game. Minimum FAA regulations or contractual provisions may give you some breathing room. Your body will tell you when you are close to a minimum. Those longer over nights will put you in a down town or built up location where more options might be available – if you were lucky enough to have this negotiated in your contract, if you are unionized.
Back in the old glory days of air transportation, yes, hotels were usually very nice. Remember, many airlines owned in part or whole hotel companies. An alliance that was smart due to the high need for hotel rooms for crew and stranded passengers. Now, they find the best deal at all costs. Do not let your eyes or experience fool you. This is not a reliable article for most cases. Safe travels. Good luck. ✈️
What a ridiculous article. 35 years as an F/A and our “Luxury” hotels are more like Motel 6. The liklihood that you have a layover where you live is close to zero. Plus to avoid paying for layover hotels there are more “turns” in Domestic schedules where you fly up to four flights per day and your layover is back at your home or commuter pad. Try something newsworthy and accurate next time.