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.