"Northrop Grumman's Marriott code NOR is a major defense contractor code. Defense contractor employee IDs are classified security badges that staff recognize. Properties near Northrop Grumman facilities (Los Angeles, Falls Church VA, Melbourne FL, Huntsville AL) are most likely to encounter genuine Northrop employees. FlyerTalk's defense code thread: "Security badges from defense firms are hard to fake and staff know the look." US full-service properties near defense installations: 15-25% verification rate. Select-service: minimal."

"I don't do mobile check-in if I'm wanting to upgrade. I check the app before I go in to see if any suites are available to book during the duration of my stay. If there is I just say "Would it be possible to get upgraded to an available suite with my platinum benefit?". Of course this is typically at the hotel that I stay in about once a month for 3 day at a time for work. The front desk pretty much knows me and know that I am fairly low maintenance."

"I mean, when I worked night audit, the whole night is practically a break after like 1am. It was usually just me and one other guy running the place (the other guy is just cleaning and doesn’t know how to do front desk). We don’t get an actual “lunch break” where we have to clock out for 30 minutes because we can’t leave the desk completely unoccupied (unless you were going to the bathroom or tension to a guest away from the desk or something). And we just ate at our desks if we were hungry, not sitting in the back."