#late checkout a Ritz-Carlton story

[lefteagleblizzard]

𝔐𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔴

Summary: You arrive at The Ritz-Carlton for an interview, ready to write a journal about the place, but the charming concierge quickly turns the conversation into something more intimate. As the tension builds, the line between professional and personal blurs.

Prompt number nine of the jhutch promptober made by @joshfutturman <3 “journal”.

Inspired by “A late checkout Ritz-Carlton story”. I didn't give this new character a name because I honestly had no idea what to call him. I like the mysterious vibe he gives off, and I'm honestly terrible at naming characters :)

Tags: no pronouns used towards the reader so everyone can read. No use of Y/N. fluff. Subtle flirting. Making out. Heated kiss. Allusions of smut at the end.

Words count: 1200 words

You step into The Ritz-Carlton, the grandeur of the hotel washing over you immediately. The elegance of the polished marble floors, the soft, ambient lighting, and the quiet murmurs of guests moving about create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Your focus, however, is fixed on the interview you're about to conduct.

When you arrive at his office, he's already there, sitting casually behind his desk. He looks up at you as you enter, his expression unreadable for a moment before it softens into a warm, welcoming smile.

"Ah, there you are," he says smoothly, standing up and extending a hand. "I've been expecting you."

His voice has a certain charm to it, deep but with an easy, almost conspiratorial tone. You shake his hand, feeling a brief flutter of nerves under his gaze.

"Thanks for making the time," you say, taking the seat he gestures to. You settle into the plush chair, pulling out your notebook and pen. "I'm here to learn more about your role here at the Ritz and in general about this wonderful place."

He chuckles, leaning back in his chair and eyeing you with a glimmer of amusement. "Oh, you know, I'm just here to make sure everything runs smoothly. Guests are happy, problems solved, the usual." His gaze flickers to yours, holding it for just a moment too long. "What’s your first thought that came to your mind when arriving here?"

You clear your throat, caught off-guard by the intensity in his eyes. "There's a certain... charisma here."

He smirks, his eyes never leaving yours. "Charisma, huh? I'll take that as a compliment." He leans forward slightly, resting his forearms on the desk, his posture relaxed yet somehow charged with energy. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What exactly would you like to know?"

You focus on your notes, trying to ignore the way your pulse quickens every time he looks at you like that.

"I see...so, you’re almost a guardian of sorts here?" you ask, pushing through the unexpected tension.

He chuckles, leaning forward slightly. "Guardian, problem solver, call it what you want." His tone turns softer, more intimate. "I just like making sure things go..... smoothly."

There's a pause, and you realize he's watching you carefully, waiting for your response. You try to focus on the next question. "The hotel itself plays a significant role in making the guest feel welcome. How do you think the setting contributes to the atmosphere and in which way?"

He leans back in his chair again, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "The hotel is everything. It’s part of the experience. People come here expecting one thing, but they leave with something entirely different. This place has a way of... revealing things about you. Things you didn't even know were there."

His eyes lock onto yours, and for a moment, you feel as though he's not talking about the hotel at all. Your breath catches in your throat, but you manage to stay focused.

"That's fascinating," you say, your voice a little shakier than you'd like. "Do you think that's why you seem to have such a... deep connection to the guests?"

"Exactly," he replies, his tone softening. "I think I know what people need before they do. I can be good at reading people, knowing when to push, when to hold back... when to offer a little something extra." His gaze drops to your lips for a split second before returning to your eyes, and your heart skips a beat.

"And do you... enjoy your role here?"

He laughs, a rich sound that fills the room. "Oh, I enjoy it very much. It's fun, you know? Pushing boundaries, seeing how far you can go before someone notices. Like right now, for example." He grins at you, his eyes dancing with amusement.

You blink, unsure if you heard him correctly. "Right now?"

He nods, still smiling.

"Speaking of personal," he adds, pushing back from the desk, "how do you take your coffee?"

You blink at the sudden change in topic. "Oh... just black, thanks," you stammer, trying to regain control of the conversation. He smiles, standing up and heading to the corner of the room where a small coffee maker is perched. You take a moment to breathe, wondering if you're imagining the tension between you.

Is this really happening?

You're supposed to be interviewing him, but he's turned the tables so effortlessly that you're the one who feels like you're being scrutinized.

When he returns, two mugs in hand, you expect him to sit across from you at his desk. Instead, he sits down right next to you on the plush sofa, close enough that you can feel the heat from his body. He hands you a mug, his fingers brushing yours for a brief, electrifying moment.

"Here you go," he says, his voice soft and intimate. "I hope you like it."

You take the mug, your hands trembling slightly. "Thanks," you murmur, taking a small sip.

He doesn't say anything for a moment, just watches you as you drink, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, without warning, he leans in, his face inches from yours.

"So," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, "what would you like to know?"

Your mind goes blank, the only thing you can focus on is how close he is, how his breath is warm against your skin. You swallow hard, trying to remember what you were going to ask, but nothing comes out.

He smirks, enjoying your flustered state. "No more questions?" he teases, his voice dripping with amusement. "I thought you wanted to know all about me."

"I-I do," you stammer, your heart racing. "It's just..."

"Just what?" he asks, leaning in even closer, his lips almost brushing yours. "Too distracted?"

You can't find the words, so you simply nod, your breath coming in short, shallow bursts.

He chuckles softly, his lips so close to yours that you can feel the warmth of them. "Is this okay?" he whispers, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down your spine.

You nod again, and before you can say anything else, he closes the gap, his lips pressing against yours in a deep, hungry kiss. His hand cups the back of your head, pulling you closer as his tongue slides past your lips, exploring with an urgency that leaves you breathless.

When he finally pulls back, his lips still hovering near yours, he smiles. "Maybe we should continue this somewhere else. How about I give you a private tour? We could start with my room." His voice is a seductive whisper, his eyes gleaming with desire.

Your pulse quickens at the suggestion, and all you can do is nod, anticipation swirling in your chest.

If you liked this story please leave a comment, I love reading them <3.

[j1992hutch]

josh hutcherson in late checkout: a ritz-carlton story

[charlotteswebbbbb]

"Late Checkout: A Ritz Carlton Story", directed by Roger Gonzalez. Ritz-Carlton collaboration with Late Checkout.

[dippedanddripped]

Late Checkout: A Ritz-Carlton Story

[touristguidebuzz]

What Are Points & Miles Worth? January 2017 Monthly Valuations

You can view all posts in the Monthly Valuation Series here.

One of the questions I’m asked most often is “How much is a point or mile worth?” The answer varies from person to person, and depends on how well you can maximize a particular loyalty currency. Still, some rewards are clearly worth more than others — my goal is to give you a sense of how they stack up.

To give you some context, I’ve included my valuations from one year ago and from December. This month I boosted one airline frequent flyer program thanks to some positive changes that went into effect this past month. As always, you’ll find plenty of other program-related news in the What Changed/News column.

The Calculations

There isn’t a mathematical formula at work here. At some point I’d like to create a system that could calculate a precise value based on award availability, fees, award levels and ease of accrual, but for now these valuations are based on a combination of how much I would pay to buy points if given the opportunity, and the overall value I could get from redeeming them.

I encourage you to share your thoughts where you think I’m off base (and on point, no pun intended), and I’ll take TPG reader feedback into consideration when I update the list next month. This list doesn’t include every currency under the sun, and I’ll work to add more moving forward, so let me know which ones you’d like to see featured.

PROGRAM January 2016 (cents) December 2016  (cents) January 2017 (cents) What Changed/ News? American Express Membership Rewards 1.9 1.9 1.9 Amex teams up with Pharrell to design Platinum benefits. Pop-up Centurion Lounge at LAX. Bonus points for business referrals. Barclaycard Arrival Miles 1.0 1.0 1.0 Capital One 1.0 1.0 1.0 Chase Ultimate Rewards 2.1 2.1 2.1 Sapphire Reserve bonus will decrease soon. Activate new bonus categories for Chase Freedom Card. Citi ThankYou Rewards 1.6 1.6 1.6 Citi is losing Virgin America as a transfer partner. Transfer bonus to Hilton HHonors. Diners Club Rewards 2.1 2.1 2.1 FlexPerks 1.33-2 1.33-2 1.33-2 Aeroplan 1.5 1.5 1.5 Easy 250 miles for sharing travel stories. Awards to Cuba are returning. Alaska 2.0 1.8 1.9 New award prices and other updates. Transfer from Virgin America to Mileage Plan. Redeem miles on JAL. American 1.7 1.5 1.5 Aviator Red Card open to new applications. New JFK Admirals Club open for business. Extend or boost elite status. ANA 1.5  1.6 1.6 Avianca 1.7 1.7 1.7 British Airways 1.6 1.5 1.5 Award sweet spots to Ireland. Earn triple Avios this winter. 10% Visa discount extended through 2017. Delta 1.2 1.2 1.2 SkyMiles adds Jet Airways as latest partner, but will lose Alaska Airlines. Comfort+ upgrades for SPG elites. Check out renovated Sky Club at RDU. Emirates 1.2 1.2 1.2 Bonus miles and elite status with current promotion. Get a discount for first class fares. Etihad – 1.4 1.4 Flying Blue 1.3 1.3 1.3 Air France’s La Premiere lounge in Paris will close for renovations. Frontier 1.1 1.1 1.1 Hawaiian – 1.2 1.2 JetBlue 1-1.4 1-1.4 1-1.4 Korean Air – 1.7 1.7 Online booking now available for SkyTeam awards. Miles & More 1.4 1.4 1.4 Singapore Airlines 1.5 1.5 1.5 Singapore A350 service coming to Houston. Southwest 1.3 1.5 1.5 Hotel transfers will no longer count toward Companion Pass. Newest routes to Mexico hit a snag. United 1.5 1.5 1.5 Comparing Polaris premium cabins. Fewer upgrades on Hawaii flights. United’s first 777-300ER delivered. Check out the new United Club at LAX. Virgin America 1.5-2.3 1.5-2.3 1.5-2.3 Google Flights adds direct booking option. Virgin Atlantic 1.5 1.3 1.3 Club Carlson 0.4 0.4 0.4 Choice Privileges 0.6 0.6 0.6 Hilton 0.5 0.5 0.5 Earn 5,000 bonus points on all stays. Category changes at 11 properties. New criteria for lifetime Diamond status. Hyatt 1.8 1.8 1.8 Major changes coming to loyalty program. More details about lifetime Globalist status. IHG 0.7 0.7 0.7 Q1 Accelerate promotion now open. 2017 category changes announced. Elite members get late checkout benefit. Marriott 0.7 0.9 0.9 Referral bonus for Marriott Premier card. Double points promotion (includes Starwood and Ritz). Ritz-Carlton  0.7  0.9 0.9 Starwood 2.5 2.7 2.7 End of partnerships with Caesars and Virgin America. Elite members get benefits on China Eastern Airlines. Wyndham 1.2 1.2  1.2 Wyndham acquires Fën Hotels. Amtrak 2.5 2.5 2.5

Movers and Shakers

Several loyalty programs made changes in December, and others announced updates that will take place in the coming months. As usual, the news is mixed. Several partnerships are ending (like Starwood and Total Rewards, or Citi and Virgin America), while others are now active (like Delta and Jet Airways). Some programs weakened or removed benefits (like United upgrades to Hawaii) while others added or strengthened them (like IHG’s late checkout). All of these changes have a tangible effect, but in most cases I felt they were too small to impact my valuations.

Alaska Airlines made several positive changes to its frequent flyer program in December.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

December Value: 1.8 cents. January Value: 1.9 cents. Valuation: Alaska had a particularly busy month. The Mileage Plan program launched reduced mileage awards starting at just 5,000 miles one-way, and finally began allowing members to book awards on JAL. Finally, the merger with Virgin America enabled a new transfer opportunity, as Elevate points can now be sent to Mileage Plan at a favorable 1:1.3 ratio.

The only negative was the announcement that Alaska and Delta are breaking up in 2017. The two airlines will end their codeshare agreement in May, and passengers will no longer be able to redeem miles or receive reciprocal elite benefits between the respective programs. That’s a big negative, but Alaska will still have a healthy roster of partners that includes American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more. I credit Alaska for continuing to operate a distance-based loyalty program, and I think these changes are a net positive for Mileage Plan members.

Associated Credit Cards: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card.

Citi is losing Virgin America as a transfer partner, but it’s not a big loss because of the 2:1 transfer ratio.

Citi ThankYou Rewards

December Value: 1.6 cents. January Value: 1.6 cents. Valuation: Citi recently announced that as of January 22, 2017, ThankYou Rewards will no longer transfer to Virgin America. That’s disappointing, especially for a program that’s already lacking in terms of domestic airline partners. However, due to the miserable 2:1 transfer ratio, Virgin America wasn’t a good transfer option to begin with. It would have been somewhat more attractive now that Elevate points can transfer to Alaska Airlines, but this change ultimately doesn’t affect my outlook on ThankYou points.

Associated Credit Cards: Citi Prestige Card, Citi ThankYou Premier Card

Starwood is ending its partnership with Caesars and Total Rewards.

Starwood Preferred Guest

December Value: 2.7 cents. January Value: 2.7 cents. Valuation: Like Citi, SPG is losing Virgin America as a transfer partner, making it one of the most short-lived transfer options I can remember (the partnership started in April of 2016). Starpoints transferred to the Elevate program at 1:1, so this is a more significant loss. Starwood also announced the end of its partnership with Total Rewards (the loyalty program of Caesars Entertainment). That was useful for earning extra Starpoints during stays at Caesars properties, but wasn’t a good value on the redemption side.

On the plus side, Starwood elite members will now be able to earn Starpoints and receive select benefits when flying China Eastern Airlines. Furthermore, Starwood Platinum members will now be eligible for Comfort+ upgrades on Delta Air Lines. Those changes don’t make up for the others mentioned above, but they certainly don’t hurt. SPG still boasts an excellent roster of airline transfer partners, and while these program updates are a net negative, the impact isn’t enough for me to change my valuation.

Associated Credit Cards: Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card and Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express.

Delta and Alaska Airlines are breaking up, but not until May.

Delta SkyMiles

December Value: 1.2 cents. January Value: 1.2 cents. Valuation: This past month, Delta announced that it will lose one airline partner, but gain another. As I mentioned previously, Alaska and Delta will part ways in May. However, Indian carrier Jet Airways has been added as a Group 1 partner. That doesn’t help domestic travelers, but it creates some good opportunities for international flyers to earn SkyMiles and Medallion elite credits on Jet Airways flights. You won’t be able to use SkyMiles for Jet Airways awards until March, so we’ll have to wait and see whether the partnership bears any fruits on the redeeming side.

Associated Credit Cards: Gold Delta SkyMiles Card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card, Delta Reserve Card.

Which programs would you like to see added to the list?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

APPLY NOW

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Named Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2016

2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening

No foreign transaction fees

1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs

Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel

No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards

Intro APR Regular APR Annual Fee Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Rating N/A 16.24%-23.24% Variable Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95 0% Excellent Credit

[g0ry0re0]

YES YES YES IVE BEEN WAITING FOR CONTENT FOR THIS SHORT FILM HES SO GOOD IN IT

I LOVED THIS SM AAA 💜💜💜

I feel like you captured the charisma of the character so well, I was like blushing and kicking my feet 😭

𝔐𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔧𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔠𝔦𝔢𝔴

Summary: You arrive at The Ritz-Carlton for an interview, ready to write a journal about the place, but the charming concierge quickly turns the conversation into something more intimate. As the tension builds, the line between professional and personal blurs.

Prompt number nine of the jhutch promptober made by @joshfutturman <3 “journal”.

Inspired by “A late checkout Ritz-Carlton story”. I didn't give this new character a name because I honestly had no idea what to call him. I like the mysterious vibe he gives off, and I'm honestly terrible at naming characters :)

Tags: no pronouns used towards the reader so everyone can read. No use of Y/N. fluff. Subtle flirting. Making out. Heated kiss. Allusions of smut at the end.

Words count: 1200 words

You step into The Ritz-Carlton, the grandeur of the hotel washing over you immediately. The elegance of the polished marble floors, the soft, ambient lighting, and the quiet murmurs of guests moving about create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Your focus, however, is fixed on the interview you're about to conduct.

When you arrive at his office, he's already there, sitting casually behind his desk. He looks up at you as you enter, his expression unreadable for a moment before it softens into a warm, welcoming smile.

"Ah, there you are," he says smoothly, standing up and extending a hand. "I've been expecting you."

His voice has a certain charm to it, deep but with an easy, almost conspiratorial tone. You shake his hand, feeling a brief flutter of nerves under his gaze.

"Thanks for making the time," you say, taking the seat he gestures to. You settle into the plush chair, pulling out your notebook and pen. "I'm here to learn more about your role here at the Ritz and in general about this wonderful place."

He chuckles, leaning back in his chair and eyeing you with a glimmer of amusement. "Oh, you know, I'm just here to make sure everything runs smoothly. Guests are happy, problems solved, the usual." His gaze flickers to yours, holding it for just a moment too long. "What’s your first thought that came to your mind when arriving here?"

You clear your throat, caught off-guard by the intensity in his eyes. "There's a certain... charisma here."

He smirks, his eyes never leaving yours. "Charisma, huh? I'll take that as a compliment." He leans forward slightly, resting his forearms on the desk, his posture relaxed yet somehow charged with energy. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What exactly would you like to know?"

You focus on your notes, trying to ignore the way your pulse quickens every time he looks at you like that.

"I see...so, you’re almost a guardian of sorts here?" you ask, pushing through the unexpected tension.

He chuckles, leaning forward slightly. "Guardian, problem solver, call it what you want." His tone turns softer, more intimate. "I just like making sure things go..... smoothly."

There's a pause, and you realize he's watching you carefully, waiting for your response. You try to focus on the next question. "The hotel itself plays a significant role in making the guest feel welcome. How do you think the setting contributes to the atmosphere and in which way?"

He leans back in his chair again, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "The hotel is everything. It’s part of the experience. People come here expecting one thing, but they leave with something entirely different. This place has a way of... revealing things about you. Things you didn't even know were there."

His eyes lock onto yours, and for a moment, you feel as though he's not talking about the hotel at all. Your breath catches in your throat, but you manage to stay focused.

"That's fascinating," you say, your voice a little shakier than you'd like. "Do you think that's why you seem to have such a... deep connection to the guests?"

"Exactly," he replies, his tone softening. "I think I know what people need before they do. I can be good at reading people, knowing when to push, when to hold back... when to offer a little something extra." His gaze drops to your lips for a split second before returning to your eyes, and your heart skips a beat.

"And do you... enjoy your role here?"

He laughs, a rich sound that fills the room. "Oh, I enjoy it very much. It's fun, you know? Pushing boundaries, seeing how far you can go before someone notices. Like right now, for example." He grins at you, his eyes dancing with amusement.

You blink, unsure if you heard him correctly. "Right now?"

He nods, still smiling.

"Speaking of personal," he adds, pushing back from the desk, "how do you take your coffee?"

You blink at the sudden change in topic. "Oh... just black, thanks," you stammer, trying to regain control of the conversation. He smiles, standing up and heading to the corner of the room where a small coffee maker is perched. You take a moment to breathe, wondering if you're imagining the tension between you.

Is this really happening?

You're supposed to be interviewing him, but he's turned the tables so effortlessly that you're the one who feels like you're being scrutinized.

When he returns, two mugs in hand, you expect him to sit across from you at his desk. Instead, he sits down right next to you on the plush sofa, close enough that you can feel the heat from his body. He hands you a mug, his fingers brushing yours for a brief, electrifying moment.

"Here you go," he says, his voice soft and intimate. "I hope you like it."

You take the mug, your hands trembling slightly. "Thanks," you murmur, taking a small sip.

He doesn't say anything for a moment, just watches you as you drink, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, without warning, he leans in, his face inches from yours.

"So," he says, his voice barely above a whisper, "what would you like to know?"

Your mind goes blank, the only thing you can focus on is how close he is, how his breath is warm against your skin. You swallow hard, trying to remember what you were going to ask, but nothing comes out.

He smirks, enjoying your flustered state. "No more questions?" he teases, his voice dripping with amusement. "I thought you wanted to know all about me."

"I-I do," you stammer, your heart racing. "It's just..."

"Just what?" he asks, leaning in even closer, his lips almost brushing yours. "Too distracted?"

You can't find the words, so you simply nod, your breath coming in short, shallow bursts.

He chuckles softly, his lips so close to yours that you can feel the warmth of them. "Is this okay?" he whispers, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down your spine.

You nod again, and before you can say anything else, he closes the gap, his lips pressing against yours in a deep, hungry kiss. His hand cups the back of your head, pulling you closer as his tongue slides past your lips, exploring with an urgency that leaves you breathless.

When he finally pulls back, his lips still hovering near yours, he smiles. "Maybe we should continue this somewhere else. How about I give you a private tour? We could start with my room." His voice is a seductive whisper, his eyes gleaming with desire.

Your pulse quickens at the suggestion, and all you can do is nod, anticipation swirling in your chest.

If you liked this story please leave a comment, I love reading them <3.