In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle. Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem and Barry Spitzer (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.
The Committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.
Additionally, API representatives provided statistics on our hotel and transportation portfolio, an update on the hotel environment, and an open forum where our Committee raised several Flight Attendant concerns.
Topics of Discussion
- API Support Update (pmAS): Although Crew Hotels manages both Alaska and Hawaiian hotel operations, API maintains two separate accounts, each specializing in supporting its respective airline’s operations. Given the size of the pmAS hotel operation, API recently increased support for the Alaska account. A new Director of Client Delivery was added, as well as an additional Account Director. This brings our total Account Directors to three. Account Directors assist with managing hotel sourcing, contracts, and hotel relationships. Operationally, Alaska has four onsite representatives who sit with Alaska Crew Scheduling in Seattle. During significant IROPs events, Alaska has the support of two offshore representatives in the Philippines.
- Process Improvements (pmAS): Over the past year, the Committee has raised frustrations and suggestions regarding hotel processes. API provided an update on past concerns, and an open forum was used to bring forward new ones.
- Pre-Paid Virtual Cards: When non-contracted hotels are used (such as hotels on our ad hoc list), payment is sent via a one-time-use virtual card. This is done to prevent fraud. Earlier this year, during a major IROP event in Mexico, it was discovered that a hotel on the ad hoc list could not accept virtual cards. We have not seen this domestically. API informed us that an audit of virtual card usage was conducted on our ad hoc hotels in CUN, and that a similar audit is being conducted in SJO and LIR, with completion slated for November. Contingency plans are being developed as an alternative.
- Hotel Provided Transportation (Sign-in Sheets): API’s systems are programmed to display the recommended departure time from the property on the sign-in sheet. This has posed a problem for hotels that provide transportation, as van times are set in specific departure increments (e.g., every 15 minutes on the quarter hour), which typically do not align with the recommended departure time. The Committee has been asking for months for a solution to display accurate van times. The API product team has been tasked with identifying a solution and testing workarounds.
- Site Visit Sourcing Calendar: Starting in 2027, Crew Hotels and API will align on the sourcing timeline for all markets. Historically, we have had hotel contracts expire in batches at various times throughout the year. For example, we may have 12 hotels whose contracts expire on December 31st of 2026, 2027, etc., and we know we can’t source them all at the same time. Going forward, all new contracts will move to a rolling calendar year, so the sourcing cadence will be even and consistent. Given that our contracts are typically 2-3 years in duration, we should have all hotel contracts on this cadence by the end of 2028.
- Sourcing Timeline (For Reference): These are all the steps involved, in subsequent order, in selecting a new crew hotel. Pre-sourcing ➔ Long List (all the hotels that fall into pre-sourcing criteria) ➔Request for Proposal (RFP – hotel bids on crew business) ➔ Destination Presentation (hotels that are interested are placed in a packet) ➔ Short List (AFA narrows down the choices to most viable options) ➔ Site Itinerary (schedule for site visit is determined) ➔ Site Visit, Report Writing (by AFA, ALPA, Crew Hotels) ➔ Best and Final Negotiations, Supplier Selected, Contracting, Executed Contract (we want a contract in place ideally 2 months prior to business)
- Other Miscellaneous Improvements: Digitized contracts, tightened up the TBD process in bid packets, moved to a different platform for invoicing, and tightened the ad hoc list.
- Market Specific Information (pmAS): A few months ago, management selected a new hotel in MIA. Although the hotel is stunning, the negative feedback received has centered on the isolation and the cost of on-site food. The hotel values crew business and has developed a discounted crew menu and a welcome letter to better illustrate the amenities offered to crew, which includes information on the complimentary South Beach Trolley shuttle.
What The Committee Is Working On
1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.
- Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through the rest of 2026 are:
- Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover), ORD (Long)
- Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
- Nov: IND, RDU (Long)
- Dec: SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
- TBD: PHX (Short), YVR (Long), ADQ, PVR
- Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through January 2027 are:
- Dec: ATH
- Jan: CDG
2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There are no new updates to share on the Hotel Gainshare program this month. Negotiations remain paused as management continues to express concerns about potential federal tax implications. AFA International has already submitted a detailed legal counterargument to the company’s Vice President of Tax and their outside counsel. However, the company’s attorney continues to advise against moving forward, citing tax law concerns. The next step remains to secure an independent review from a tax attorney. We know there is strong interest in this program and will continue to provide updates as soon as there is progress.
We Want to Hear From You!
Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee doesn’t monitor social media channels.
Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.
Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.
