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Association of Flight Attendants-CWA United Master Executive Council

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Hotel Standards

AFA and United Agree to Hotel Standards

On September 22, 1999 United and the UAL MEC agreed to Hotel Inspection Guidelines that will provide United Corporate Travel Department and AFA hotel inspection teams a common set of criteria to use when conducting inspections of new and currently used approved and/or disapproved hotels. These guidelines are subject to change as agreed to by WHQBQ and AFA.

  1. Flight Attendants will be guaranteed non-smoking rooms at all locations, with a smoking room provided upon request, based on availability.
  2. The smallest acceptable bed size will be a double bed of U.S. standards. Hotel shall provide fresh linen and cleaning services before each use.
  3. Hotels will cash personal checks written by Flight Attendants upon presentation of a United Airlines ID. The hotels have agreed to cash $50.00(USD) or more. There will be no charge for toll-free 800 or credit card calls, and the hotel will not require a credit card imprint for any services.*
  4. Hotels shall meet the standards of a First Class hotel, and will at all times, keep its premises and rooms safe, clean and in a presentable condition. They shall perform all maintenance required to keep the premises in a tenantable condition.
  5. Whenever possible, rooms shall be in close proximity to one another, as well as on the second floor or higher, away from city and traffic noise, elevators, housekeeping rooms, ice/vending machines, and obvious construction or renovation noise.
  6. Hotels must meet or exceed all local safety standards and city fire codes and have either smoke or heat detectors building sprinkler systems or both.
  7. Exterior building doors, such as fire safety exits, employee entrances and loading/unloading docks entering the hotel will be locked and secured, or actively monitored (using a cctv or similar system) 24 hours a day.
  8. It is preferable that hotels provide rooms with windows that open.
  9. Flight Attendants must have food availability 24 hours per day that is located within the hotel, i.e. room service, or lounge menu availability.
  10. Individual room air conditioning/heat and fan controls will be provided by the hotel, either by a 4-pipe system or by using an alternative method, (i.e. HVAC system, etc.) However, because of geographical exceptions, this will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis.
  11. All rooms will provide both showers and tubs, but will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis.
  12. Dedicated security will be identifiable and on the property 24 hours a day, seven days per week. ("Dedicated security" means a person whose primary duty on site is specifically security related, and not an ancillary function.)
  13. AFA has the right to do unannounced visits to AFA hotels. However, the Director of WHQBQ will be advised of the visit by the AFA Hotel and Transportation Chairperson before the visit occurs, and, the Director has agreed not to contact the hotel prior to such visit.

*Note: Number 3 has been changed as of April 4, 2012 to read: Hotels that do not have an on-site automated cash dispensing machine (e.g., ATM) will cash personal checks written by Flight Attendants upon presentation of a United Airlines ID, the minimum amount being fifty dollars ($50.00 U.S. dollars).  There will be no charge for 800 or credit card access telephone calls, and hotels will not require a credit card imprint for any services.

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Using Self Help to Change Hotels

When is it appropriate to go to another hotel?

The answer may vary but can include things such as: no hot or cold water, no power, no heat or air conditioning, broken door locks, bugs or vermin of any kind in your room, no food availability whatsoever, noise that prohibits legal rest or any situation that threatens your safety or well-being.

Take Corrective Action

If you encounter any of these issues, the following action to correct your experience:

  1. Calmly attempt to resolve the issue with the people providing the service – the hotel.  Always ask to speak to a manager on duty.
  2. If this fails to fix the problem, call the United Hotel Desk (FLTLINE, Option 2) and ask for their assistance. 
  3. If you do not get a resolution to your situation through these two avenues, go to another hotel and take a taxi if necessary.  Ensure that you have the names of the hotel and company representatives with whom you've spoken too. Get receipts for all your expenses and submit a company expense report to your Supervisor to start the reimbursement process.
  4. Once settled into a different hotel, call Crew Scheduling and let them know where you are. Be aware that the Hotel Desk is not Crew Scheduling.

Don't be afraid to act in your best interests. The company is responsible for your safety on layovers. If they do not respond, take care of yourself.

Expenses and Reports

Ask your supervisor for the Employee Expense Report form.  In addition to filling out an expense report with receipts attached, write a TVLLOG detailing the persons with whom you've spoken at both the hotel and the Hotel Desk.  Make copies for yourself of the TVLLOG, expense reports and receipts. 

The AFA MEC Hotel and Transportation Committee meets with Crew Accommodations once a month to address problems and seek positive resolution.  Our advocacy is strengthened when problems are documented and trended through your TVLLOG reports.  Help us help you: use TVLLOG every time you experience a problem or conversely, a positive experience.

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