Does Leaders Club get you a 1 category upgrade, like the AMEX Platiunum Card, or a best available upgrade, like Starwood Platinum?

I have only received one category upgrades with the Leaders Club. My last experience was two weeks ago, at the Kempinski Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg. They were very specific that they only allow a one category upgrade.

Agree with SanDiego1K: Leaders Club upgrades are by definition one category and member hotels adhere to this policy fairly strictly. However, being a regular and/or knowing the GM or someone on his staff can always add flexibility to this policy.

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 07-18-2002).]

How about LC used in conjunction with Amex Platinum?

Same experience here - one category upgrade, save in hotels where I had a track record.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by virtualtroy:
How about LC used in conjunction with Amex Platinum?</font>

In order to get the AMEX upgrade, you have to make your reservation through AMEX PTS. In order to get the LC upgrade, you have to make your reservation through LHW. Your best bet may be to make a reservation through AMEX, and then try to negotiate a second upgrade when you check in by referencing your LC status.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Blumie:
In order to get the LC upgrade, you have to make your reservation through LHW.</font>

Not true. I called The Clarence Hotel in Dublin directly and just gave them my LC number. I was given a room upgrade over the phone, which was a shock since LHW showed no availability (as well as the hotel's own website).

I think it depends upon the hotel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by diana:
Not true. I called The Clarence Hotel in Dublin directly and just gave them my LC number. I was given a room upgrade over the phone, which was a shock since LHW showed no availability (as well as the hotel's own website).

I think it depends upon the hotel.</font>

I have made reservations even through Hotels.com for LHW member hotels and upon check-in showed my card and always been upgraded. Not amazing upgrades, but always satisfactory rooms.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by diana:
Not true. I called The Clarence Hotel in Dublin directly and just gave them my LC number. I was given a room upgrade over the phone, which was a shock since LHW showed no availability (as well as the hotel's own website).

I think it depends upon the hotel.</font>

I should clarify: the terms of the program require that reservations be made through LHW. But I agree that some properties will provide the upgrade even if you book through them, which is why I suggested to virtualroy that he book through AMEX PLT, hopefully qualifying him for one upgrade, and then check in using his LC number, hopefully earning a second.

Not all LHW comply with upgrade policy. I recently stayed at the Rocco Forte Lowry Hotel in Manchester and was now provided with a room upgrade. My LC amenity was a book on the hotel. It was clear this was a copy that had been given to other guests, but they did not take it with them. There were stains on the back of the book like it had been used as a coaster. I tossed the book in the trash before I left. Otherwise, the hotel was very nice.

Have received suite upgrades at Rocco Forte hotel in Brussels from a standard room rate. Just depends on the hotel (really, the person who checks you in)

I just registered. I got an E-mail saying I would have more information within 72 hours. Does anyone know the process of acceptance. I chosen some of the 5 hotels that I have stayed at in the last 2 years. Do they just look at the hotels and dates and say, yes or what?

They really do investigate the hotel stays.

They really do? With all the applicants, each with 5 hotel choices, it would be difficult to check every one. All they can do is not accept my application. By the end of this year I will have 5. 2 at the BHH, 1 at the Las Ventanas, that means 3. I am going to NYC for the 4th of July. I can find one there, that makes 4. If only the Ritz Laguna Niguel was one. I would have 5.


I called the FS NYC and spoke with someone at the front desk. I asked if it was a member of the LHW, and she said yes. I knew it wasn't so I went to the LHW web site to see and as I suspected it wasn't. The Trump International Hotel and Tower sounded nice so I clicked on it for the dates I want and found a price of $397. This is for 2 nights! It is in there 1 bedroom Executive Suite.

They really do? With all the applicants, each with 5 hotel choices, it would be difficult to check every one. All they can do is not accept my application. By the end of this year I will have 5. 2 at the BHH, 1 at the Las Ventanas, that means 3. I am going to NYC for the 4th of July. I can find one there, that makes 4. If only the Ritz Laguna Niguel was one. I would have 5.


I called the FS NYC and spoke with someone at the front desk. I asked if it was a member of the LHW, and she said yes. I knew it wasn't so I went to the LHW web site to see and as I suspected it wasn't. The Trump International Hotel and Tower sounded nice so I clicked on it for the dates I want and found a price of $397. This is for 2 nights! It is in there 1 bedroom Executive Suite.

Pretty good. Summer rates in New York are lower and it seems like the Mandarin Oriental nearby has probably put a bit of a squeeze on the Trump Intl Hotel/Tower prices.

The Trump International Hotel and Tower sounded nice so I clicked on it for the dates I want and found a price of $397. This is for 2 nights! It is in there 1 bedroom Executive Suite.

That's a great rate for a great hotel. Ask for a park view when you check in.

I just registered. I got an E-mail saying I would have more information within 72 hours. Does anyone know the process of acceptance. I chosen some of the 5 hotels that I have stayed at in the last 2 years. Do they just look at the hotels and dates and say, yes or what?

Every time I've tried to register (I've done it at least 3 times) I never get a response. And my hotel stays are legit!

have you tried calling them?