Marriott Rewards (including Ritz-Carlton) - Paris Upgrade Ideas

Soon I will be staying at the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees for ten nights all on points. Should I just thank Bill Marriott for the wonderful opportunity and just shut up? Or, how best to seek an upgrade to a larger room? Email ahead? Wait until I am at check in? Tip the front desk clerk? Beg? Or just be thankful I can use 320,000 points and leave it at that? I've been a loyal Marriott plat for five years, but first-time using points out of the USA? Thank you in advance for any hints.

Soon I will be staying at the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees for ten nights all on points. Should I just thank Bill Marriott for the wonderful opportunity and just shut up? Or, how best to seek an upgrade to a larger room? Email ahead? Wait until I am at check in? Tip the front desk clerk? Beg? Or just be thankful I can use 320,000 points and leave it at that? I've been a loyal Marriott plat for five years, but first-time using points out of the USA? Thank you in advance for any hints.

Things were different many years ago. There is nothing wrong with hoping for an upgrade. But on a 10 night stay in such a popular destination I believe that you have very little chance of getting a meaningful upgrade by any of those methods. Now, prove me wrong and post your results (because I will be there pretty soon also).

Don't know if you are an elite (Gold or Plat) as that will definitely help. I have heard that the Champs-Elysees Marriott can be very stingy with the upgrades, and being there for 10 days certainly won't help. Paris in May is a very popular time, so that may also work against you. If the hotel is sold out any days during your stay, your chances will be pretty slim. You can gain some insight into the hotel's occupancy by doing a dummy booking on Marriott.com for the dates you will be staying. If the hotel is not available any of those dates, it is probably sold out and your upgrade chances will only diminish. Regardless, you need to be proactive. Do not wait until check-in, if you are going to be disappointed if you don't receive an upgrade. You should get an email from the Virtual Concierge about a week or so before you stay. I would request your upgrade there, noting if it is a special occasion. I would also send an email to the GM at the hotel. Introducing yourself, again notating if you are celebrating a special occasion and kindly request an upgrade.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

RIP...

I stayed there on points, two rooms, four days and got an UG on one of the rooms. Keep in mind, "Larger Room" is a very relative term at this hotel!

My traveling companion on this trip still talks about the breakfast and bathtubs at this hotel. Both are awesome.

Have a good time there.

Stayed here for a few nights as part of my honeymoon recently. I emailed the GM prior to arrival to let him know that we were on our honeymoon and any upgrade would be appreciated. We were upgraded to a decent room, nothing spectacular, but nice. The honeymoon thing was awesome though because every day we had some really nice gifts (food/wine/chocolates) delivered to our room.

You should also take note that the hotel may offer you an upgrade for $ on the spot if you ask. These are rooms with a preferably better view, of the strip. If I remember correctly it wasn't cheap, something like $125 more a night, in addition to the points. And if you do some research on here you'll see that the people who have used that option generally don't like it. The rooms are apparently very noisy and not worth the money.

My traveling companion on this trip still talks about the breakfast and bathtubs at this hotel. Both are awesome.


Absolutely phenomenal.

I'd recommend using the virtual concierge and submitting a request that way. They will look at your room reservation in advance and maybe, just maybe, you'll get an upgrade.

When I was PP, I was upgraded to street-facing suites on two award stays (five and six days).

Regarding street noise, it depends on one's tolerance. The street is active late into the night. I had to close my windows to sleep but the bustle was not disruptive.

And yes, the breakfast is memorable.

Stayed here for a few nights as part of my honeymoon recently. I emailed the GM prior to arrival to let him know that we were on our honeymoon and any upgrade would be appreciated. We were upgraded to a decent room, nothing spectacular, but nice. The honeymoon thing was awesome though because every day we had some really nice gifts (food/wine/chocolates) delivered to our room.

You should also take note that the hotel may offer you an upgrade for $ on the spot if you ask. These are rooms with a preferably better view, of the strip. If I remember correctly it wasn't cheap, something like $125 more a night, in addition to the points. And if you do some research on here you'll see that the people who have used that option generally don't like it. The rooms are apparently very noisy and not worth the money.

How did you get the GMs email address?

When I was PP, I was upgraded to street-facing suites on two award stays (five and six days).

Regarding street noise, it depends on one's tolerance. The street is active late into the night. I had to close my windows to sleep but the bustle was not disruptive.

And yes, the breakfast is memorable.

Platinum Premier, 5 night award stay, 2 years ago in May, and I was also upgraded to the Junior Suite overlooking the Champs. One of my best award stays ever. Did nothing in regards requesting an upgrade. Showed up kind of early if I recall...straight from the airport so around noon if not earlier, maybe?

I never get my hopes up. It seems if I really want an upgrade, I won't get it...but when I don't really care I get one of the best rooms in the place.

Good Luck!

Never had luck with upgrades at CE and find some of the restaurant staff(outside) to be jerks. LOVE the Le Parc Trocadero but room upgrades are somewhat hard to come by

Follow up...

I emailed the hotel a few days before arrival and asked; 1. For very early check-in and 2. The chance of upgrade. They said they informed the front desk.

Arrived at the hotel at 8am from the airport to a WONDERFUL check-in experience and, yes my room was ready for me and yes, after a quick trip to the back room, an upgrade room was offered.

I am a very loyal Marriott customer and I have never been disappointed in the Marriott family.... (OK, once in the Caribbean.) This is my fourth day in Paris and I have watched the staff consistently offer professional and friendly service. The staff and management do it right here in Paris. From the wait staff to the doorman... and everyone in-betwen... wonderful property and wonderful people.

Happy in Paris at the CE

P.S. Excellent breakfast as well.

Follow up...

I emailed the hotel a few days before arrival and asked; 1. For very early check-in and 2. The chance of upgrade. They said they informed the front desk.

Arrived at the hotel at 8am from the airport to a WONDERFUL check-in experience and, yes my room was ready for me and yes, after a quick trip to the back room, an upgrade room was offered.

I am a very loyal Marriott customer and I have never been disappointed in the Marriott family.... (OK, once in the Caribbean.) This is my fourth day in Paris and I have watched the staff consistently offer professional and friendly service. The staff and management do it right here in Paris. From the wait staff to the doorman... and everyone in-betwen... wonderful property and wonderful people.

Happy in Paris at the CE

P.S. Excellent breakfast as well.

Great news! We just booked an award stay for end of April/Early May next year. Plain platinum, but hoping for a Champs view. First time to Paris.

Great news! We just booked an award stay for end of April/Early May next year. Plain platinum, but hoping for a Champs view. First time to Paris.

Did I mention that I hve a jpg of the fourth floor to PM you if you wish to see the layout?

Follow up...

I emailed the hotel a few days before arrival and asked; 1. For very early check-in and 2. The chance of upgrade. They said they informed the front desk.

Arrived at the hotel at 8am from the airport to a WONDERFUL check-in experience and, yes my room was ready for me and yes, after a quick trip to the back room, an upgrade room was offered.

I am a very loyal Marriott customer and I have never been disappointed in the Marriott family.... (OK, once in the Caribbean.) This is my fourth day in Paris and I have watched the staff consistently offer professional and friendly service. The staff and management do it right here in Paris. From the wait staff to the doorman... and everyone in-betwen... wonderful property and wonderful people.

Happy in Paris at the CE

P.S. Excellent breakfast as well.



it seems that reward stay have more opportunity to upgrade, right? I want air package and always pay for my room and seldom get upgrade t suite. also platinum.

perhaps that's because it's subject to availability by each hotel.......

Room Upgrade
For Platinum Elite members the best way is up! So every time you check in, we'll do our best to upgrade you to a premium room - at no additional charge – for your entire stay. Upgrades may include rooms with desirable views, rooms on high floors, corner rooms, rooms with special amenities, rooms on Executive Floors, or suites, subject to availability identified by each hotel. See terms and conditions for details.
https://www.marriott.com/rewards/member-benefits/platinum.mi



........... and always pay for my room and seldom get upgrade t suite. also platinum.

Follow up...

I emailed the hotel a few days before arrival and asked; 1. For very early check-in and 2. The chance of upgrade. They said they informed the front desk.

Arrived at the hotel at 8am from the airport to a WONDERFUL check-in experience and, yes my room was ready for me and yes, after a quick trip to the back room, an upgrade room was offered.

I am a very loyal Marriott customer and I have never been disappointed in the Marriott family.... (OK, once in the Caribbean.) This is my fourth day in Paris and I have watched the staff consistently offer professional and friendly service. The staff and management do it right here in Paris. From the wait staff to the doorman... and everyone in-betwen... wonderful property and wonderful people.

Happy in Paris at the CE

P.S. Excellent breakfast as well.
What email address did you email for the hotel?