Club Carlson - Question about eStandby vs Gold upgrade

Hello, I am new to Carlson hotel. I have my Gold elite status matched from Marriott Gold. Here is the situation I have met. When I booked a Radison hotel and I noticed that there is eStandby option for upgrading to business class for $15 per night. I know as a Gold elite, one benefit is complimentary upgrade. My question is, which one has higher priority (having better chance for upgrading), eStandby or Gold elite? Thank you.

There are numerous post on the CC forum regarding the upgrade success from other members. It seems to be a hit or miss thing. If you really want the bigger room or extra amenities, odds are that you are more likely to get it if you pay for it as opposed to getting it complimentary.

One thing I always do when I check in is to show my membership card and say, "Hi (attendant name), I have a reservation today, I believe that as a (whatever tier level) member I may have an upgrade." Sometimes this is followed by a quick glance and I get an upgrade, or some sort of extra amenity.

Sometimes asking is the only way to get it.

One of the Gold benefits is listed as: "Complimentary room upgrades as available"

Surely if they are available to sell, then they are available to elites?

my experience: ask every time at front desk for a complimentary room-upgrade for gold elite (concierge) member of clubcarlson, as nearly all staff no have an exakt idea of the cc perks...




(ask for it - and you will get it :D @:-) )

One of the Gold benefits is listed as: "Complimentary room upgrades as available"

Surely if they are available to sell, then they are available to elites?

You would think so, wouldn't you? But the hotel gets to define what an "upgrade" is. In at least one hotel we've stayed at several times, the "gold upgrade" was simply a "better" room (on a higher floor, same exact room as standard.) If we had been willing to pay for the "eStandby" upgrade, we would have gotten that room plus breakfast and a drink voucher.

may include rooms with a higher or lower floor, rooms with preferred view, or recently renovated rooms
I guess that any hotel with more than 1 floor can tell you they upgraded you to either a higher or a lower floor!

I just booked at a Country inn, and they gave me complimentary eStandby upgrade to king suite.

I forgot to follow my own thread. What a shame! :D
I booked Radisson Resort Orlando using gold points. So I don't have choice other than the standard room. I also choose estandy upgrade to business class which has the room on higher floor and free breakfast.
Does the property upgrade gold to business class?
If the chance of estandy upgrade is the same as gold complimentary upgrade, then I won't bother to pay extra $20 per night.

E-Upgrade trumps status upgrade.

If you get granted an E-Upgrade you gotta pay for it, even if it should have been complimentary. That's how the system works (they have little control over when the NOR1 system puts the upgrade costs on the bill).

You might be lucky arguing that actually you should get a free upgrade as per status, but no guarantees that they will remove the E-Upgrade costs, once it is in the system and approved.

You would think so, wouldn't you? But the hotel gets to define what an "upgrade" is. In at least one hotel we've stayed at several times, the "gold upgrade" was simply a "better" room (on a higher floor, same exact room as standard.) If we had been willing to pay for the "eStandby" upgrade, we would have gotten that room plus breakfast and a drink voucher.

That sounds like the Park Plaza Soi 18 Bangkok.

We just made a reservation for the Radisson in Bangkok and, as a gold, I was offered the standby upgrade for '0 THB' pending availability. It seemed folly not to accept it but that was an option. :confused::eek::D

If you get granted an E-Upgrade you gotta pay for it, even if it should have been complimentary. That's how the system works (they have little control over when the NOR1 system puts the upgrade costs on the bill).
If you don't sign up for an eStandby upgrade to a business class room, can you pay for it when checking in if they don't give it to you as your complimentary Gold upgrade?

Some hotels consider a gold upgrade to be to a higher floor within the same category. Worth checking the relevant thread to see if others have any recent experiences.

I always put "Gold elite upgrade if available please" in my reservation comments. I almost always get somewhat of an upgrade without having to ask at the front desk.

I always put "Gold elite upgrade if available please" in my reservation comments. I almost always get somewhat of an upgrade without having to ask at the front desk.
Do you sometimes get a business class room, which is what the eStandby is offering but for a price?

My gold status just expired. My experience has been:

1. Chicago - only upgraded once (week-end) to a business class room despite asking each time and noting in reservation; first few stays got nothing special; most recent stays a slightly bigger corner room with extra water and some nice snacks and a welcome note waiting for me. This Blu is tied as my favourite Blu with La Dehesa in Santiago.

2. Europe - nothing special at all although I did get a triple room once which was an upgrade vs. a cot. Breakfast included each time but I think that was for everyone.

3. South America - treated like a king, GM went out of his way to meet me, complimentary wine, drinks, upgrade to suites and even a late night dessert delivered to my room once. My room was upgraded every stay, once to Royal Suite (really nothing special beyond convenient access to the heliport!).

Now as only a silver I am hoping the GMs will remember me!