Hilton HHonors - Best Strategy for an Upgrade - Silver and Gold

Wise FT community,

Although I'm somewhat new to this whole scene, I have been obssessively lurking and reading FT posts. One question that I have in regards to Hiltons (maybe it's the same for all hotels) is exactly how to go about securing an upgrade. Assuming I've booked a room from their website that I'd be happy with if I didn't get the upgrade, what is the best move to try for an upgrade? Just ask the front desk? E-mail beforehand? And would the procedure be different if I were a mesely Silver vs. Gold? Obviously I know the chances of success would be different, but I just mean how to go about it (is it even possible for a Silver to score an upgrade?)

I swear that I've done hours of searching on this topic and read probably every post written on it. There are tons of posts about upgrades, but in my experience not many on the actual mechanics. If I've missed something, my apologies. But I know the FT community gets mad when somebody doesn't do their research before asking a question and I just wanted you all to be sure I've done what I can.

Hopefully this question is not out of line or in the wrong place, etc. I would greatly appreciate any responses.

Thank you!

One question that I have in regards to Hiltons (maybe it's the same for all hotels) is exactly how to go about securing an upgrade.

Upgrades are generally not guaranteed (as on airline flights, for example); they are largely dependent upon availability upon check-in and the willingness of the hotel to upgrade you (which can depend on the hotel's own internal policies and/or the knowledge, willingness, etc. of the check-in desk clerk). Your status, which should be in your reservation record, should trigger the check-in clerk to give you an upgrade, but this isn't always the case--I always specifically request it, too, and show the clerk my card.

In my experience I've found that most Hiltons do a pretty good job of upgrading their guests, but the extent of the upgrade (i.e. from standard room to "preferred" room, standard level to exceutive level, etc.) can vary signficantly. Upgardes can sometimes be hit or miss, hence the grumblings often posted in this forum about a hotel here of there that did not meet expectations.

Silver members are not eligible for upgrades (though some hotels have an HHonors floor that's often a little better than the standard floors and Silvers can get a room here). Per the HHonors rules, only Golds and Diamonds get upgrades.

I've done the following as both a Gold and currently as a diamond to secure an upgrade:

1) request an upgraded room by writing it in the comments field when making the reservation (online most of the time)

2) Call the front desk either the day before or the day of checkin to check on the availability of upgrades

3) Request an upgrade at the front desk at check in

At most of the properties I've stayed at the upgrade has been automatic...I didn't really need to follow any of the steps above...examples of some auto upgrade properties: The Drake Chicago, HGI Ithaca NY, Hilton Del Mar CA, Hilton Sandestin FL, DT Del Mar CA, HHV.

Other properties I was sure glad I followed the above 3 steps since I would never have gotten a better room unless I had personally asked for it: example HS Chicago, ES Frisco TX.

You can't go wrong using my 3 steps...if you're a Gold or Diamond. Out of luck if you're Silver... :(

To answer the op's question,

to a certain extent, it depends if the hotel pre-allocates rooms before check-in or assign rooms on check-in. If the assignment of rooms is done before check-in or the night before, you would have to ensure that maybe a call to the property to see if they have yr updated status and so on would be in order. If the property is experiencing high occupancy, they may/usually refuse to re-allocate rooms even for diamonds/golds.

But that being said, if you are after an upgrade to a suite, officially its nil. The revised t & C states upgrades for diamond and gold members but exclude suites. So, golds and diamonds get lounge access.

So, i guess the question to the op would be, ru after a bigger room or lounge access? if its a bigger room, chances are zero, lounge access maybe.

I had decent success in getting upgraded when I was Silver..... about 20% of the time and each time it was upon request at check-in. Upgrades have been far better and consistent since I have become Gold.

I had decent success in getting upgraded when I was Silver..... about 20% of the time and each time it was upon request at check-in.

Interesting. And when you request at check-in, for either Silver or Gold, do you just talk to whoever is at the desk, or is it ever smart to ask to talk to the manager (i'm clearly not experienced... is the person in charge of this sort of thing at any given time called the manager or is there some other title)?

For example, I'm taking the Bar Exam near Los Angeles in July and will probably stay at a Hilton. I'm only a Silver, but do you think it would be worth my while to e-mail the Hilton and say: "Hey, I'm taking the bar. Obviously I'm happy with the basic room, but just in case it turns out that you have an extra upgrade and nobody else to give it to for whatever reason, I would love to have it and obviously it would super appreciated. Just wanted to put my name out there just in case."

Or is that a waste of their time and my time. Thanks again learned FT community.

I always ask for an upgrade from the person who is checking me in. Sometimes they will go and check with a manager but I personally never ask for the manager. It can't hurt to ask.

For your bar exam I'd recommend that you request a room away from an elevator, not facing a pool and far away from foot traffic so you can get a good nights sleep.

Good luck and go Bruins!

I got decent upgrades as a Silver and lots of time at decent Hiltons I was upgraded to a suite or Exec Level (Orange County, San Antonio, Houston). Now that I'm gold I pretty much expect exec level at the minimum and haven't been disappointed.

It never hurts to ask ahead of time...they usually say "that's determined when you check in and availability"...so check in early :)

Wirelessly posted (My IV to the Net: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry7250/4.0.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

I think that how you ask is almost as important that you actually ask (confirm) that you are being upgraded / have been upgraded.

It helps to smile sweetly, give eye contact, expect nothing, have a calm voice (especially over the phone), and initiate caring conversation....
;) oh yes how we should be living anyway...