Hilton HHonors - Upgrades at Hilton San Fran & Double Tree SFO

As a Hilton Gold you get upgraded to a suit should it be available…this is my understanding.

Checked into the Hilton San Francisco and got upgraded from regular room to a junior suit. Very nice comfortable room.

The next day checked into the Double Tree at SFO airport, Used the Flyertalk code for this booking and so was very happy with the $129 rate. However, at check in I asked if there was any upgrades going and the person behind the desk said there were none available. I then asked how much it would be to pay for an upgrade and she said $300, and asked if I wanted to pay. I said no.

Now can someone explain how it is that there are no suits for upgrade but there are if you want to pay for it? (please bare in mind I was checking in for one night only and we checked in late around 11pm, so it was not like they would sell the room again that night).

Hi,

It is my understanding that an upgrade to a suite is not in the HHonors benefits for Golds ( and not even for Diamonds) unlike SPG Platinum which has Standard Suite upgrades as part of the T&C.
I do not expect a suite upgrade but am pleased when it happens.

Regards

TBS

I suggest that you have a closer look at the benefits for gold status. Suites are not a benefit. Check here (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/levels.jhtml) for the listed benefits.

For North American Hiltons:
Upgrade to Executive Floor (if available), OR Executive Floor Lounge access (if the hotel has a Lounge), OR complimentary continental breakfast for the member and one guest each day of the stay. If the rate already includes breakfast, a special food and beverage amenity will be presented.

For Doubletree:
Upgrade to Executive Floor (if available), OR Executive Floor Lounge access (if the hotel has a Lounge), OR complimentary continental breakfast for the member and one guest each day of the stay.

You only have to be given one of the benefits, not the first one listed. So, if you get breakfast for free they have given you what you were entitled to get regardless if a room was available.

"Understanding?" Sarge, please read the 2006 HHonors Terms and Conditions (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml) to become familiar with your entitlements, perks and what is not rightfully yours.

As a Diamond with perhaps 50 stays or more over the last 2-3 years at the Doubletree SFO (Burlingame) I am always upgraded to the Executive Floor (8th floor,) with business amenities (multipurpose printer, etc.) in the room - occasionally a corner room (larger, but no suite.) As well the hotel has generously given me two chits good for a full breakfast (buffet) in the restuarnat (there is no lounge,) and two bottles of water, a small box of chocolates and coupons for discounts at dinner. There is a free shuttle (not the property's) to downtown Burlingame if you wish to dine or shop downtown. Suite? Never. But they have taken care of me quite well.

If you want to be assured of suite, which is not a HHonors elite right, buy the room you want when you book. :)

As a Hilton Gold you get upgraded to a suit should it be available…this is my understanding.

Checked into the Hilton San Francisco and got upgraded from regular room to a junior suit. Very nice comfortable room.

The next day checked into the Double Tree at SFO airport, Used the Flyertalk code for this booking and so was very happy with the $129 rate. However, at check in I asked if there was any upgrades going and the person behind the desk said there were none available. I then asked how much it would be to pay for an upgrade and she said $300, and asked if I wanted to pay. I said no.

Now can someone explain how it is that there are no suits for upgrade but there are if you want to pay for it? (please bare in mind I was checking in for one night only and we checked in late around 11pm, so it was not like they would sell the room again that night).

"Understanding?" Sarge, please read the 2006 HHonors Terms and Conditions (http://hhonors.hilton.com/en/hhonors/terms.jhtml) to become familiar with your entitlements, perks and what is not rightfully yours.

As a Diamond with perhaps 50 stays or more over the last 2-3 years at the Doubletree SFO (Burlingame) I am always upgraded to the Executive Floor (8th floor,) with business amenities (multipurpose printer, etc.) in the room - occasionally a corner room (larger, but no suite.) As well the hotel has generously given me two chits good for a full breakfast (buffet) in the restuarnat (there is no lounge,) and two bottles of water, a small box of chocolates and coupons for discounts at dinner. There is a free shuttle (not the property's) to downtown Burlingame if you wish to dine or shop downtown. Suite? Never. But they have taken care of me quite well.

If you want to be assured of suite, which is not a HHonors elite right, buy the room you want when you book. :)


Fair point. Thanks for that. At least I know now. I must say though, the staff at the Double Tree are great. So friendly and they always make you feel very welcome. I did make a point last time of writing to the general manager to tell him how great they are. If only our British customer service was as good as yours!

The t & C has changed w.e.f 2006. suites are now excluded officially for any upgrades given to diamonds or Golds. And apparnetly in Munich and other European cities, they can deny you access to the lounge and Executive floor and get away with it by giving you a breakfast voucher.

I do however get p.o when the check-in staff deliberately assign me a room that is opposite to what i have on profile and then lie to me that no other rooms are available when there are. i.e rooms beside elevators and low floor

I've stayed at the DT SFO quite a few times and always like the service / upgrades that I've been given. I've even stayed there when having business downtown and used the hotel shuttle to get to BART to get into the city.

It's also not a bad location if you have business in both SF and SJ. You are pretty much in the middle and can get back and forth quite easily.

While it isn't a luxurious property, they do get an A in my book for their participation in the HHonors program.

The t & C has changed w.e.f 2006. suites are now excluded officially for any upgrades given to diamonds or Golds.

:confused: I don't recall (in the five or so years I've had HH status) that suite upgrades were ever a specifically published benefit.

Mike

"Doubletree SF airport : Checking into a very empty (Sunday/Monday night stays) hotel, I asked about an upgrade. The desk clerk said (I swear it seemed like "with an attitude") "Well, I did put you on the HH floor". The room had a view ,that is, if you like roof tops and garbage areas. Their air/heat is a window unit that never could quite get the right temperature. There is free WiFi in their lobby area (a nice library feel) that's conected to their bar.
The rooms were okay with a nice desk chair and had a printer,which didn't work. They charge for parking, but you can park for free a block down at the ES. I again received two very little bottles of water (got two cookies at checkin though). Bad room service.
Overall,I would not return to this hotel."

That's from a quick review I did in March.

The HH elite rules may not say 'upgrade,' to a suite or better room, but for cryin' out loud, I always get one 90-95% of the time. In fact, some properties go out of their way to make sure I get one even before I arrive by personal contact. SF Hilton on-line check in will actually give you a choice of a suite if available to upgrade to. So, phoeeey with what the rules say...the practice is what counts...and its probably done this way for a reason...????