Hilton HHonors - Better Upgrade: Discount $$$ or Points?

As a Diamond, in which case do you think one would get the better upgrade:

1) Paying a discounted room rate (e.g., AAA, AARP, Government)
2) "Paying" with HHonors points

As a Diamond, in which case do you think one would get the better upgrade:

1) Paying a discounted room rate (e.g., AAA, AARP, Government)
2) "Paying" with HHonors points


In my experience, it is more dependent upon "which property" more than anything else. Some of my alltime best upgrades have been while using points, some of my worst rooms were when I was paying top dollar. I would think that how full the hotel is at the time you check-in would be more important than what type of rate you pay, but that's just a guess.

I would think that how full the hotel is at the time you check-in would be more important than what type of rate you pay, but that's just a guess.

That is my expectation as well, but wanted to get other opinions.

On my own experience I have not seen a difference between a paid vs rewards stay when it comes to the upgrades as it should be IMHO.

Same here. I'm either travelling on the government rate or using points. Both have gotten me great upgrades (or sometimes none at all).

I think it varies by property. I've had AARP / AAA / etc. discounted stays (my norm) with very good service, upgrades, etc. as well as non-discounted rates (never "rack" rates! :p ) with no upgrades; points stays with great upgrades, points stays where I am sure I was given the bottom of the ROH.

One of the many great uses of FT is to see what I can expect at a given property (or not) to plan, and to gain any insight as to how best approach a property for the best upgrades, etc.