Hilton HHonors - Diamond Online Check-in vs. Upgrade

Hello-

I am a Diamond member preparing (tomorrow) to check-in online for a stay at Hilton hotel in San Fran. How does my "early/online" check-in effect my chances for getting upgraded to, say, the executive floor?

You'll hear mixed results from folks -- check out this thread, it's the definitive OLCI thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536105

In my experience, unless you see a definite upgrade on the OLCI screen, it's not worth doing it (and even if you do, folks have reported not getting their upgrade). Good luck.

Had success with online check-in. I just used to check-in at an Embassy Suite. I usually only use it if it shows "Upgraded Room" available.

There was an unexpected payoff this time. My client needed to drop off some important papers to review and I was able to give him my room number as well. He wrote it on the envelope and upon arrival, I was handed my key & packet. It probably would have gotten to me; however, the client is very "techie" and was impressed.

Travel safe.... ^

Just wish you could see your room on a floor plan. I often hesitate to select a room if I do not know exactly where it is.

@:-) Someone should set up a stiky with room location for each hotel...

Hello-

I am a Diamond member preparing (tomorrow) to check-in online for a stay at Hilton hotel in San Fran. How does my "early/online" check-in effect my chances for getting upgraded to, say, the executive floor?
I would give it mixed results. I tried it again this weekend for a stay at the ES seatac and it gave me 4 choices, all of which said ":upgraded room" but I know that it is an 8 story hotel and the highest floor it showed was 5. I skipped it and when I arrived they had me in a corner sweet on the 8'th floor. I stay at the ES at SFO all of the time and sometimes it gives me the top floor (9) and sometimes it does not.

I have been "Upgraded" a few times using the Diamond online check-in..so why not use it..and when you get there still ask for the best possible room.. @:-)

I have been "Upgraded" a few times using the Diamond online check-in..so why not use it..and when you get there still ask for the best possible room.. @:-)

That's probably the best idea. Thanks.

Has anyone experimented with check-in and check-out times to see if OLCI choices change? I'm curious.

Has anyone experimented with check-in and check-out times to see if OLCI choices change? I'm curious.

Great suggestion, I'll try on Monday for Tuesday's check-in.

Has anyone experimented with check-in and check-out times to see if OLCI choices change? I'm curious.

I have tried it several times and received the same results regardless of what check-in/check-out times I selected. However, I noticed that OLCI options change throughout the day on the day that I am checking in - sometimes better, sometimes worse. But as soon as I see that my upgrade was confirmed, I grab it.

there are too many things going on that affect a person "confirming" or "securing" an upgrade PRIOR to actually checking in. In the first OLCI Thread (Can these be merged??) the majority of folks feel there are a lot of kinks that need to be worked out. Plus you have
- Changing other people's rooms assignments, that affect your room options (taking a room off line for various maintenence or housekeeping issues, etc; people extending stays
- A Diamond checks in prior to you

Each hotel and check in situation is different and you have to be flexible.

I have tried it several times and received the same results regardless of what check-in/check-out times I selected. However, I noticed that OLCI options change throughout the day on the day that I am checking in - sometimes better, sometimes worse. But as soon as I see that my upgrade was confirmed, I grab it.

Interesting... I am arriving tomorrow at the hotel, so I went online to check-in today and it showed me 4 choices: all, regular 1 King bed rooms, just on 4 different floors. There weren't any suites or executive rooms to pick from. I decided to call reservations and she told me that there are upgraded rooms available. I asked why it wasn't automatic to get them now and she said I will just have to ask when I arrive.

Do "upgraded" rooms show up as the day goes on, so I should hold off checking-in until I see one?

Thanks!

I just do things wrong I guess. I've tried olci and not doing it. I was gold for 2 years and been Diamond (5 stays since) for 2 months and I have NEVER and I do mean NEVER received an upgrade! I ask and they always say - sorry sir there are no upgrades available. I get breakfast and/or lounge access so it isn't a huge deal but you would think surely once it would happen? Staying at the Waldorf in London and the TPA airport Hilton next month so hopefully?

I just do things wrong I guess. I've tried olci and not doing it. I was gold for 2 years and been Diamond (5 stays since) for 2 months and I have NEVER and I do mean NEVER received an upgrade! I ask and they always say - sorry sir there are no upgrades available. I get breakfast and/or lounge access so it isn't a huge deal but you would think surely once it would happen? Staying at the Waldorf in London and the TPA airport Hilton next month so hopefully?

That's a shame. Of course, you may have been upgraded without knowing it. For instance, at the local Hampton Inn with outside corridors, an upgrade would be a room that doesn't face the interstate. :D

Maybe it's your timing. Maybe you're staying too long. Try moving around a little and staying just one night. My success rate is very high on 1 night stays, and it sux on the 5-nighters.

That's a shame. Of course, you may have been upgraded without knowing it. For instance, at the local Hampton Inn with outside corridors, an upgrade would be a room that doesn't face the interstate. :D

Maybe it's your timing. Maybe you're staying too long. Try moving around a little and staying just one night. My success rate is very high on 1 night stays, and it sux on the 5-nighters.
Good ideas. I'll try it and see how it goes

That's a shame. Of course, you may have been upgraded without knowing it. For instance, at the local Hampton Inn with outside corridors, an upgrade would be a room that doesn't face the interstate. :D

Maybe it's your timing. Maybe you're staying too long. Try moving around a little and staying just one night. My success rate is very high on 1 night stays, and it sux on the 5-nighters.
Besides, it makes requalifying (on stays) that much easier!

Interesting... I am arriving tomorrow at the hotel, so I went online to check-in today and it showed me 4 choices: all, regular 1 King bed rooms, just on 4 different floors. There weren't any suites or executive rooms to pick from. I decided to call reservations and she told me that there are upgraded rooms available. I asked why it wasn't automatic to get them now and she said I will just have to ask when I arrive.

Do "upgraded" rooms show up as the day goes on, so I should hold off checking-in until I see one?

Thanks!
Only once have I had an upgrade come through later in the day, and I think that it was because the hotel had pre-booked my room prior to arrival.

I am scheduled to check in to the HHV Alii Tower tomorrow on an amex plat fhr rate. The reservation shows up in My Travel Planner online but as of yet I can't view online check-in (just curious if upgrades will show up online). Anyone have any experience with both OLCI and FHR? Thanks.

BF

I almost never see an upgrade during OLCI, oftentimes to find out that there is an UG at the hotel. Unless it's a HI, I always check to at least see if I got an UG.

I am scheduled to check in to the HHV Alii Tower tomorrow on an amex plat fhr rate. The reservation shows up in My Travel Planner online but as of yet I can't view online check-in (just curious if upgrades will show up online). Anyone have any experience with both OLCI and FHR? Thanks.

BF

I tried to check-in online for my Ali'i tower FHR reservation, but didn't see an upgrade so cancelled out. When I got there to check-in, I was upgraded to an ocean view room, but they didn't seem to care that I was both Diamond and on the FHR rate.

I almost never see an upgrade during OLCI, oftentimes to find out that there is an UG at the hotel. Unless it's a HI, I always check to at least see if I got an UG.

So, if you don't see the upgrade online, you just don't do the check in and do the regular checkin when you arrive at the hotel?

So, if you don't see the upgrade online, you just don't do the check in and do the regular checkin when you arrive at the hotel?

That's what I do and more often than not, I get an upgrade. I think we all agree there are still bugs in the OLCI process.

So, if you don't see the upgrade online, you just don't do the check in and do the regular checkin when you arrive at the hotel?


I see "Upgraded room" just about every time at OLCI so it definetly happens.

Shortly after I posted the online check-in showed up for my FHR reservation. It said "Sorry no upgrade available" but then showed an assigment to a full ocean view room when I had only booked garden view. It was room 915. I know the hotel well and didn't want to be all the way at the far end of the hallway. I called the front desk at the Alii tower and told the person there that I had been assigned 915 but was there anything else available. She gave me a few other options and finally gave me a full oceanfront room on the 3rd floor overlooking the alii pool. I checked online again a few hours later and the room change to #301 was reflected so I did the online check-in. Overall I was pretty happy with this hybrid experience.

Shortly after I posted the online check-in showed up for my FHR reservation. It said "Sorry no upgrade available" but then showed an assigment to a full ocean view room when I had only booked garden view. It was room 915. I know the hotel well and didn't want to be all the way at the far end of the hallway. I called the front desk at the Alii tower and told the person there that I had been assigned 915 but was there anything else available. She gave me a few other options and finally gave me a full oceanfront room on the 3rd floor overlooking the alii pool. I checked online again a few hours later and the room change to #301 was reflected so I did the online check-in. Overall I was pretty happy with this hybrid experience.

It seems to be that it completely varies from hotel to hotel. My stay, checking in tonight, is the Hilton San Francisco Financial District and all it is showing me is:

"1 King Bed 10th Floor

1 King Bed 11th Floor

1 King Bed 12th Floor

1 King Bed 18th Floor"

No rooms selections and nothing about upgrades.


UPDATE: I just checked the website and it says that "because your upgrade was not available, we have selected the following room..." It is a regular room. It then said, "or you can selected from one of these comparable rooms" and all the these other choices were "queen accessible" instead of the "king bed" I requested. So I guess I should just check in, take the King Bed I am offered (it is on the 19th floor) and then ask again when I arrive, yes?

So I guess I should just check in, take the King Bed I am offered (it is on the 19th floor) and then ask again when I arrive, yes?

Please read the first paragraph of post No. 11. I warned you and tried to spare you aggravation.

Overall I am not a fan of the online checkin or the kiosk. I only like online checkin for the airlines when I do not have any bags. I do like the kiosk since I can see all the seats. IF the hotel kiosk would show me all the rooms and their locations I would like it.

FHR rate seems to trump Honors status. Ocean view from garden view rate for me. Thats a double upgrade, but I think I got lucky.

I'm back at the Hilton Niagara Falls. My online checkin said that they were unable to give me what I requested and then gave me some alternatives. The highest suite was on the 29th floor. I checked into that room,although it was smoking. When checking in I requested a non-smoking room. They put me on the 32nd floor non-smoking.
For me, I like to check-in online,if I'm getting an upgrade and then ask for something better when I arrive.
I tried to check into the Toronto Hilton for tommorow, but the website won't let me.

So, if you don't see the upgrade online, you just don't do the check in and do the regular checkin when you arrive at the hotel?

Yep. Even at the ES kiosks, I still use that to checkin and get the points. Most of the time, the staff checks me in, and I cannot complete the process at the kiosk, but I get the 500 HH points anyway.