Starwood Preferred Guest - Upgrades - subject to availability, what does that mean?

Hi sorry for another question.

As a gold I understand I get an upgrade subject to availability. But what does that mean?

Does it mean that if there is an upgraded room unsold when I check in they will give it to me, or do they allocate only a fixed amount for upgrades?

Thanks!

Does it mean that if there is an upgraded room unsold when I check in they will give it to me, or do they allocate only a fixed amount for upgrades?

It means "generally" the former.
Best, Dave

So you could call reservations in advance to check if they have the higher category room available?

So you could call reservations in advance to check if they have the higher category room available?

Yes, but there are two problems with this theory.

1) the higher category room may disappear before you check in.

2) to be a Preferred Room upgrade, you do not have to be put into a higher category room to fulfill the Terms and Conditions for Gold members. You could be placed into the same category room as you booked originally, only "on higher floors, corner rooms, newly renovated rooms, or rooms with preferred views."

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

Thanks for the clarification William!

Jimbob247, do you have a particular property in mind that you are planning to stay at? If you let us know which property it is, some FTers may be able to give you direct insight to what their upgrade experiences have been.

So far I am thinking SFO St Regis (booked deluxe) and W Hotel Westwood (booked fab suite), more to follow though...

Would love to hear peoples experiences at these.

Take a look here:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606824&highlight=St.+Regis+San+Francisco+upgrade