Guaranteed Upgrade for Ambassador
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: KNO, ID
Programs: KF Gold, QF Gold, MR Platinum, Accor Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 613
Guaranteed Upgrade for Ambassador
I've already booked club room in IC Makkah, KSA using AMB weekend night certificate. The next room category would be 1 BR Deluxe Suite City View.
However, it is the first time for me that all of next room categories are sold out. On other IC that I've ever stayed, I always upgraded to next category either during reservation or upon check-in. I've asked the hotel regarding to this issue and they didn't reply even it's already a week. So, I guess that they are also confuse what to do. Any of other FTers here had similar experience? I guess that the T&C is clear, guaranteed upgrade when staying in IC on paid nights. So, what will happen if no upgrade during my check-in time? Is there any consequence or what the hotel obliged to do with the Ambassadors that were not upgraded ?
Thanks !
However, it is the first time for me that all of next room categories are sold out. On other IC that I've ever stayed, I always upgraded to next category either during reservation or upon check-in. I've asked the hotel regarding to this issue and they didn't reply even it's already a week. So, I guess that they are also confuse what to do. Any of other FTers here had similar experience? I guess that the T&C is clear, guaranteed upgrade when staying in IC on paid nights. So, what will happen if no upgrade during my check-in time? Is there any consequence or what the hotel obliged to do with the Ambassadors that were not upgraded ?
Thanks !
#2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 75K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,369
I've had this happen to me before at the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville. I received the room I booked, and was told that they'd make a note in my file to give me a double upgrade next time. I haven't been back since then, though.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
I've already booked club room in IC Makkah, KSA using AMB weekend night certificate. The next room category would be 1 BR Deluxe Suite City View.
However, it is the first time for me that all of next room categories are sold out. On other IC that I've ever stayed, I always upgraded to next category either during reservation or upon check-in. I've asked the hotel regarding to this issue and they didn't reply even it's already a week. So, I guess that they are also confuse what to do. Any of other FTers here had similar experience? I guess that the T&C is clear, guaranteed upgrade when staying in IC on paid nights. So, what will happen if no upgrade during my check-in time? Is there any consequence or what the hotel obliged to do with the Ambassadors that were not upgraded ?
Thanks !
However, it is the first time for me that all of next room categories are sold out. On other IC that I've ever stayed, I always upgraded to next category either during reservation or upon check-in. I've asked the hotel regarding to this issue and they didn't reply even it's already a week. So, I guess that they are also confuse what to do. Any of other FTers here had similar experience? I guess that the T&C is clear, guaranteed upgrade when staying in IC on paid nights. So, what will happen if no upgrade during my check-in time? Is there any consequence or what the hotel obliged to do with the Ambassadors that were not upgraded ?
Thanks !
Guaranteed upgrade goes a bit out the window if you book a top suite. Hotels do not have to upgrade you to featutre suites like Presidential, Royal Suites even if non-sold, Then of course if a large number of Ambassador/RA book high end suite rooms, not all can be upgraded either.
If the IC can't (or won't) upgrade you to a deluxe-suite or feature suite at checkin, which non-upgrade may well be within Ambassador t+c's, all you can do, assuming hotel does not offer upfront (and some are fair autmatically do offer) a rate adjustment to the room type 1-level below booked, so in effect booked room becomes your 1-level upgrade.
Some hotels are not so fair, trying to offer you a discount on dining in house or something, always refuse, you don't want to be tied to a)eating in hotel b)spending 5x the room rate difference on food to break even
In KSA wealthy guests even book multiple top suites in hotel for stays, so again rooms are not available.
It could well be Presidential suite is unbooked, room type higher than you is book by an Ambassador/RA who gets upgraded, freeing up their booked room for your upgrade, an en-cascade upgrade, which frequently happens at lower entry lebel upto club-room bookings.
Last edited by scubaccr; Dec 16, 2014 at 8:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I've had this happen to me only once, at the IC in Kuala Lumpur. I had booked the room category below a suite, expecting an upgrade to a suite. But I was informed at check-in that all of the suites had been booked by some governmental agency.
I think the official policy when this happens is that we are to be charged for the room category below the one that we get so it becomes essentially a one-level upgrade. At least, that's what happened in my case.
I think the official policy when this happens is that we are to be charged for the room category below the one that we get so it becomes essentially a one-level upgrade. At least, that's what happened in my case.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 542
I'm in this boat for an upcoming stay, at the IC Miami. I booked the 2nd highest cat suite, just below their fancy version of a presidential suite. I was hoping for the upgrade, but understand it might not be available. Now, the hotel isn't selling any rooms for the nights I'm there, so I'm guessing the likelihood of my hoped-for upgrade is very small. My understanding from this thread, and another, is that what's supposed to happen is they should bump me down a price level to the next lower suite. The price difference when I booked was quite significant on a percentage basis (something like $450 for the cheaper suite, $650 for the one I picked), but of course I don't have a record of that. And now, no nights are showing up bc they're booked. I can test other nights, but that isn't really proof of what the rates were for my nights. I can see it coming that the top suite won't be available, and that they'll offer me $50 off instead of the $200 off I should be getting. Any advice in advance from the experts?
#7
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
worked out well for me though. No complaints