I note that in some posts people note that there were still suites available at properties despite not being offered an upgrade. I have two questions.
1. How do you determine if the property still has suite availability?
2. For those that have determined this, what type of success have you had confronting front desks with this information?
THANK YOU!!!
I always check the availability on the booking website and print out the details of the availability of the standard suite and have a discussion with the FD.
I note that in some posts people note that there were still suites available at properties despite not being offered an upgrade. I have two questions.
1. How do you determine if the property still has suite availability?
2. For those that have determined this, what type of success have you had confronting front desks with this information?
THANK YOU!!!
If you're referring to Platinum upgrades, checking online is tricky because it's sometimes hard to know which suite is designated as a select standard suite eligible for upgrading.
If I feel there is a legitimate mistake, I tend to discuss this with a *wood employee, either a PC or a property manager.
Otherwise, you run the risk of embarassing yourself.
The best practice IMO is not to worry too much about suite upgrades. if there is one available you will get it. I strongly believe there is no reason for a property to lie about suite upgrades. if suite is important then book it.
Totally agree. Was at the Seattle Sheraton for quite a long time over the last 2 months. Never upgraded. There were suites available as shown on the website and at the front desk. I just figured that property is no longer getting my business (neither pleasure nor business) so why sweat it? I'm with others - you want a suite, use points or pay for it. And I do think you mean Platinum; Diamond is Hyatt.
Programs: SPG Plat, BA Executive Gold, Skywards Silver
Posts: 1,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by KSA_USA
The best practice IMO is not to worry too much about suite upgrades. if there is one available you will get it. I strongly believe there is no reason for a property to lie about suite upgrades. if suite is important then book it.
I have to disagree with you here, I stayed at a handful hotels where I was denied a suite upgrade even though they were available. I got some really lame excuses.
Unfortunately, hotels DO lie about suite upgrades. I was lied to several times (several different lies) on day 1 of my return to a hotel. I was shocked at the rudeness and different stories I was getting. But I figure they have their reasons. STILL- as a Plat member we ARE told we get upgrades at check-in IF available. When I was told they had nothing, I checked online AND had called SPG. I was blatantly lied to.
Day 2 I asked again. I was given an attitude right away but at least the man LOOKED for me. He was ADAMANT that I wouldn't get the same type of suite I'd had in the past. Yes, they had some open, but he was po'd that I'd even asked.
In the end, I spent days 1 &2 and some of 3 in my original room. 3pm rolls around and the small suite was ready. So for 2 nights, I get a suite. Not the ones I've been in before, but a suite with a separate living room and bedroom. Having been here several times, I'd never known these smaller suites existed. But I'm happy now.
I think the hotels who have SUCH a hard time sharing their suites with Plats (who are supposed to get them at check-in IF available) should just come out and say so. Put it on the website. That way, people won't get their hopes up. If a hotel is full, I completely understand not getting a suite upgrade. If all their suites are taken, of COURSE I understand! Just don't lie to me.
Getting suite upgrades is the #1 reason I stay Plat with Starwood. It's IMO, the best perk. But I am keeping track of the hotels who DO upgrade well as opposed to the ones who give me such a hard time. And with the stories I've heard from other guests, I can pretty much tell when a property is not upgrade friendly to Plats.
I'm sorry, but just as it happens that there are amazing hotels with great UG rates, there are those who just don't care. That makes me sad, but in the future I just don't return. And to those who say if you want a suite, book one- I can't afford THAT. I wouldn't even know what the suites entailed if not for the Plat UG. So I hope for the best, deal with the worst, and never EXPECT more than I have booked. I can hope, and I can be angry when it is proven I was lied to, but I will not stress over it.
In my experience, Starwood has the best UG system. There are many hotels who go out of their way to make us feel at home and thank us for being Plat members. Those are the hotels I hope to frequent.
Programs: hh diamond,Qantas club life,AA EX-explat.SPG plat.
Posts: 1,143
I have actually done better this year with my only failure the Sheraton Miyako Tokyo but you just dont expect one here.
My first stay this year was at the Four Points Sydney.At checkin was told no suites were available at all but my assigned harbour view room was not ready yet-now it was 1445 and I had intended just to drop our stuff and go for a family event-well they found a room available immediately-a suite.Hmmm.Really isn't important to me in Sydney as always spending the time with family so I did not embarrass the check in agent
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if its a fact i am interested to learn why would a property lie about suite availability. i haven't yet come a cross a strong logical reason on why a hotel would lie about suite availability. to me reasons such as hotel don't like to upgrade or it would cost the hotel $10 more to clean a suite are very weak reasons and illogical.
if its an opinion you are certainly entitled to your opinion/believe
Quote:
Originally Posted by LovetoTravel83
I have to disagree with you here, I stayed at a handful hotels where I was denied a suite upgrade even though they were available. I got some really lame excuses.
could you share some of the excuses you were given?
