May 6, 2014, 7:08 am
Last edit by: beltway
Please use this thread to post failures or difficulties in securing Platinum upgrades, based on the published benefits of the Platinum level, which are :
"Upgrades to best available room at check-in, including Standard Suites"
qualified by
"Subject to availability at check-in for the entire length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a pre-paid third-party channel.
Specialty Suites such as, but not limited to, premium view, Presidential, Honeymoon, and multiple bedroom suites are excluded. This benefit does not apply to all-suite hotels. Best rooms are identified by each property and may not include upgraded Towers level accommodations unless Towers level accommodations were booked originally.
The upgrade benefit is available for one room for the personal use of the Member only, regardless of the number of additional rooms purchased by the Member. This benefit is not offered at Aloft and Element properties"
For a detailed discussion of the Platinum upgrade benefit, see the wiki at I'm Platinum. Why didn't I get a complimentary suite upgrade? [Master thread].
Starwood do not publish which of the various categories of Suites at each hotel are 'Standard', and which are not, so we don't know which Suites are in the 'Upgrade Pool', and which are excluded. So, if a Suite is available under the terms and qualifications of the benefit, but an upgrade is denied, and it is not absolutely clear that the Suite in question is not a "Standard Suite", then we should report that as a failure.
If you only manage to secure a rightful upgrade after challenging the front desk on check-in, or have instances where SNAs (Suite Night Upgrade) were not honoured, then you may report this too.
You may also report instances where suites are showing as available online, but not actually available at the hotel, due to (apparent) differences in real-time availability online.
Please post in standard format :
Property :
Dates(s) :
Room booked :
Room received : (if different than above):
Award stay :: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay : (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested : (yes/no)
Comments :
...and include in the comments, particularly, the 'non-Standard' Suite category that you failed to secure an upgrade to.
"Upgrades to best available room at check-in, including Standard Suites"
qualified by
"Subject to availability at check-in for the entire length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a pre-paid third-party channel.
Specialty Suites such as, but not limited to, premium view, Presidential, Honeymoon, and multiple bedroom suites are excluded. This benefit does not apply to all-suite hotels. Best rooms are identified by each property and may not include upgraded Towers level accommodations unless Towers level accommodations were booked originally.
The upgrade benefit is available for one room for the personal use of the Member only, regardless of the number of additional rooms purchased by the Member. This benefit is not offered at Aloft and Element properties"
For a detailed discussion of the Platinum upgrade benefit, see the wiki at I'm Platinum. Why didn't I get a complimentary suite upgrade? [Master thread].
Starwood do not publish which of the various categories of Suites at each hotel are 'Standard', and which are not, so we don't know which Suites are in the 'Upgrade Pool', and which are excluded. So, if a Suite is available under the terms and qualifications of the benefit, but an upgrade is denied, and it is not absolutely clear that the Suite in question is not a "Standard Suite", then we should report that as a failure.
If you only manage to secure a rightful upgrade after challenging the front desk on check-in, or have instances where SNAs (Suite Night Upgrade) were not honoured, then you may report this too.
You may also report instances where suites are showing as available online, but not actually available at the hotel, due to (apparent) differences in real-time availability online.
Please post in standard format :
Property :
Dates(s) :
Room booked :
Room received : (if different than above):
Award stay :: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay : (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested : (yes/no)
Comments :
...and include in the comments, particularly, the 'non-Standard' Suite category that you failed to secure an upgrade to.
Post Your Platinum Upgrade Failures [2013 - onward]
Jan 2, 2013, 11:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Post Your Platinum Upgrade Failures [2013 - onward]
Post what you feel is a failure based on the T+C (which upgrades Plats to the best available room, including standard suites, at check-in). Failures may include instances where the front desk is challenged on upgrade availability. Failures may also include instances where SNAs requests were not honoured. To post your failure, please use the format below:
Property:
Dates(s):
Room booked:
Room received (if different than above):
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay: (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested: (yes/no)
Comments:
I am exploring a way to keep track of upgrade failures on this OP. Stay tuned.
Dates(s):
Room booked:
Room received (if different than above):
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay: (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested: (yes/no)
Comments:
Last edited by uxb; Jan 15, 2013 at 5:48 am
Jan 9, 2013, 5:55 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,655
Property: four points by sheraton washington dc....
Dates(s): 8th-11th january....
Room booked: traditional king bed....
Room received (if different than above): deluxe king bed....
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.) no....
BRG stay: (yes/no) no....
Comments: have stayed here 4 times....never been 'upgraded' to anything but a deluxe room....
Dates(s): 8th-11th january....
Room booked: traditional king bed....
Room received (if different than above): deluxe king bed....
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.) no....
BRG stay: (yes/no) no....
Comments: have stayed here 4 times....never been 'upgraded' to anything but a deluxe room....
Jan 12, 2013, 9:02 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,655
delete....
Last edited by Keyser; Jan 14, 2013 at 9:50 am
Jan 14, 2013, 9:37 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,655
Property: four points by sheraton washington dc....
Dates(s): 13th-16th january....
Room booked: traditional king bed....
Room received (if different than above): deluxe king bed....
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.) no....
BRG stay: (yes/no) no....
Comments: this is now my 5th stay here & its been a deluxe room on the 5th floor every time....
Dates(s): 13th-16th january....
Room booked: traditional king bed....
Room received (if different than above): deluxe king bed....
Award stay: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.) no....
BRG stay: (yes/no) no....
Comments: this is now my 5th stay here & its been a deluxe room on the 5th floor every time....
Jan 14, 2013, 9:40 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Keyser - why are you posting these as 'failures', when it looks like you were upgraded every single time? Not to a suite granted, but still upgrades, which is the published benefit after all.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Jan 14, 2013, 9:45 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Agreed. Although we've all been FT members long enough to know some people (not Keyser) think if they are not upgraded to a suite, it's an upgrade failure.
Jan 14, 2013, 9:56 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,655
the room sizes are the same for both the traditional & deluxe rooms, there is no minibar in either, no robe or slippers, no lounge, internet & breakfast would be offered irrespective of the upgrade, etc....
for non elite members it would make sense to book the deluxe rooms as if would give them benefits like breakfast, but for a plat member there is no difference between a traditional or deluxe room here....hence i see this as a failure....
nothing against the property though....i've stayed here a number of times & will continue to stay here....the room sizes are decent, property is clean, food is good, internet is fast & most importantly for me it is right next to my client's office....
Jan 14, 2013, 10:19 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
normally i would not post these as failures but these 'upgrades to deluxe' rooms at properties like this don't mean anything....there are many properties where a club or deluxe room is considered a great upgrade & i would never see them as failures....
the room sizes are the same for both the traditional & deluxe rooms, there is no minibar in either, no robe or slippers, no lounge, internet & breakfast would be offered irrespective of the upgrade, etc....
for non elite members it would make sense to book the deluxe rooms as if would give them benefits like breakfast, but for a plat member there is no difference between a traditional or deluxe room here....hence i see this as a failure....
nothing against the property though....i've stayed here a number of times & will continue to stay here....the room sizes are decent, property is clean, food is good, internet is fast & most importantly for me it is right next to my client's office....
the room sizes are the same for both the traditional & deluxe rooms, there is no minibar in either, no robe or slippers, no lounge, internet & breakfast would be offered irrespective of the upgrade, etc....
for non elite members it would make sense to book the deluxe rooms as if would give them benefits like breakfast, but for a plat member there is no difference between a traditional or deluxe room here....hence i see this as a failure....
nothing against the property though....i've stayed here a number of times & will continue to stay here....the room sizes are decent, property is clean, food is good, internet is fast & most importantly for me it is right next to my client's office....
Are we using this thread to post what a person feels is not an upgrade or are we listing properties that don't upgrade per the SPG T&C?
Jan 14, 2013, 10:25 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,655
Jan 14, 2013, 10:27 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Jan 14, 2013, 3:49 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
normally i would not post these as failures but these 'upgrades to deluxe' rooms at properties like this don't mean anything....there are many properties where a club or deluxe room is considered a great upgrade & i would never see them as failures....
the room sizes are the same for both the traditional & deluxe rooms, there is no minibar in either, no robe or slippers, no lounge, internet & breakfast would be offered irrespective of the upgrade, etc....
for non elite members it would make sense to book the deluxe rooms as if would give them benefits like breakfast, but for a plat member there is no difference between a traditional or deluxe room here....hence i see this as a failure....
nothing against the property though....i've stayed here a number of times & will continue to stay here....the room sizes are decent, property is clean, food is good, internet is fast & most importantly for me it is right next to my client's office....
the room sizes are the same for both the traditional & deluxe rooms, there is no minibar in either, no robe or slippers, no lounge, internet & breakfast would be offered irrespective of the upgrade, etc....
for non elite members it would make sense to book the deluxe rooms as if would give them benefits like breakfast, but for a plat member there is no difference between a traditional or deluxe room here....hence i see this as a failure....
nothing against the property though....i've stayed here a number of times & will continue to stay here....the room sizes are decent, property is clean, food is good, internet is fast & most importantly for me it is right next to my client's office....
Also, in the USA, robes are standard in club level rooms except at aloft and Four Points, but slippers are common only in upper end properties (StR, some LC) and suites, although in some places you can request them from housekeeping just as an elite can request a robe in an ordinary room. YMMV.
Jan 14, 2013, 4:00 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
This is standard for a Four Points. Moreover, suite upgrades aren't a SPG program benefit at some brands, including Four Points, aloft, Sheraton Suites, and Element.
Also, in the USA, robes are standard in club level rooms except at aloft and Four Points, but slippers are common only in upper end properties (StR, some LC) and suites, although in some places you can request them from housekeeping just as an elite can request a robe in an ordinary room. YMMV.
Also, in the USA, robes are standard in club level rooms except at aloft and Four Points, but slippers are common only in upper end properties (StR, some LC) and suites, although in some places you can request them from housekeeping just as an elite can request a robe in an ordinary room. YMMV.
Jan 14, 2013, 5:44 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
I'm talking about Starwood brands where Plats don't have the published benefit of being upgraded into a standard suite. Obviously if any property is all suite or has no suites at all, Plats won't be upgraded into suites.
Jan 14, 2013, 5:50 pm
#14
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Jan 14, 2013, 6:20 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
Officially...just Aloft and Element brands are exempt; however, to your point, there may be some Four Points out there that don't have suites, so that would be a defacto exemption.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
I had thought that the lower end SPG brands were exempt (or the brands that are the entry level versions of W, Westin, and Sheraton) plus all suite hotels.