Do You Ask About Suite Upgrades?
Oct 30, 2014, 5:41 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
On 80% of my SPG stays this year I had to really push for the suite upgrade. In the past I've had much better success automatically.
Oct 30, 2014, 8:31 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: M&M FQT, BA G, Bonvoy LTT, WoH GLOB
Posts: 960
Do You Ask About Suite Upgrades?
Little anecdote, I was given HH Diamond this year by virtue of being BA GGL. Upon my first Hilton stay this week upgraded to a stunming beachfront suite (Mauritius) without asking.
Oct 30, 2014, 11:15 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
I have always had suite uogrades at the Hilton MRU however across the chain as a whole this is very uncommon in my 12 years as a Diamond.
Oct 30, 2014, 1:07 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX²-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
No, I don't ask. Upgrades this year 100 % so far.
Oct 30, 2014, 2:27 pm
#21
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
Oct 31, 2014, 12:36 pm
#22
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: 100,413
I'm unusual, though not alone: I really don't like suites. (If you want to understand my psychology, PM me. 
)
I recently got assigned to real monster - it must have been 1500 square feet. I decided to leave that one for someone else who would enjoy/appreciate. I'm much happier in 269sf.
) I recently got assigned to real monster - it must have been 1500 square feet. I decided to leave that one for someone else who would enjoy/appreciate. I'm much happier in 269sf.
Oct 31, 2014, 11:38 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
I ask if my stay is longer than a night or two. It almost never matters - even if suites show as available on the website for booking I'm told that's a mistake. However, certain times I've made a big stink about it and viola, a suite mysteriously became available (Sheraton HK & Towers for example). I only push when I really want a suite or when I feel I'm not being treated properly. I find it ridiculous when I see suites are available (yes, the low end ones avail for upgrade) and yet I'm not given it.
Nov 1, 2014, 5:53 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
I ask if my stay is longer than a night or two. It almost never matters - even if suites show as available on the website for booking I'm told that's a mistake. However, certain times I've made a big stink about it and viola, a suite mysteriously became available (Sheraton HK & Towers for example). I only push when I really want a suite or when I feel I'm not being treated properly. I find it ridiculous when I see suites are available (yes, the low end ones avail for upgrade) and yet I'm not given it.
Same for Sheraton Taipei, very cold services and never an upgrade.
I guess between them they are so overwhelmed by Chinese tour groups that they can care less about individual guests.
Nov 1, 2014, 9:40 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
Quick question - does anyone know if there is a difference between the suites available for SNA upgrades and the suites available for Platinum comp upgrades? I was under the impression they were the same - but another friendly poster thinks otherwise. Just wondering (as I currently use the SNA available possibilities to identify whether suites are avail when I show up).
Nov 2, 2014, 1:15 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: M&M FQT, BA G, Bonvoy LTT, WoH GLOB
Posts: 960
Do You Ask About Suite Upgrades?
I think they're supposed to be the same. However, for SNAs it seems to be an automated process whereas for hotel upgrades discretionary upgrades to other (better) suites may happen via the people working the reservations or front desk at the hotel.
Nov 2, 2014, 1:31 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
Quick question - does anyone know if there is a difference between the suites available for SNA upgrades and the suites available for Platinum comp upgrades? I was under the impression they were the same - but another friendly poster thinks otherwise. Just wondering (as I currently use the SNA available possibilities to identify whether suites are avail when I show up).
I don't know about the part that hotel upgrades are "discretionary" and may even land you a bigger suite. Just seems to me like SNA is you, with SPG got your back, of demanding the hotel to honor your upgrade benefit with confirmation, vs. without SNA you're really just counting on the hotel to play nice and actually honor the rules of benefits for Plat imposed by SPG.
Nov 2, 2014, 8:50 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,748
[Deleted]
Last edited by travelswithmyself; Nov 2, 2014 at 10:15 pm Reason: Same as above post
Nov 2, 2014, 11:05 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Frisco (Dallas area), TX
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K (MM), AA Lifetime Platinum (MM), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 268
It really is surprising that with an SPG policy as clear as " best available room at check in including Standard Suites" that relatively few properties offer up the "family jewels" without a gentle push (excepting of course, properties with whom you stay frequently and develop a relationship). In a perfect world, you have earned the upgrade through years of loyalty and should not have to play cat and mouse. That being said, unlike with the airlines who strictly prioritize upgrades, all to often: "Don't ask...don't get" applies. SPG should do a better job of insisting on compliance by its properties.
Nov 3, 2014, 8:11 am
#30
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: 100,413
Quick question - does anyone know if there is a difference between the suites available for SNA upgrades and the suites available for Platinum comp upgrades? I was under the impression they were the same - but another friendly poster thinks otherwise. Just wondering (as I currently use the SNA available possibilities to identify whether suites are avail when I show up).