As a Hilton Diamond, I could book a room at the lowest rate available, or book an award room, and they would usually upgrade me to the best room they had available. I might have to ask, but I'd usually get it.

Is the policy for Marriott the same? I'm currently plat, and will probably be again next year. I'm looking at properties for awards in Europe.

The threads on this topic seem to indicate that the policy is not always applied consistently. Is this an accurate assessment?

Just hate to show up at a nice hotel and be given a room in the basement or something, and then have them try to nick you for more money for an upgrade that you should get automatically.

Making my plans early; want to know what I'll probably run into.