<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Empress:
I've noticed this selling upgrades thing too. I was told that Gold only gets upgrade to a better room within the same category that we booked. So whatever they sell us is usually more than one category.
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That is exactly corrrect according to Gold Member T&C.
However, the SPG web site pretty much lies about the benefit for a Gold with the statement below which is behind the misconception of many golds that they are entitled to an upgrade.
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Automatic Room Upgrades: As an elite member, you don't need to redeem Starpoints for a room upgrade --- you'll automatically be given a Preferred Room at check-in when available.
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The above implies to any reasonable person that you will be upgraded to a room that you would have needed points otherwise (hence no need to upgrade via points). But as far as I know, Golds are not eligible, as part of their benefits, an upgrade to any room that would have otherwise required points even if there is availability. Since points are not charged for assignment of "preferred rooms" to anyone, the claim above is false and misleading.
This is about the only issue where I am ashamed of SPG marketing. SPG has usually underpromised and overdelivered.