If I really, really want an upgrade on a points stay, the following is what I do. It should not be used regularly as your profile contains a lot of the contact you have with HH and hotels. But, for that occasional I have got to do the best I can here is the plan that works for me. I use it about once a year.

Fax the manager at the hotel using the published fax number. Request your upgrade giving your HH# and reservation number. Ask for a response and give email, phone, snail mail, cell, and anything else so they can not say they had no way top contact you. Say it is a special occasion and honestly say what it is. Ask that they contact you even if it can not be done so you will know.

When they do not reply within a few days, and in general they will not, send an email to [email protected], attach the text of your fax, and say you have not heard from the manager. All you want is am email address so you can contact the manager directly.

Every time I have done this I have gotten a call or email from the manager. A couple of times it was to say they were sold out and no upgrades were available. Fine, I understand that. Both times it was true as the properties were indeed booked solid. The other times I got upgrades beyond the standard upgrade.

I know what you might be thinking. Fax? In this day and age? Even more so in this day and age. They seldom get faxes and they create a quandary. They are paper and can not be just thrown away. Email and phone messages can be ignored. There is something about a sheet of paper that has power.

Good luck. No promises, but this has worked for me.