i’m a diamond who returned to hilton last year after several years of inactivity. i fully understand the devaluation, but am still rather shocked at some of the rates (points) being asked at full service hotels! nevertheless, i was able to book five nights in london at the paddington and another five nights at the waldorf at relatively affordable rates (all things considered) using a "DIA STANDARD RM RWD."

i’ve stayed at both properties before, but never since the devaluation and never since the standardization of benefits (more or less) and the implementation of the “estandby" upgrade program. the last time i stayed at either property as a diamond was five years ago. neither had a terribly good record for diamond upgrades back then, and based on what i’ve read lately, neither do now.

my confirmation emails both show an estandby upgrade opportunity at "£0 extra per night." i’ve never seen that before, since I stay at a lot of HGIs (or perhaps i've never noticed it in the confirmations for the full service properties). when I click through, it appears as if i can request a free (£0) one-category room upgrade.

here are my questions:

• do i have to go through this process in order to be considered for an upgrade? or is that just the standard hilton confirmation email that gets generated, but since i’m diamond, the upgrade rate is shown as zero pounds?

• if i don’t request an estandby upgrade, will that prevent me from getting a space-available “diamond” upgrade?

• and if i do go through this estandby process, does that prohibit me from leapfrogging into complimentary higher room categories or a suite upgrade? (I fully realize these would be on a space available basis and the properties have lackluster track records with regard to upgrades.)

i’m wondering if anybody has any recent experience at these two properties with regard to upgrades and the use of the estandby program.

many thanks.