Originally Posted by DUflyer

Assume you book the highest room category that is available at the time of your booking, but the hotel has higher room categories. What is the hotel supposed to do when your upgrade is guaranteed?
They can downgrade another guest to give you their room or walk another guest. Guaranteeing an upgrade that is not available doesn't work.

That's why they should offer an upgrade if available at time of booking. If unavailable, they could upgrade as soon as it becomes available, or only charge you for the room category one below what you booked if no upgrade is available.

The new "benefit" (stay credits don't expire if you renew) they give us in return for the lost upgrade is quite ridiculous. First of all, that has always been the case and secondly who cares. What would be a real benefit is if the complimentary nights don't expire if membership gets renewed.