Originally Posted by
s0ssos
It is applicable to any rate you use, just not with points (you can do points and cash). The point is that you have to have a cash component.
Well, being able to do award+upgrade is actually a less-common feature in airline/hotel programs around the world. Starwood is great for this, although the inverse is usually what I want: the ability to book a cheap rate and then confirm a suite with points. (I'm not an SNA-level Plat anymore.)
For Intercontinental Ambassador the room upgrade is guaranteed only if you booked with cash. For points bookings you don't get any room upgrade.
That's a little frustrating in that it feels like they're withholding a core elite benefit from an award stay. Especially in that program where you pay for it upfront. In my thousand-plus MR/HH nights, I've enjoyed the fact that award stays aren't treated differently than paid stays as far as elite benefits go. It's just that elite benefits at those places don't include suites at all. (A few rare Marriott properties do have true-suite upgrade awards. Don't see them that often though...) The basic level of "room upgrading" (nicer rooms, higher floors, exec level, good views, etc.) isn't impacted by how the stay is paid for.
In any case, I think there are still a lot of great points about Hyatt Diamond even if award+upgrade isn't a (confirmable) part of the program.