Originally Posted by
Kasupke
First of all: Upgrades are explicitly not applicable on points stays.
IHG Rewards Club Member Terms & Conditions ("Elite Membership" Nr. 4)
Given the fact that you want to redeem your points at a destination of very high interest - its very unlikely to expect an upgrade at pricey properties. Some times you get lucky, but with the new Spire status in place and again considering the planned destination, don't expect anything.
Furthermore: Platinum will give you close to nothing at the InterContinental brand as those hotels have their own loyalty program (Ambassador).
My advise: If you want to get the most out of your stays and the upgrades are really important to you, you should
a) consider just asking the hotel upfront if a paid(!!) upgrade of your room is possible or
b) if staying at InterContinental hotels consider buying the Ambassador status which gives you 1-category upgrade guaranteed each time you stay (price is 200 USD/year).
Thanks! I think we've settled on the Hotel Indigo rather than the Intercontinental, so I'll likely reach out to the hotel and just ask for a paid upgrade. (the only room bookable via points at their hotel is a "superior king" which is basically just a king room...can't even get two queens on points). One of our nights will be a Monday night, so perhaps we'll get lucky.
To anyone who's had experience doing this, what's the average cost for the upgrade? (we'd even be willing to upgrade to a deluxe queen with a city view, not a suite).
Also, do the same rules apply to the Chase Free Night certificate?