Originally Posted by
shadowline
I don't have a huge amount of experience with this, but have enjoyed this post. some seemingly logical/good info here.
This, however, is my favourite bit.
Originally Posted by
wizla
Some interesting points there mate, thought provoking.
Thank you to you both for your kind words!
Originally Posted by
scubaccr
OPs strategy simply will not work with the large majority of hoels. Further booking base room means NOR1 screens frequently never offer the higher category suites, which will only show up in NOR1 when booking Exec rooms and higher.
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yes at certain hotels that are elite (HHD) heavy, then if I want my suite the only option and way to go is to book Exec room, knowing in advance that booking entry level room, even with ticking NOR1 will NOT get HHD into a suite.
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My corporate rate is cancel upto 4pm on day of stay...... I have never not been upgraded when booking an exec room, but if that happened I would simply cancel/rebook entry level room during my checkin.
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PS
If I must have a particular room, ie Suite, then I book that Suite initially.
If a suite I particularly like at certain hotels eg Conrad Bangkok Terrace suite, I even type into additional info ... Please do not upgrade me I require this room type
Thanks for your response. I beg to differ on one point:
I've followed this strategy at two KL and two SG properties (I'm in the lounge at one of them now!) in the recent past. It has resulted in suites for a very reasonable upsell charge and no one seemed to bat an eyelid about it.
I quite agree that some hotels might have particularly zealous revenue managers but it has not been my experience in Asia. You have to remember: people gaming / arbitraging are a tiny minority of travelers; it doesn't necessarily make good business sense for hotels and airlines to obsess over them.
Just to clarify a couple of other things:
(a) Of course if you want a suite book one. But most people are happy with a room - a suite would be a nice bonus if free / the right price. Hence this strategy.
(b) As I stated, I'm not writing for people with substantial history at particular properties. I'm writing for the average flyertalk diamond who is showing up at a property for the first or second time and wants to maximise value.
(c) Regarding your corporate rate with a 4pm cancellation option, that's great, but most people don't have access to that.
(d) As I pointed out in my post, your 'book exec and hope for 1 cat upgrade to suite' strategy has a risk of significant downside if you're not upgraded, since you've then paid significantly more for a room that's likely little different to a standard room, given your entitlement to free EL access. If you're happy with this risk profile, then that's fair enough.