Originally Posted by
stimpy
Have you heard of stacking? If you book under one of those other programs, such as FHR, and also have Platinum or Diamond status, you can receive both the FHR and Accor benefits. I've done this many times with Starwood, Hilton, IHG, and once years ago when I was a Fairmont President member. In almost every case I receive a higher than normal upgrade too. So there is a very good reason to stay loyal to Accor and these other programs. You can greatly improve your hotel experience.
I fully agree - "stacking" the consortia benefits with status benefits can work great. I've done it hundreds of times.
But at the end of the day it very much depends on the property what you get from a "rate is eligible for an upgrade based on availability" + "upgrade to a better view, higher floor or the next room category based on status and subject to availability".