Originally Posted by
damon88
At Marriott I typically use points for the stay (for a base room) and then (if I want a guaranteed upgrade at time of booking and do not want to chance SNAs or complimentary upgrade at arrival) negotiate with the hotel for a paid upgrade to a signature Suite.
Is the idea to contact the hotel and ask them what it would cost? Or do you have another approach?
Originally Posted by
damon88
At Hyatt my strategy is the opposite- I typically book the least expensive cash rate and then use 9K points per night to guarantee a Premium Suite.
Hyatt have told me that I must book a special rate (which is approximately the least expensive cash rate) in order to use 9k points to guarantee a premium suite. The difference seems to be that the special rate cannot be taken over by a travel agent in order to get Virtuoso or Hyatt Prive benefits. Have I been misinformed?