Did an FHR booking specifically for the likelihood of the FHR room-upgrade. At check-in was placed in same room category as was booked and furthermore did not have the "Partial Ocean View" as described but a "sliver" of view IF you stood out on the 1-person "Balcony" and craned your neck to the right. I asked about the FHR upgrade and was told they did not participate in that option, even though hotel welcome letter specifically called it out as a benefit. Hotel offered me a room with a true partial view for +$100 night upcharge, which I accepted knowing I would take this up with FHR.

To add insult to injury, the FHR $100 property credit became a credit that in the arrival welcome letter could not be used for the hotel main restaurant (where breakfast is served). I've done many FHR bookings and completely understand when it is only a spa credit and things like that. The FHR website had no carve-outs, nor did the emailed itinerary from FHR.

A small thing in the grand scheme but no welcome amenities (fruit, candy, wine, etc etc) whatsoever in the room. I'm the first to admit I have been spoiled rotten as a Hyatt Globalist in my 100+ nights this year in their properties and have come to expect this. Hilton Diamond is now apparently a dime a dozen (when everyone is elite, no one is elite). After three Hilton Conrad FHR stays in 2 months, having to fight at each to receive Diamond/FHR perks, I am now of the opinion I never want to stay a high-end Hilton again if I can possibly avoid it. The crap Hilton pulls NEVER happens to me with a Hyatt stay.

I realize this post could be placed in multiple categories, but many of us use FHR and have come to expect a certain treatment when doing so. I had a good talk last night with a FHR rep about the situation and she was a 100% professional and an advocate to help me. She called the property and spoke to them for about 10 minutes, but no one on duty wanted to offer solutions. So, pending resolution with the manager at the property this morning, let's see how it shakes out. The FHR rep was NOT happy with the experience and said if they did not fix things locally she would escalate it to the Hilton corp sales manager who liaises with the FHR program.

Based on my experiences, I hope AmEx and FHR remove Hilton Conrad properties from FHR as Hilton is just flat out scamming guests, no other way to say it. Interesting and inexplicable side note- I have been treated very well at non-Conrad Hilton properties! Go figure. Some of the "lower-end" Hilton properties have shocked me with good treatment.

Oh PS- I did not initially book the cheapest room in the hotel, I actually booked a mid/mid-high price point for the room, so not like I am expecting everything and initially paid nothing.

Hopefully my experience can help other posters navigate situations when FHR bookings go bad.

Cheers.