Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I'm not a travel agent, but one obvious difference is that Virtuoso upgrades are often confirmed shortly after the reservation is made, while FHR (PTS) is normally upon arrival (which seems to really mean when the property preassigns rooms). (FHR tends to give Centurion (CTS) upgrades earlier and some hotels at times have an upgrade at booking as the property's special amenity.)
What evidence do you have to support the Virtuoso claim? Unless there's a special offer, Virtuoso's hotel program markets the room upgrade as "upon arrival, when available." Who says they confirm when the reservation is made? Centurion FHR has guaranteed upgrades at time of booking for St. Regis hotels, not sure it applies to any other Marriott FHR properties.