Hi all --

Wondering if this is worth the trouble or not.

I and my parents are planning an Asia (HK) trip, where my parents will arrive the day before me. So I'm thinking of booking an award stay (5 nights for 4 nights worth of points), and I book it with my Marriott Gold status (few real benefits, I know), but wondering if they will run into problems if I'm only arriving on the 2nd day? Are they likely to give any upgrade if I'm not there? Only until I show up?

I figure I make the booking under my name, and add their names by phone in advance. But will the troublesome first night cause the rest of the stay to receive less in room/other potential benefit compared to if I just made it a 4 night stay and found another hotel elsewhere for the 1st night?

I have read this about gifted award stays, but it's not quite applicable because I will be there, just starting the 2nd night.

Thanks!