Originally Posted by
ffgap
Why do you think it is an excuse?
Maybe they have got 4 suites available which they are willing to sell on the app. But if they cannot sell them, they are willing to upgrade Ambassadors, Titanium, etc. to one of them.
But the number of elites may be considerably bigger than four. And how can you be sure you're sufficiently high in the pecking order to get one of them?
I do understand the source of your frustration. Clearly, some properties are playing games so some FT'ers consult the T&C or room-category availabilities in the app.
Nevertheless, I think it has been stated often enough on FT that room availability online can only be a weak indicator of actual upgrade inventories. (And, of course, you can only guess the other side of the equation, namely the number of high-level elites being eligible for such upgrades).
I certainly agree with your take.
I think people often think of upgrades like they do with flights. If a seat/room is available now, why can’t I have it?
But unlike flights that depart at the same time for everyone, people come and leave at all hours and the duration of stay is also variable. So just because a room is available for sale, doesn’t mean it’s either physically available (the guest might not have checked out yet or the room not cleaned) or available for you (some hotels may not want to give it to you if you are here for multiple nights or blocking it for someone else). Its complex enough that high end hotels usually have someone whose job is to manage room assignments. That’s why front desk can often appeared unable or unwilling to change rooms.